b'28The PSATThe PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) assesses reading, math, and writing skills, and provides practice for the SAT. Why take it: Your report provides feedback about your test results and customized SAT study plans.In addition, your score on the PSAT/NMSQT could qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship or otherHarcum Collegescholarship programs.When to take it: In the fall of 9th and/or 10th grade. Check with your school to see when the test will Test Optionalbe administered. To learn more, visit Many colleges and universities have adoptedwww.collegeboard.org. test-optional admissions policies. This means that some of the schools you are applying to will notTest Accommodations require you to submit standardized testscoresas part of your application. However, if you areStudents with documented disabilities are eligible forwell prepared and able to take the SAT/ACTaccommodations on both the SAT and ACT, as well and obtaina strong score, this will provide youas the PSAT. Learn more about eligibility requirementswith the most college options. A strong score isand how to request accommodations by visiting considered within the average range of the collegewww.act.org or www.collegeboard.org and to which you are applying. You may be required to searching accommodations. submit test scores to obtain institutional merit-based financial aid. Check each of the colleges you areapplying to for their most up-to-date testing policiesAverage Test Scoresin regard to both admissionsand financial aid.Have Gone Up One of the impacts of test-optional When to Take the SAT/ACTStrategize foradmissions policies has been anIf you are taking AP courses, remember that thereincrease in the average test scoreswill be an AP exam toward the end of the school year. of admitted students. Keep this in mind when assessing Try to avoid taking the SAT or ACT too close to ana colleges fit and determining whether or not to submit AP exam, so that you are only studying for one examyour test scores.Strategize for at a time. Check with your high school to see if the test is adminstered at your school.The Digital SATThe SAT is administered at test sites and students take the test on laptop computers. You might use a laptop provided by your school, or you might need to bring your own laptop. If you are bringing your own laptop, you will need to follow instructions to download the test onto your advice. Those instructions will beprovided to you from the College Board after you register for the SAT. If you are using your own laptop, Cheyney University dont forget to bring a charger on test day.'