Recently, freshman, sophomores and juniors at Bridgewater-Raritan High School joined millions of students across the country in taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT). The roughly three-hour test was administered on October 24.

The PSAT is a standardized test that high school students typically take in their sophomore or junior year. It is designed to measure skills in reading, writing and math that are important for success in college.

For juniors, the PSAT also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). High-scoring students on the PSAT can become National Merit Semifinalists, which provides opportunities for scholarships and recognition. Last year, several BRHS students received National Merit recognition, continuing the school’s strong academic tradition.

The PSAT is considered a practice exam for the SAT, which is a college admission test. By taking the PSAT, students can get familiar with the format and content of the SAT, and identify areas where they may need more preparation.

Junior Paritosh Bhole recalls his feelings towards the test. “The PSAT was a great preparation for the actual exam and it gave many students an accurate idea of their ability on tests like the SAT,” he said.

Sophomore Anna Gu also provided her insight on her experience. “I was pretty nervous going into the PSAT since I’d never taken this version before, but it actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” she said.

While sophomores and freshman took the test primarily for practice, many found value in the experience. The PSAT serves as a way to understand what to expect on the actual SAT. It can be a beneficial way for students to identify areas where they might need more preparation.

Students are now able to access their scores through their College Board accounts.