Last week, while having coffee in the church fellowship hall, a parent asked, "Isn't the PSAT that our child is taking this month just a practice test?" Another mom sitting nearby shook her head.

Hearing that conversation made me realize that this topic needs some clarification. To get straight to the point, the October PSAT for 11th graders is not a practice test. It serves as the entry ticket for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Just looking at its official name reveals its purpose. PSAT/NMSQT, with the NMSQT standing for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

This year, the College Board has set the testing window from October 1 to 30. Students do not register themselves; instead, schools set the date for the test.

This year, it was also allowed to take the test on Saturday, October 17. So, it's a good idea to check with your child's counselor about when their school will be administering the test.

Many people get confused here. The PSAT scores from 9th and 10th grades do not count for National Merit selection.

The scores that matter for the scholarship program are only from the 11th grade, meaning the junior year. This is the only opportunity given during the four years of high school.

Also, the key number is not the total PSAT score. A separate score called the Selection Index is used.

The calculation method is as follows: double the Reading and Writing score, add the Math score, and then divide by 10. The maximum score is 228.

If you're quick on the uptake, you might have already noticed that the English section carries double the weight.

Many students who excel in math often lose points on the English passages. In such cases, it would be beneficial to spend more time on Reading and Writing in the remaining weeks.

Next, it's important to know the state-specific cutoffs. The scores are not uniform across the country; different standards apply in each state.

The NMSC allocates the number of semifinalists based on the number of high school graduates in each state. Therefore, states with a higher concentration of academically strong students tend to have higher cutoffs.

Massachusetts is one such state. For the last cycle, the cutoff for the graduating class of 2026 in Massachusetts was 225, which was among the highest in the nation along with New Jersey.

With a perfect score of 228, seeing 225 was honestly a bit surprising. It means that the competition is decided by just a mistake or two.

In the same year, neighboring New Hampshire had a cutoff of 219. That's a difference of 6 points due to just one state line.

Cutoffs fluctuate each year. So, while it's good to aim for last year's number, I would advise not to get too fixated on it.

Let's briefly touch on eligibility. A student must be enrolled in an American high school, take this test in 11th grade, and plan to attend college after graduation to meet the basic requirements.

Let's also look at the scale. The NMSC announced over 16,000 semifinalists for its 72nd program on September 9 this year.

These students will compete for about 6,700 scholarships. Finalist notifications will be released in February of the following year.

In terms of scholarship amounts, you might be disappointed. The National Merit scholarship itself is a one-time award of $2,500.

However, the real value comes afterward. Some colleges and companies sponsor additional National Merit scholarships, and having it noted on a college application carries significant weight.

Score reporting varies depending on when the school submits the answer sheets. According to the College Board schedule, results will be released sequentially from late October to mid-November.

Since it's mid-October now, there are likely still many schools that haven't administered the test yet. If that's the case, the tasks for the remaining time are surprisingly simple.

Using the College Board's Bluebook app to take one or two practice tests is a good idea. Since it's a digital test, just getting used to the screen and timing can reduce mistakes. Getting enough sleep is much better for scores than cramming the night before the test.

If your child has already taken the test, there's nothing more that can be done. Instead, I would recommend paying attention to your child's expression.

In these situations, I lean towards pragmatism. I believe that the losses from pushing a child for just 1 or 2 points on the cutoff outweigh the gains.

While the National Merit is a great opportunity, it is not everything in college admissions. Even if they miss it, they can make up for it with SAT scores, grades, and extracurricular activities.

However, if your child is in 11th grade, please make sure to discuss the fact that this October test is their only chance. I believe that level of seriousness is sufficient.