It is time to register for the PSAT test. Most 9th-11th grade students at Central Magnet take the PSAT each year. Please see the important information below if you would like for your high school student to take this test.
PSAT 2025 Information
* Registration Period: Wednesday, August 20-Wednesday, September 3. We must follow this deadline in order to register the students by the College Board deadline.
* Who: Students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade
* Where to Register: Attendance office (See Mrs. Hogue if you need assistance) or register with payment online (details below).
* Cost: $18.00 if paying cash or check in attendance/ Make checks payable to Central Magnet School (CMS)/ Must pay in full for registration to be final. If registering and paying online, a convenience fee will be added to payment.
This is the link to pay online. Please register using your child's name in the registration, not the parent name. https://rcschools.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/26006/289/False/True
* Fee Waivers: 11th Grade Students that are on Free or Reduced Lunch can receive a fee waiver per College Board guidelines/ Register with Ms. Hogue in the attendance office.
* Test Date: Tuesday, October 21
Late Registrations cannot be taken due to ordering deadlines.
Please Note: Payment ($18) will be collected in the Attendance Office with Kelli Hogue August 20-September 3. The online link will close at 11:59 p.m. on 9/03.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the PSAT?
PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
It is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test, a test you may take to get into college. It also gives students a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship programs, open to qualifying juniors.
The test has three sections on it: critical reading skills, math, and language.
The test is about 2½ hours long and will be given on Tuesday, October 21 at Central Magnet School. There are no make-up dates. The test is a digital test and students should bring their school issued laptop to school on test day. All students should have a device by test day.
2. Who should take the PSAT?
All 10th and 11th grade students and interested 9th graders should take the PSAT.
3. Why should all 10th and 11th graders take the PSAT?
11th grade students can win BIG scholarship money – full rides – if they qualify in the National Merit competition simply by taking this test. There is also a special scholarship known as the National Achievement Scholarship for African American high-score achievers on this test.
The PSAT test is essential practice for the SAT. Students who take the PSAT do better on the SAT.
Colleges and scholarship agencies get students’ score reports and immediately begin recruiting them.
The College Board, who makes the test, offers a FREE service to PSAT takers to assist them in finding colleges and scholarships.
10th graders should take the PSAT to practice for their junior year when they will compete to earn the National Merit Scholarship. This also is good practice for other standardized tests. We use the results to help students make decisions on AP class scheduling for 11th grade.
4. Should 9th grade students take the PSAT?
Yes, if interested! This is excellent practice for all standardized tests. The results also help us in making scheduling decisions for 10th grade.
5. How can students sign up?
The cost is $ 18.00 – cash or check made out to Central Magnet School and brought to the Attendance Office or you may pay online (with a small convenience fee added). If paying online, please make sure you register with your student's name. Here is the link to pay online https://rcschools.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/26006/289/False/True
The deadline to sign up and pay is Wednesday, September 3. We cannot take late payments due to deadlines set by College Board.
6. How can students study for the PSAT?
According to the College Board, the best way to prepare is to take the most challenging courses you can in high school. Khan Academy has also partnered with the College Board and students can practice on Khan Academy.
There will be a PSAT review date on September 29 during the school day.
You can get study tips and download practice tests at this website:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scholarships-and-recognition
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/practice
If you have other questions concerning the PSAT, please email me at [email protected].