The PSAT/NMSQT has traditionally been important for juniors who score high enough to merit scholarships. After all, “NMSQT” stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.” Fortunately, the January administration of the PSAT–added only for this Covid-impacted year–will still be figured into the scholarship eligibility. Usually, the test occurs only in October.

Revised Test Dates

We have revised some of the original test dates and added new administrations to provide more testing options on different days of the week.

PSAT/NMSQT Dates:

• Wednesday, October 14, 2020
• Saturday, October 17, 2020
• Thursday, October 29, 2020 (Revised, originally October 28)
• NEW Tuesday, January 26, 2021 (Only added for the 2020–2021 school year)

Schools can administer the PSAT/NMSQT on one date or across multiple available test dates, but students may only take the PSAT/NMSQT once. You can your order across multiple test dates or reorder for a new test date. [Garbled sentence comes right from the website. KH]

New January 26, 2021 PSAT/NMSQT Administration:

• The January administration will have the same benefits as the October PSAT/NMSQT, including eligibility for programs administered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
• All flexible ordering and administering policies for fall testing are extended for the January test date, including: flexible start times, off-site testing, and testing students across multiple dates. Additionally, schools won’t be charged unused test fees.
• We’ll send schools an email by mid-October when ordering for the January administration is open.

Important Reminders:

• Schools can choose from any of the October and January administrations to test their students. Ordering for the three October test dates is available now and January will open in mid-October.
• Students may only take the PSAT/NMSQT once.
• Test booklets sent for one test date can’t be used for a different test date.
• There is no minimum for the number of students who can test on any of the administration dates.
• If you already placed an order for the original alternate date (Wednesday, October 28), your order will be automatically shifted to Thursday, October 29. You must administer the PSAT/NMSQT Alternate test on the revised date of October 29 and not on October 28.
• Specific rules for Saturday testing will remain in place this fall. For example, Saturday test books must be returned immediately after test day, and score reports won’t include question-level detail.