On Wednesday Oct. 25 in the field house, all Naperville North juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT, a College Board administered standardized test meant to prepare high school students for the SAT.

The PSAT/NMSQT, which stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, also offers juniors an opportunity to earn National Merit Scholarships, which can aid in college funding.

According to Jeff Farson, NNHS director of student services, this year is the first that NNHS will administer the PSAT/NMSQT to all juniors, free of cost.

“In years past the PSAT was elective and kids had to pay for it,” Farson said.

According to NNHS testing coordinator Hannah Cox, the recent change will affect underclassmen as well.

“Instead of the PSAT 8/9 in the spring, all freshmen and sophomores will take what’s called the PSAT 10,” Cox said.

The district made this change in order to provide all juniors a chance to familiarize themselves with the format of the PSAT, which may benefit them when they take the SAT, according to Farson.

“The district believes that having all students have a practice opportunity that students are not financially responsible for… gives us an opportunity to make sure that we have addressed all kids,” Farson said.

Colleges do not consider PSAT scores in applications, however the PSAT serves as a valuable tool for students in preparing for the SAT, which all Illinois juniors are required to take due to state testing requirements, according to Cox.

High schoolers can use a variety of resources to prepare for the PSAT. According to Cox, preparation methods include free online resources, test booklets, and test prep classes. The best preparation arrangement, said Cox, depends on the student’s personal style of studying.

Taylor Woods, NNHS junior, who began preparing for the PSAT and SAT over the summer, believes PSAT preparation is a key part in doing well on the SAT.

“I think that (preparation) is important no matter what because even if you’re not really going for getting the National Merit Scholar, I think it’s important for you to do your best and to study so you kind of know what more you do need to study for the actual SAT,” Woods said.