PSAT/NMSQT is not a disease, no matter how much is sounds like it. It’s a the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, and it means lots of scholarship money for lots of students.

The process for MSMS students is that students take the test in the fall of their Junior year (this year it will be Oct. 19), and their tests will be sent to the national testing center. This score will be stored for at least 11 months until their announcement date September of their senior year. 36,000 of the predicted 50,000 scores will receive letters of commendation, praising them for academic achievement, but only 16,000 (approximately one third) of the tests receive National Merit Semifinalist. The semifinalists then apply for the title of National Merit Finalist, of which 93.5% of  which receive the title.which are released at a later date.

Twelve students from MSMS achieved the title of National Merit Semifinalists: Nayan Chawla,Daniel Cieslinski, Chris Colley, Raven Ferguson, Braeden Foldenauer, Emily Hook, Haley Hsu, Uriah Jenkins, Sutton Klein, Alex Leise, Lauryn Smith and Andy Zhao.

The preparation for the test next year has already started. Junior Gabby Kennedy prepares by “using resources online, and pretests given in Hooper lobby and focusing on the math section.”.

Haley Hsu, a senior National Merit Semifinalist said that she “ate an Omelette that morning. It really helped me wake up.” adding “going to this school is enough preparation already. The class rigor here really helps you on answering test quickly.”

The next PSAT will be held October 13, 2016.