Prepare for the PSAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test®

Prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT and compete for National Merit recognition with personalized guidance from expert educators.

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Your Path to National Merit Starts Here

The PSAT/NMSQT gives students an opportunity to compete for National Merit recognition — an academic distinction awarded to top-performing students across the country.

Each year, approximately 1.5 million students take the PSAT/NMSQT, but only about 16,000 students qualify as National Merit Semifinalists.

Becoming a National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist can help students:

  • Strengthen competitive college applications
  • Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement
  • Increase visibility with admissions offices
  • Qualify for merit-based scholarships
  • Gain access to honors colleges and specialized academic programs

National Merit qualification is based on junior-year PSAT performance. Many schools offer practice PSAT exams for sophomores and freshmen, too and while those scores don’t count towards National Merit qualification, the best way to succeed on the test that matters is to prepare for the first one.

Our goal is to help students build a stronger foundation for future SAT performance and long-term college admissions success.

Personalized PSAT Prep Designed Around Your Student

Every student approaches the PSAT/NMSQT with different strengths, goals, and timelines. That's why C2 creates a personalized preparation plan designed around each student's academic profile and long-term college goals.

Personalized Learning Plans

Every student begins with a customized PSAT preparation strategy based on academic strengths, areas of opportunity, and long-term goals.

Individualized Instruction in a 3:1 Environment

Our in-person 3:1 model gives students individualized attention while helping them stay engaged, accountable, and actively involved during lessons.

Ongoing Progress Tracking

Through interim testing, parent conferences, and continuous adjustments to the learning plan, we help students continue improving throughout the program.

Families Trust C2 for Personalized PSAT and National Merit Preparation

See how students and families used C2 Education’s personalized PSAT prep programs to build confidence, strengthen scores, and prepare for competitive college admissions opportunities.

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Strong Preparation. Meaningful Opportunities

A strong PSAT score can help a student prepare for future SAT success, compete for National Merit recognition, and unlock valuable scholarship opportunities.

Students who reported scholarship offers received awards nearly 8 times the cost of their C2 investment.¹ That’s the value of preparation that continues to pay dividends throughout the college admissions journey

1Based on C2 student-reported scholarship offers and average student investment for the Class of 2025. Scholarship offers are not guaranteed and vary by student and institution.

Start with a Personalized Plan for Your Student

Get expert insight into your student’s strengths, challenges, and next steps.

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PSAT and National Merit FAQs

  • Although the junior-year PSAT is the only score that counts towards National Merit Scholarship Qualification, many schools offer practice PSATs for sophomores and freshmen. The best way to prepare for the test that matters is to prepare for the first one. A good score on the PSAT 8/9 or 10 can help build confidence heading into the PSAT/NMSQT.

  • The PSAT/NMSQT is the junior-year version of the PSAT that qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 are designed primarily for practice and academic benchmarking.

  • Approximately 1.5 million students take the PSAT/NMSQT each year, but only about 16,000 students are named National Merit Semifinalists.

  • Yes. Many colleges offer merit-based scholarships and honors program opportunities to National Merit Finalists, including partial tuition and full-ride scholarship packages at some universities.

  • Yes. Because the PSAT and SAT are closely aligned, PSAT preparation helps students build many of the same reading, math, pacing, and testing skills needed for future SAT success.