The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the United States. It is offered annually to high school sophomores and juniors.
There are many different ways to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT. One way is to use prep books. Below are some of the best PSAT prep books on the market, along with extra study tips.
Best PSAT Prep Books To Check Out
Best Overall: The Official SAT Study Guide, 2018 Edition
This book is published by the College Board, the makers of the SAT. It includes four official SAT practice tests, as well as detailed explanations of answers for all math and verbal questions. There is also a section on essay writing, although the essay is not required for the PSAT/NMSQT.
Best for Math: The Critical Reader, 3rd Edition: The Complete Guide to SAT Reading
Although the math section on the PSAT/NMSQT is multiple choice, there is still a lot of reading involved. This book will help you improve your reading speed and comprehension, so that you can better understand the word problems on the math section. In addition, there are practice questions and answer explanations for all sections of the test.
Best for Verbal: Kaplan PSAT/NMSQT Prep Plus 2018
This book from Kaplan offers comprehensive coverage of all verbal sections on the PSAT/NMSQT, including reading, writing, and vocabulary. There are also practice questions and answer explanations for every section of the test. In addition, this book comes with online resources, including access to eight full-length practice tests.
Extra Study Tips For PSAT
Extra Study Tips
In addition to using prep books, there are other things you can do to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT. First, make sure you are familiar with the format of the test. The test consists of three sections: Math, Reading, and Writing. You will have two hours and 10 minutes to complete the entire test.
Next, take practice tests under timed conditions. This will help you get used to working quickly and efficiently on the test. Finally, make sure you are familiar with the types of questions that will be on each section. For example, on the math section, you will encounter multiple-choice questions as well as grid-ins, which are questions where you have to provide your own answer.
By following these tips and using one or more of the prep books listed above, you will be well on your way to doing your best on the PSAT/NMSQT.