This year the PSATs are going to be optional for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. All signups are through a QR code that was sent to parent emails.“When we force students to do things they don’t want to do, they don’t always take it seriously,” Counselor Heather Huffacker said. “So we don’t want to force people to do things they don’t want to do.”
The PSATs have been required for about 10 years for 11th graders and about 8 years for the 9th and 10th graders. The PSAT is an important test for underclassmen to prepare for the SAT and ACT test.
“I am having to take the PSATs because my parents are making me,”Sabine Wicker said. “I would have taken the test anyways.”
For 11th graders, the PSATs is a scholarship opportunity, with a chance to be entered into a part of the national merit scholarship program.
Even though the school pays for the PSATs. Without forcing the student to take the PSAT test, they might not be able to realize their potential. This could possibly set up students to fail because they don’t want to take a test.
“ We pay for the PSAT test and we want people to take it seriously.” Counselor Heather Huffacker said.
The photo attached to the story is the QRcode to sign up for the PSAT test. Signing up for the PSATs is completely free and up to every student.