Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test - Take the Practice Test - Test-Taking Strategies

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Practice guidance for the full-length PSAT/NMSQT, covering the five-section format and timing: 25 minutes for Sections 1-4 and 30 minutes for Section 5. Includes scoring rules for correct, omitted, and wrong answers for multiple-choice and math questions, plus advice on guessing, pacing, and marking procedures. Provides instruction on answer-sheet marking, using a No. 2 pencil, grid accuracy, checking within a completed section, and preparation steps such as taking the entire practice test and reviewing results.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

TAKE THE PRACTICE TEST

TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

Practice with this full-lengthPSAT/NMSQT° # Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test TimingThe PSAT/NMSQTO has five sections.You will have 25 minutes each forSections 1-4 and 30 minutes for Section 5.ScoringFor each correct answer,you receive one point.For questions you omit,youreceive no points.For a wrong answer to a multiple-choice question,you losea quarter (4)of a point.For a wrong answer to a math question that is notmultiple choice,you do not lose any points.Guessinglf you can eliminate one or more choices as wrong,you increase your chances of choosing the correct answer and earning one point.If you can't eliminateany choices,move on.You can return to the question later if there is time.MarkingYou must mark all of your answers on your answer sheet to receive credit.AnswersMake sure each mark is dark and completely fills the circle.If you erase,doso completely.You may write in the test book,but you won't receive credit foranything you write there. The best way toget ready for thePSAT/NMSQTis to take thepractice test.Find time! CheckingYou may check your work on a particular section if you finish it before time isAnswers called,but you may not turn to any other section. DO NOT OPEN THE TEST BOOK UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO! Unauthorized reproduction or use of any part of this test is prohibited. # Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Cosponsored by CollegeBoard/ SCHOLARSHITP CORPORATION 4FPT1 ## TAKE THE PRACTICE TEST Take the practice test on the following pages to become familiar with the kinds of questions(critical reading,mathematics andwriting skills)on the PSAT/NMSQT.The test you take in October will be similar,containing 5 sections:critical reading questions in2 sections,mathematics questions in 2 sections and writing skills questions in 1 section. Set aside time to take the entire test;youll need about 2 hours and 10 minutes.Use the practice answer sheet on pages 3 and 4.Have your calculator available for the math sections.After the test,check your answers to see how you scored. ## TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES Try these out when you take the practice test: ■ Expect easy questions at the beginning of each setof sentence completion questions (in the criticalreading sections)and math questions.Within aset,questions generally get harder as you go along.However,sets of passage-based reading questions(in the critical reading sections)and writing skillsquestions are not necessarily arranged by difficulty. ■ Earn as many points as you can on easy questions.For each correct answer you receive one point,nomatter how hard or easy the questions are.Beware ofcareless errors on questions you know how to answer.咖You don’t have to answer every question.You can dowell even though you omit some questions.B Work steadily.Don’t waste time on a question thatis hard for you.If you can’t answer it,mark it in yourtest book and go on.Go back to it later if there istime.Bring a watch with you to help with pacing. GET CREDIT FOR ALL YOU KNOW ▶ Use a No.2 pencil. Follow instructions for grids. ▶Mark only one answer to each question.▶ Make dark marks and fill circlescompletely. Erase completely if you change aresponse. ■ Try guessing when you can eliminate at least oneanswer to a multiple-choice question. ■ Mark your answers in the correct row of circleson the answer sheet.Be especially careful if youskip questions. ■ Write your answers to math questions 29-38in the boxes above the circles.Then enter youranswer accurately and as completely as the grid willaccommodate.You MUST grid the correct answerin the circles to receive credit.If the correct answeris written above the grid,but the incorrect circles aremarked,the answer is incorrect.A common mistakeis marking two circles in the same column,so be sureto double-check your grids.You do not lose pointsfor a wrong answer to a Student-Produced Response Question. ANSWER SHEET Name

FAQs

What are the timing limits for each PSAT/NMSQT section?

Sections 1-4 allow 25 minutes each, while Section 5 allows 30 minutes.

How does scoring work for correct, omitted, and wrong answers?

A correct answer earns 1 point. Omitted questions earn no points. Wrong answers to multiple-choice questions lose one quarter of a point.

What marking rules must be followed on the answer sheet?

Marks must be dark and fully fill the circles. Erase completely if you change a response, and be careful to mark only one answer per question and use the correct grid cells.

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick