The PSATs are given on the 3rd Saturday of October at Santa Monica High School. Signups typically take place at Registration, but you may register up to 1 week before the test in the S House office (L200). The cost is $32.00. Your room number is written on your receipt.

Plan to arrive in your assigned testing location no later than 8:00am; testing will begin promptly at 8:15am. No one will be admitted to a room once testing has begun. IMPORTANT MESSAGE! The following materials are prohibited: cell phones must be turned off and put away, iPods, headphones, alarm watches, protractors, compasses, rulers, stencils, dictionaries (including those used to translate English to another language) or other books, pamphlets, papers of any kind, highlighters, colored pens or pencils, or listening, recording, copying, or photographic devices, and other aids. You may bring bottled water, NO food will be permitted in the testing room.

You must have your receipt and a photo ID to take the PSAT exam. Bring several sharpened #2 pencils. You may bring a calculator (it must be a quiet type; no beeping, talking or other noises). Cell phone calculators will not be allowed. Refunds will be given only if a “Request for Refund” form is filed before October 03, 2014. Pick up the request for refund form from the S House Office L200.

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
The PSAT/NMSQT measures:

• critical reading skills
• math problem-solving skills
• writing skills

You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes.

The most common reasons for taking the PSAT are:

• to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
• to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
• to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.