PSAT Registration

How to Register for PSAT

PSAT is a standardized test held in October every year. The test is conducted primarily for scholarships. Many students appear for the test because it allows them to secure the National Merit scholarships and other company and college sponsored scholarships to fund their college education. The scores can be used to estimate your performance in the SAT. Appearing for the PSAT is a trial run for those students aiming for the SAT.

PSAT Test and Registration

This test is administered in high schools in your area; it is not conducted at test centers. The registration procedure is different from the SAT registration procedure. The College Board website does not facilitate registration. Instead, you need to meet your school counsellor or principal and inform them that you are interested to appear for the test. You will be informed about the registration process and fees required at the time of registration. The registration fee is $14. Make sure that you find out about your eligibility for fee waivers. After paying the fees, you will be signed up at your school for the test on the designated dates. There is no online registration available. Thus, it is important that you meet your school counsellor immediately after your school announces the schedule.

Remember to Check the Date

Schools can administer the test on only one date. It is conducted on a Wednesday and Saturday. Remember to check the date when your school is administering the test. If you plan to take the test on a Wednesday, make sure that your school is administering the test on Wednesday so that your registration is confirmed for your selected date.

If Your School Does Not Administer PSAT

If your school does not administer this test, you can look up another high school near your area to take the test. You can use the “PSAT/NMSQT High School Search” to search for schools in your area that offer the test: https://psatordering.collegeboard.com/pno/public/search.do and then approach the school for registration.

If You Are Home-Schooled

If you are a home-schooled applicant, you need to contact the high school in your area for registration. You can use the “High School Search tool” to search for schools offering the test. Contact the counselor or principal at a local public or independent high school to register yourself for the test at their school. It is advisable to begin the process early, preferably in June, so that you can appear for the test in mid-October. All students appearing for the test need to fill in a basic information form on the test day. If you are a home-schooled student, your test supervisor will provide the school code; ensure that you enter the school code correctly in the “school code” section. This is because your score reports will be mailed to you at your home address.

If You Are A Student Outside the U.S.

If you are a student outside the U.S., you will need an English-speaking educator at a nearby school that administers the test. The educator will help you for registration, paying test fee and receiving your copy of the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT.

If you are a U.S. student and are temporarily located abroad, you need to provide the following information on your answer sheet:

  • Name, address and code number of your U.S. school
  • Name and address of the school where you are taking the test

Your score report will be mailed to your U.S. high school. In case you are not present in the country when the test scores are released (late November), you can request your principal or school counselor to forward your score report to you.

Miscellaneous Information

If you are in your junior year and you missed the test, you still have time to appear for the test next year. If you are unable to appear for the test or miss the test, you can enter programs conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) if you meet the requirements to enter the competition. For more information about the competitions, see the Official Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT or visit the NMSC website. You can also request for an alternate testing after the October test. To do this, you must write to the NMSC immediately after the test is conducted, and your request must reach them before 1st March following the test.

Students with disabilities can apply for accommodation facilities to appear for the test. For more information about the eligibility criteria, applying for accommodations, the important dates and documentation required, see the following website: http://www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student/index.html.