PSAT

www.collegeboard.com/quickstart
www.collegeboard.com/parents

The PSAT/NMSQT will be given at Slidell High School on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying exam that students must take in order to enter scholarship programs conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Participants in competitions for scholarships offered in their senior year must take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of their Junior year in order to qualify. Students who will graduate in May of 2011 must take the PSAT this year (fall of 2009) in order to qualify.

The National Merit Scholarship Program was established in 1955. National Merit administers a number of competitions for recognition and scholarships for organizations and corporations. High-achieving Hispanic and African-American high school Juniors may also enter other programs that give special recognition. Taking the PSAT is the first step in the application process for these awards.

Students also take the PSAT/NMSQT to help in planning for college, in practicing for college admissions tests, in selecting a college, and in financing a college education. Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT receive free access to My College QuickStart, a personalized online college planning kit, and MyRoad, a comprehensive major and career exploration tool that includes a personality profiler to help students find programs that fit their interests.

Sophomores interested in the scholarship opportunities should take the test for practice this year, as the test is only administered once a year, in the fall.

Sign up with Ms. Reeves in Guidance beginning September 1, 2009. Students should report to the SHS Cafeteria by 8:15 on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Students are responsible for supplying their own calculator. Students must register by Tuesday, September, 22 to be assured a spot on the test roster. The cost of the test is $20.00. Further information will be provided to the students when they register.