Should Students Take the PSAT?

My daughter is in high school. Is it a good idea for her to take the PSAT next month? Or should she just take the SAT next year? -- Curious
Answer: Students usually take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) when they are juniors. So if your daughter is in that grade, it is definitely a good idea for her to take this test. Not only does it give firsthand practice for the SAT, it will give her an idea of her strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. This test also gives students the chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation's scholarship programs and get access to college- and career-planning tools. Some sophomores also take the PSAT for additional SAT practice.
Also, by taking the PSAT and checking "yes" to Student Search Service, students begin to get information from colleges. They may get mail from colleges, universities and special scholarship programs interested in them because of their grade-point average, test scores or intended college major.