Each October, every student in grades 10 - 11 participates in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) test administration.  The St. Mary’s County Public School system pays the $18 fee for each student to take this exam.  National data, supported by local school system performance, indicates that students who take the PSAT/NMSQT twice prior to taking the SAT, score more than 150 points higher than students who do not. 

Data from the PSAT/NMSQT is reported to schools and the school district through the PSAT/NMSQT Summary of Answers and Skills (SOAS) report.  This report allows teachers and content teams to make instructional decisions to meet specific learning needs.  Alignment to high school Core Learning Goals allow the PSAT/NMSQT to serve as an early indicator of High School Assessments (HSA) performance.  Student performance on this exam also serves as a indicator of potential success in Advanced Placement courses through the AP Potential Program.