Homeschoolers, Don't Forget to Take the PSAT

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

09 Oct 2009 07:41 AM

My family almost completely overlooked the PSAT. I figured they are taking CLEP exams, and the SAT, what reason could they possibly have to take the PSAT, a practice test for the SAT.

The problem is that the PSAT is so much more than a practice test for the SAT. It is a test that when taken in the Junior year of high school, can qaulify a student for the National Merit Scholarship.

Students who score high on the PSAT are then eligible to compete for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarchip Corportation.

Of course, every homeschooler will not qualify to be a national merit scholar just as every public school student also won't. However taking the PSAT does prepare you for the SAT and points out your strengths and weaknesses so you can adjust your education to improve your future SAT scores.

If your college bound student has no idea where to start looking, by checking the "yes" option for the Student star Service on the PSAT, students will begin to receive information on colleges that they may be a fit for.

Students are also allowed to take the PSAT before the 11th grade, but only the scored from the 11th grade are used for National Merit Scholar consideration. A test taken in the 10th grade would be considered a dry run.

If you liked this you should also read my blogs at the home blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here.

Also read:

* Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary?

*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.

College Bound Homeschoolers, Check out the College Board Website

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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