Although PSAT scores have a different function from your SAT scores, this can still be an exciting milestone for scholarship opportunities and SAT prep. But, now that tests have gone digital, understanding why you should take it and how the exam works can help you make the most of your PSAT prep experience.
Why Should You Take the Digital PSAT?
We’ve already discussed how the PSAT can prepare you for success on the SAT in a previous PSAT guide, and while that point is important, this isn’t the only benefit of taking the PSAT. Doing well on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) can help you secure one of the most prestigious academic awards a student can earn: the National Merit Scholarship.
Even if you don’t think you’ll win the scholarship, take the test anyway. Why? Because this isn’t the only scholarship available to you if you perform well on the PSAT. You could qualify for any of the corporate-sponsored and college-sponsored scholarships offered. Combining these scholarships with other funding methods can be a great way to help reduce your reliance on student loans.
Because the National Merit Scholarship is so prestigious, securing one can boost your academic profile and help you stand out amongst a sea of strong candidates.
What Do Colleges Think of the PSAT?
Colleges don’t look at PSAT scores as part of their admissions decisions, but being able to say you’re a National Merit Scholar can be a huge profile booster. This recognition could lead to targeted recruitment from different colleges and can signal your commitment to strong academics.
How Does the Digital PSAT Work?
The digital PSAT is offered through the Bluebook™ application and contains a Reading and Writing section and a Math section. Each section contains two modules, with the difficulty of the second module adapting to your performance on the first. This multistage adaptive design allows for a more precise assessment of your ability throughout the entire testing process.
There are several tools built into the application — like a calculator, strikethrough options, highlighters, timers, etc. — that can improve your testing experience.
The digital test takes 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete, making it half an hour shorter than the traditional PSAT. You’ll have 32 minutes to complete each module in the Reading and Writing section, and 35 minutes for each module in the Math section.
Unlike the SAT, which can be taken several times throughout the year, the PSAT’s testing window is much shorter and can vary depending on which version of the test you take:
- PSAT 8/9: Available Oct. 1, 2025 – Oct. 31, 2025 and Mar. 2, 2026 – Apr. 30, 2026
- PSAT 10: Available Mar. 2, 2026 – Apr. 30, 2026
- PSAT/NMSQT: Available Oct. 1, 2025 – Oct. 31, 2025
It’s important to remember that only your performance on the PSAT/NMSQT can qualify you for scholarships.
Can You Take the Digital PSAT at Home?
No, you cannot take the digital PSAT at home. You’ll need to go to an approved testing site, usually a high school, to complete the digital PSAT.
But, what if you’re homeschooled? Homeschooled students in the U.S. planning to take the PSAT/NMSQT at a school they don’t attend are considered away students, so they won’t automatically be part of that school’s registration process. Your parents should reach out to local schools or district offices at least a month before the testing window begins to ensure you’re included in the registration process.
Can You Use Your Device When Taking the Digital PSAT?
Yes, you can use an approved personal device or request to use a device from the College Board. You can also use your own calculator if you don’t want to use the one built into the Bluebook application, as long as it doesn’t have a computer style. For more specifics on prohibited items, check out the College Board’s complete list.
Why the Digital Format Changes How You Should Prepare
Unlike the traditional PSAT, the digital PSAT requires a certain level of digital literacy to do well on the exam. It comes with a set of embedded tools that can be used to streamline your testing experience, and its adaptive model creates a dynamic testing environment unlike anything you’ve likely experienced before the exam. Choosing PSAT prep programs that also teach you to leverage the unique benefits of digital testing environments can help you build the confidence and skills to excel on exam day.
This can include:
- Understanding how your performance in module one determines what to expect from module two
- Building test-taking endurance as staring at digital screens for extended periods can be mentally taxing from some
- Pacing yourself while testing to ensure you’re using your time effectively
- Familiarizing yourself with how different tools in Bluebook can be used
How Do You Prepare for the Digital PSAT?
Ideally, you should start preparing for the digital PSAT at least two months before you plan on taking the test. It might be tempting to prepare for the digital PSAT on your own, but we strongly recommend working with an experienced tutor since they’re already well-trained on the Bluebook platform and PSAT content. They also have their finger on the pulse of the latest testing changes and what that means for your testing experience.
With a tutor, you can get expert advice on how to approach the exam as a whole as well as answers to subject-specific questions you may have. They can also identify areas for improvement and create a plan that allows you to overcome those weaknesses in a structured, timely manner. They can replicate test day conditions so you know exactly what to expect, and you can practice everything you’ve learned in a relatively low-stakes environment.
Additionally, they can help you stay on top of your testing timeline to ensure you:
- Confirm your PSAT registration before the deadline
- Double-check your device to ensure it’s approved and, if not, that you request a device at the time of registration
- Have a checklist of what you need for test day
Success on the Digital PSAT Requires More Than Test Prep
The adaptive digital format of the PSAT is now the standard for tests like the SAT and ACT. Familiarizing yourself with this format should also be part of your test prep strategies.
Although colleges don’t look at the digital PSAT for their admissions process, doing well on it could help you earn scholarship funding. It’s a great way to showcase your academic potential to different colleges, and experience the adaptive testing format before taking the SAT.
Make the most of your digital PSAT experience by preparing with experts who have helped students just like you reach their National Merit Scholarship goals.
Ready to begin your path to the National Merit Scholarship? Call us at 866.401.1241 or submit the form at the bottom of this page to get started!
