The EDUFAX Educational FAQ

Question #43:

I think I am eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. I missed the PSAT. Can I be eligible by submitting my SAT score ?

Answer #43:

Although both the SAT and the PSAT are administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is not connected in any way to the SAT. For specific information regarding PSAT abroad, call ETS in Princeton, NJ, at (609) 921-9000. One of our readers sent in the following information: Actually, the answer is: Yes, under certain circumstances. If a student misses the PSAT for an excusable reason, such as illness, preplanned school activity, or court attendance, and applies to the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) in writing, the student will receive an application for alternate entry to the NMSP based on SAT scores. The student must get his/her school to fill out a NMSP recommendation form stating that the applicant missed the PSAT for a reason that is excusable by NMSP regulations. The student must then take the SAT on one of the spring testing dates in the following year. The official score report must be then be sent to the NMSP. I am absolutely sure of this, as I have just gone through this process myself. (June 8, 2005) EDUFAX provides Verbal Test Prep Tutorials (PSAT/SAT I/SAT II/ACT). If this information was helpful, please click on the smiley

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