Depending on grade, opted-in students will take either the SAT or PSAT on Wednesday, October 15.
The PSAT helps students familiarize themselves with the types of questions on the SAT and puts top-scorers in the pool for the National Merit Scholarship. For some seniors, this is the final opportunity to improve their scores before early college application deadlines in November.
“I’ve been devoting my time into studying to help my college application look good,” Senior Noor Jones said. “I want to get into my dream school and I want to make my parents proud.”
The upcoming tests have induced stress for some students like Aman Chhina.
“I’m nervous about taking the PSAT because it’s the first time I’m taking one of these tests, and I’m worried I might do bad,” Chhina said.
Jones agrees.
“Leading up to the SAT is so stressful,” Jones said. “It’s just study, study, study. But once I take my SAT, I feel a sense of relief.”
Jones said she prepared using Khan Academy and her friend’s books, similar to Chhina.
“I feel prepared,” Chhina said. “I’ve been working in SAT books for awhile and studying for the test.”
While some students might be taking PSAT for practice, others are seeking to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.
“I do care about the National Merit Scholarship,” Chhina said. “[But] if I can manage to get it coming out of Northern Virginia it’ll be a big deal.”
After taking the PSAT, Chhina said she intends to continue practicing and studying, while Jones said she will prepare to send her college applications.
“Applying to college is really stressful and nerve wracking because of my foreign parents,” Jones said. “Early admissions come by so fast and I just don’t have time for myself or to focus on my mental health.”
Freshmen, opted-out sophomores and juniors and unregistered seniors do not have to report to the building Wednesday.