Does the PSAT really matter?
The PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, so yes, it is important. Students who qualify for this honor will be recruited by the top universities in the country, and it is a nice addition to any college application. And for those who don’t qualify, it is important to start off on the right foot. One bad score could damage a student’s confidence regarding the SAT—even if the student did poorly because he was simply unprepared, he might instead conclude that he is not a good tester. This is a terrible first step to take, as those beliefs can directly interfere with a student’s progress, self-esteem, and work habits.
