Cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) gives numerous opportunities and advantages to students who take the test.

The PSAT is a test specifically developed in order to help students prepare for the SAT. The SAT is a test many colleges require students to take when applying to their school.

Gifted and talented advocate and english teach Andy Wilkes believes that the PSAT is very helpful to students.

“ The PSAT is a low-stakes chance to take a standardized test under real circumstances.”

The PSAT measures critical reading, math problem solving, and writing skills. The feedback from the test will show students their strengths and weaknesses in these areas, helping students find what they need to focus on more or less for the SAT.

Junior Tyler Schlegel believes that the PSAT is a great opportunity for students.

“One of the advantages to taking the PSAT is to get your mind ready and to get a mindset of what it might be like to take the SAT,” Schlegel said.

Juniors are at a particular advantage if they take the test, because they will enter the competition for scholarships up to $2,500 from the NMSC. The PSAT is the only opportunity to compete for the scholarship.

All students registered for the PSAT will take the test Oct. 17 during hours 1-4.