Starting this school year, eligible students have the opportunity to take a PSAT preparation class taught by Ms. Crosbie and Mr. Gomez, who teach English III and AP Calculus AB. Students that earn a cutoff score or higher on the PSAT as sophomores can take the class as juniors in preparation for the PSAT.

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) and is used to select students who aim to earn a National Merit Scholarship.

“The reason [that the PSAT class started] was to help our National Merit Scholar numbers go up,” Mr. Gomez, a teacher of the course, said. “The class will also help those who aren’t National Merits to become commended and help those who compete nationally to earn scholarship money.”

The class can be taken during the first semester. The first nine weeks is spent preparing for the PSAT and the rest of the semester is spent preparing for other standardized tests and serves as an introduction for UIL Academics. It also saves students time by being during the school, since most test-preparation courses are not offered during the school day.

“Test preparation is expensive,” Mr. Gomez said. “This is for free because of the fact that we’re not only trying to help kids scholarship-wise but also that we want them to do well and we want as many National Merit Scholars as we can get.”

Khayla Silverio, a junior, is taking the PSAT preparation course this semester.

“I would really recommend reserving a spot in your schedule for the course,” she said. “Everything gets hectic during junior year and you may not have a lot of time outside of school to practice and prepare for these tests.”

In addition to giving students scholarship opportunities, taking the PSAT can show colleges that the student is serious about attending college.

“You’re showing a level of performance that most people show their senior year throughout the SAT,” Mr. Gomez said. “This is just early exposure to what you’re capable of doing and it looks good on a resume when you’re applying for colleges.”