PSAT Tutoring

PSAT Overview

The PSAT is a shorter version of the SAT that most students take in October of their junior year. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT is offered only once a year, and it's not a college entrance test. Instead, it's primarily used to qualify high achieving students for National Merit recognition. Some schools have freshmen and sophomores take the PSAT for practice, but those scores cannot be used for National Merit qualification.

Starting in the fall of 2023, the PSAT will change to a digital format. 

National Merit

The PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), and some students prepare for the PSAT in hopes of earning National Merit recognition as a Semifinalist or Commended Student.

A very high score (top ½ percent in the state) can qualify a student as a National Merit Semifinalist. A Semifinalist may choose to complete an application process to become a Finalist and possibly win scholarship money. Some colleges also give partial or full scholarships to students who achieve either Semifinalist or Finalist recognition. If a student scores just below the Semifinalist cut-off, they will be named a Commended Student. This is a great honor (and looks fantastic on college applications!), but no additional activities/honors are offered at this level. For more information about National Merit recognition, please visit their website.

Why Nurturing Wisdom?

For over a decade Nurturing Wisdom has helped students prepare for the PSAT. Our tutors are skilled at customizing instruction for each student, something that is especially important when students are aiming for such high scores. Does your child need more help with math and less with reading? We can do that! Our individualized approach ensures that your child will earn their best possible PSAT score.

We'll also be candid with you. When your child takes our pre-test, we’ll be honest about whether or not we think their pre-test score is high enough to justify doing PSAT preparation. If we think their score is too low to reach any level of National Merit recognition, we'll say so at that point. Of course, students are still welcome to prepare for the test if they choose.

We want you to feel supported during this process! Your tutoring director will walk you through a customized tutoring timeline, update you on progress, alert you to important deadlines, and answer any questions you have along the way.

Our Approach to the PSAT

To help students perform to their best ability, we address four core competencies in our PSAT tutoring: test taking strategies, academic skills, pacing, and test anxiety. Addressing these areas through PSAT tutoring lays a strong groundwork for other standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT.

Testing Accommodations

Nurturing Wisdom has successfully worked with hundreds of students approved for testing accommodations. Our tutors are experts in how to support students with accommodations such as extended time, multiple day testing, a reader, a writer, or other alternate test formats.

First Step

All students begin by taking a PSAT pre-test. Based on our score analysis, the tutoring timeline will indicate whether or not National Merit recognition is realistic, goal scores, and the number of tutoring sessions we recommend.

Sign up for one of our proctored pre-tests, a great opportunity to get a feel for the real test day. If you're unable to make a proctored test date, you can take a free practice pre-test on your own!

When to Start

We recommend that students take a PSAT pre-test early in the summer before their junior year. That way, they have plenty of time to prepare, especially when scheduling around summer vacations, camps, and other activities. Junior year is hectic, so it helps to get in test prep rhythm before going back to school!

Online Tutoring

If you live outside of the Chicagoland area, we can still help! We love working one-on-one with students online to help them achieve their goals. Contact us to learn more!