On Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, many students plan to take the preliminary SAT, more commonly called the PSAT. Many refer to it as PSAT Day.

More than half of the students in the school are expected to participate in the test. Test coordinator Jennifer Hyland, who runs the Academic Enrichment Program, said, “[The test] will be for all 9th graders and 10th graders, and 11th graders can choose to take it as a National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.”

All students that plan to report to school on Wednesday will be assigned a room to take the test. Hyland said, “In the past we had some students take it in classrooms, and some students were set up in the wood gym. All students will be assigned a location.”

Ninth graders and tenth graders do not need to prepare for this test at all, but some eleventh graders may need to in preparing for their senior year. “11th graders should prepare if they want to see where they stand, in getting ready to take the SAT. The best way to do it would be to link up your 10th-grade scores with Khan Academy, and it will customize a practice program for you,” Hyland said.

Hyland said that the content featured on this test is similar to the content featured on the SAT. Hyland explained, “It’ll have four sections: two sections of math—one with a calculator and one without a calculator—a reading section, and a writing & language section.”

Once all students are finished with their test, Hyland said that all students will be released, which is much earlier than the typical release time.

Since this day will not run like a typical school day, seniors will have the day off. Hyland said, “Seniors don’t have to report to school that day, [so they have time] to work on their college applications.”

The significance of one’s score depends on their grade level. “For 9th graders and 10th graders, we’re just looking for growth, how much growth [they have had] overtime. If 11th graders score high enough, they can potentially see college scholarship opportunities,” Hyland said.

This test has a long history. It has been administered for every year that Hyland has taught here. “I even took it when I was a student—that’s how long it’s been going on for,” she said.

Hyland urged all students not to stress over this test but simply to try their best on Wednesday.