New York City to Offer the PSAT Test Free to All Public School Students

The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is used not only as a practice examination for the SAT, but it is also used as the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships. The PSAT is typically offered on a Saturday and it costs students $12 to register to take the test.

New York City has reached an agreement with The College Board to give the test to any public school student in the tenth or eleventh grade free of charge. In addition, the test will be administered on a weekday during regular school hours.

Education officials in New York believe that the no-fee test given on a school day will significantly increase the number of city school students who take the PSAT and therefore become eligible for the National Merit Scholarship program.