PSAT Info & Registration Procedures

Hillsborough High School will offer the PSAT/NMSQT on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 7:30am-11:00am. This is the new DIGITAL exam. The paper PSAT is no longer offered.

The PSAT is offered one date per year. There is no make-up test date. The next testing opportunity will be in October 2024.

Who may test?

Students who are:

  • In 10th or 11th grade AND

  • Enrolled in Hillsborough High School or are a Hillsborough resident AND

  • Will not take the PSAT/MSQT at any other testing site in October 2023 (this is a College Board restriction)


The PSAT/NMSQT is appropriate for any 10th or 11th-grade student who is considering college. The test measures critical reading and math problem-solving skills.

While we generally recommend that students test in both Sophomore and Junior year, Juniors (class of 2024) who have already taken the SAT, and know they will not qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program should consider whether taking the test is helpful/practical based on the score release date (early December). They should also consider whether they would like to take the test so that they have the experience of taking a digital test before they take the digital SAT in Spring 2024.

Students are not required to take the PSAT. 


Registration Details

IMPORTANT: Please use the student's full legal name for registration. All information will be pre-printed on the student's answer sheet and cannot be changed.

Click here to register for the PSAT


Registration Opens: August 28, 2023

Regular Registration Ends: September 11, 2023 8:00 AM

Late Registration (limited availability): September 11 - September 17

* Note: Registration should be completed using the student's school or personal email. If you registered for the PSAT/NMSQT last school year, or have registered for an AP exam, you should use your existing Total Registration account to register for the PSATs. There are “forgot your username/forgot your password” links you can use to reset your account information.

Late Exam orders will be placed on a waitlist. We cannot guarantee students on the waitlist will be able to test. 

Regular Exam Fee:$36
Late Registration: $46 (includes $10 late registration fee)
Students Eligible for Federal Lunch Program: Juniors: Free. Sophomores: Reduced fee ($18 total)


Other Important Details

  • Students are required to use their school-issued Chromebook for testing.

  • All students will be required to attend a Digital Readiness Check during the school day in early October to setup their Chromebook and exam. Students who do not attend a session may be unable to test.

  • Specific instructions regarding arrival and departure will be distributed to registered students prior to the test day.

  • Scores will be released in November 2023.

  • Additional information about the PSAT can be found on the College Board site. Full-length practice tests are available online.


National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

The PSAT/NMSQT serves as the qualifying test for juniors (Class of 2025 only) for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Note that this scholarship is highly selective, especially for students from NJ, and requires strong scores to move on (maximum possible score 1520). Typically, National Merit Commended students have PSAT scores in the range of 1400+ and National Merit Semi-Finalists have PSAT scores in the range of 1490+.

Because the test will be offered this year, you should plan to test. Alternate Entry procedures will only be available for those with extenuating circumstances.


Students with IEPs/504s

You can only receive those accommodations that have been specifically approved by the College Board prior to test ordering; you do not automatically receive all accommodations listed in your IEP/504. If you are unsure if you have approved accommodations, you can contact Mrs. Thomson to check. We recommend that students who use extended time for classroom tests take the PSAT once with regular time before applying for extended time for future tests. Many students find that they do not want the extra time on the PSATs/SATs because they must sit through the entire duration of the extended time. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Thomson, your School Counselor, or your Case Manager. 

  
Questions? Please contact our PSAT Coordinator: Aimee Thomson, [email protected]