What is the latest format of PSAT/NMSQT exam?
Certification: Test Prep PSAT - Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test / NMSQT
For some time now, PSAT/NMSQT has been administered to high school students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and the College Board. There are so many reasons that many students take his exam, mainly to assess skills and also to qualify for the scholarship program that the National Merit Scholarship Corporation offers. The format of the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying is that complicated and has not changed much over the years. The exam started first of all by testing the applicant in the fields of Math and Verbal skills before 1997. Later on a section on writing skills was introduced. These are the main sections of the PSAT/NMSQT. The format of the exam is simple. To be able to take the exam one needs to register for the exam through a school which is a member of the College Board. The Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test has mainly three sections, the Critical Reading, Math and the Writing Skills section. The questions asked are mainly multiple-choices but there are ten questions which are open-response in the math section, which require the applicant to enter their answer on a grid. Unlike most standardized exams, candidates are allowed to use a calculator in the math sections.
The Latest Format of the PSAT/NMSQT exam
The latest format of the PSAT/NMSQT includes the following:
- One 30 minute Writing Skills section
- One-Math section (divided into 2 parts)
- One Critical Reading Section (also divided into 2 parts)
These are the sections that are comprised in the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The total time that is allocated to the exam is two hours and ten minutes.
The following is the current format of the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test:
- Math Section
Similar to the Critical Reading section, the math section also has two sections. The entire section is awarded 50 minutes, and each of the two sections is given 25 minutes. Each of the two section in the math section test for different skills in the applicant. The first section comprises of a total of 28 questions of multiple-choices. This section mainly assesses skill and content in various topics including, probability, and statistics, geometry and measurement, number and operations, algebra and data analysis. The second section in the math part comprises of a total of ten students produced response questions. This should be answered in a grid. The skills assessed in this section include the following geometry and measurement, statistics, number and operation, algebra and functions and probability. By understanding the topics to be tested din the math sections, one can adequately prepare for the exam.
- Critical Reading
This is one of the sections of the PSAT/NMSQT. It examines various skills and ability of the applicant. This section comprises of two parts. The total time allocated to the Critical Reading section is 50 minutes, and since it is divided into two sections, each section is allotted 25 minutes each. In one of the sections there is a total of 13 sentences, which are completion questions. Here the candidate is mainly tested on different contents, which include vocabulary and also the ability for one to understand the logic of complex sentences. The other section is composed of 35 questions, which are reading passage questions. One is required to read and interpret what the author is trying to pass in the passages. Once one understands the skills covered in this topic they will be able to perform well and score a high score in this section.
- Writing Section
This is one section and is not divided. The Writing section is awarded 30 minutes for the entire section. This section has several different parts of questions. There is a section of 20 improving sentences questions which mainly assess skills in grammar usage. Another section of 14 questions concerned with identifying sentence errors and also skills in grammar and usage. The other part is of 5 questions, which are based on improving paragraphs, here the candidate is assessed on writing and revision skills. This section mainly handles with issues which have to do with grammar and correct sentence construction. The questions that are asked in the Writing Skills section are mainly to measures the applicants ability to express their ideas when it comes to standard written English, and also to familiarize themselves with the structure of sentences.
These is the latest and current format of the PSAT/NMSQT exam. There is much reason that students find it very necessary to sit for this exam. It is an ideal exam that can determine one's career and future especially by guiding them into the college that they will choose. When planning to undertake the PSAT/NMQST one needs to get the right kind of preparation material. There are several ways that one can prepare for this exam. The College Board provides an ideal student guide for the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The student guide offers three main sections, test taking help, information about the NMSC Scholarship programs and also the full length practice test. These is what you wold need adequately to prepare for the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
The main point of preparation is getting will oriented with the exam so that you perform your level best. The score of the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is usually reported on a scale of 20 to 80. On the report, the Selection Index is also listed. This is used to determine the students' eligibility in the NMSC programs. The Selection Index is the sum of the scores that you get in the three sections in the exam. It ranges from 60 to 240. The current format is ideal for preparation for college life for most students in high school.