PSAT scores are in, and for families of high school students, this is an important opportunity to start making decisions about college admissions testing. Whether your student is a junior preparing for the SAT or ACT, a sophomore considering National Merit opportunities, or a freshman who took the PSAT 8/9, understanding these results can help you plan the next steps. For juniors, especially, now is the time to turn PSAT results into a testing strategy. Here's what parents should know for every grade.
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JUNIORS: Four Important Steps to Take Right Now
For the Class of 2028, the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT provides two valuable pieces of information: an indication of SAT readiness and the Selection Index used to determine eligibility for National Merit recognition.
1. Understand Your Student's PSAT Score
The PSAT/NMSQT is scored on a scale of 320–1520, with two sections:
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Reading and Writing: 160–760
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Math: 160–760
The PSAT and SAT use a common score scale, making PSAT results useful for estimating how a student might perform on the SAT if taken at approximately the same time. But remember: A PSAT score is not a prediction of your student's highest possible SAT score. Students can improve through continued academic development, familiarity with the exam, and targeted preparation. When reviewing scores, look beyond the total. Understanding whether Reading and Writing or Math offers the greatest opportunity for improvement is an important first step.
2. Check Your Student's National Merit Selection Index
For juniors, the PSAT/NMSQT is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Your student's score report includes a Selection Index, calculated by doubling the Reading and Writing score, adding the Math score, and dividing by 10. Students may qualify for one of two major distinctions:
National Merit Commended Students: Approximately 34,000 students nationwide receive recognition for their strong PSAT performance.
National Merit Semifinalists: Approximately 16,000 students qualify nationwide, with qualifying Selection Index scores varying by state.
For students who tested in October 2026, recognition will be announced in September 2027. Although the official qualifying scores won't be known until next fall, reviewing your student's Selection Index can help you assess the likelihood of recognition. National Merit qualification is based on the junior-year PSAT/NMSQT, not a student's SAT or ACT score. Students who missed the qualifying PSAT because of qualifying circumstances may be eligible for an alternate entry process under National Merit Scholarship Corporation rules.
3. Determine Whether the SAT or ACT Is the Better Test
This is one of the most important decisions juniors can make after receiving PSAT scores. Many families assume that because their student took the PSAT, they should automatically prepare for the SAT. Not necessarily! The SAT and ACT measure many of the same academic skills, but their structures, timing, and question styles differ. Some students perform significantly better on one test than the other. Before investing time and money in preparation, we recommend that students compare their PSAT results with a full-length ACT diagnostic test. This comparison can help families determine:
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Which test offers the strongest starting point
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Where the greatest opportunities for improvement exist
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Which exam better matches the student's testing strengths
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How to create an efficient preparation plan
Our philosophy at Seeley Test Pros/LEAP is simple: Prepare for the test that gives your student the best opportunity to succeed, not just the test offered at your school.
4. Create a Testing Timeline for Spring 2027
Junior year moves quickly, and spring testing dates will arrive sooner than many families expect. Ideally, students should complete their first official SAT or ACT during junior year, leaving time for additional testing if necessary. Our recommended timeline:
November–December 2026: Review PSAT results, take an ACT diagnostic, and select a test.
December 2026–February 2027: Begin structured preparation based on individual strengths and weaknesses.
February - April 2027: Take an official SAT or ACT.
June - October 2027: Retest if needed to improve scores before college application deadlines.
There are several advantages to completing testing before senior year. Students can concentrate on college applications, essays, and schoolwork rather than juggling test preparation with application deadlines. And remember, SAT and ACT scores may be valuable for more than college admission. At many colleges, strong scores can also help students qualify for merit scholarships. Our advice for juniors: Don't wait until spring to begin planning. The decisions you make now can make the testing process less stressful and more productive.
SOPHOMORES: Your PSAT Results Are a Roadmap for Junior Year
For sophomores, the PSAT provides an early indication of academic strengths and areas for improvement. Unlike juniors, sophomores generally do not need to rush into official SAT or ACT testing. However, there is one important exception: Students with National Merit potential should start thinking about next October's PSAT/NMSQT now. The PSAT/NMSQT taken in October 2027 will be the qualifying exam for most students in the Class of 2029. That gives current sophomores approximately 11 months to strengthen their skills. Students who are already performing at a high level may benefit from targeted PSAT preparation during the spring or summer before junior year. One important consideration: National Merit Selection Index calculations give Reading and Writing twice the weight of Math. This means preparation strategies should account for more than the total PSAT score. For other sophomores, the best next steps are to review their score reports, identify areas of academic weakness, and continue building strong reading, writing, and math skills. Our advice for sophomores: Use this year's results to plan ahead, particularly if National Merit recognition is a goal.
FRESHMEN: Use the PSAT 8/9 to Build a Strong Foundation
If your freshman took the PSAT 8/9, these results provide an early snapshot of academic readiness. The PSAT 8/9 uses a 240–1440 score scale, compared with the PSAT/NMSQT's 320–1520 scale. At this stage, parents should focus less on the total score and more on the skills that need strengthening. Does your student need additional support in algebra, reading comprehension, or grammar? Identifying these weaknesses early provides an opportunity to address them before more demanding high school coursework. For most freshmen, intensive SAT or ACT preparation is unnecessary. Instead, encourage strong academic habits, challenging coursework, and consistent development of reading and math skills. Our advice for freshmen: Think of the PSAT 8/9 as a starting point, not a measure of future college admissions success.
THREE THINGS ALL PARENTS SHOULD REMEMBER
1. PSAT scores are not reported to colleges as part of admissions decisions. They are primarily tools for measuring readiness and, for the junior-year PSAT/NMSQT, determining National Merit eligibility.
2. Your student has opportunities to improve. Continued academic development and thoughtful test preparation can make a meaningful difference in future performance.
3. There is no one-size-fits-all testing strategy. The best approach depends on your student's grade, academic strengths, college goals, and testing timeline.
LET'S MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR STUDENT
At Seeley Test Pros/LEAP, we've spent more than 30 years helping students make informed decisions about standardized testing and college admissions. Whether your junior needs to decide between the SAT and ACT, your sophomore is pursuing National Merit recognition, or your freshman needs to strengthen academic skills, we can help. We offer SAT and ACT diagnostic testing, individual tutoring, small-group preparation courses, National Merit-focused PSAT preparation, and flexible online options. The PSAT is a starting point. What your student does next matters. Reach out to us to learn how we can help you determine the appropriate next step for your student.
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