Welcome to October Testing
Students, teachers, and families are settling into the new routines, which include homework, lesson plans, and activity drop-offs and pick-ups. Life is busier than ever, and now comes October and testing.
PSAT/NMSQT – (National Merit Student Qualifying Test)
Students don’t register for the PSAT/NMSQT through the College Board. Schools and districts choose whether and when to offer it. PSAT/NMSQT testing may occur on a school day between October 1 and 31, 2025. Schools may also choose to administer the PSAT/NMSQT on Saturday, October 11, 2025 or Saturday, October 18, 2025.
- The PSAT uses the same question types and covers the same academic areas (reading, writing, and math) as the SAT, providing a realistic simulation of the actual test.
- Unlike the SAT, PSAT scores are not sent to colleges, making it a low-pressure way to try out test-taking strategies and time management techniques.
- The PSAT results help identify areas where you need improvement, allowing you to focus your SAT study plan on specific skills and knowledge gaps. However, the PSAT is scored on a range of 320-1520, while the SAT is scored from 400-1600. The SAT is more challenging than the PSAT, anticipating that students will have learned more content by the time they take the SAT.
ACT – This year, the ACT is offered on Saturdays in both October (18) and December (13).
SAT – This year, the SAT is offered on Saturdays in October (4), November (8), and December (6).
Here are some tips to prepare for test day, provided by Compass Educational Group, a leader in the test prep industry:
The week before the test:
- If you are in the habit of staying up very late, use a few days to transition to an earlier bedtime. It helps if you don’t eat anything after 8 pm and if you don’t use electronics during the hour before bedtime.
- Finish your homework by Thursday night and put off as much as you can until after the test.
- Eat healthy, balanced meals.
The day before the test:
- For today only, do as little studying as little as possible.
- Relax and do fun things. Watch a comedy, read a book, or do whatever helps you unwind.
- A light workout is a good idea, but a grueling one is not.
- Get another good night’s sleep. Gather your test-day necessities:
- Directions to the test site
- Your Admission Ticket
- Picture ID
- Pencils
- Fully charged laptop or tablet (if applicable for online testing)
- Calculator with fresh batteries
- Watch
- Snacks and drinks
- Get another good night’s sleep.
On test day:
- Get up at least two hours before the test so that your brain has time to wake up.
- Do something active for 10 minutes – a light run or stretching exercises – to wake up your body. Take a refreshing shower to wake up your mind.
- Eat a medium-sized, healthy breakfast. Drink tea or coffee only if they are part of your normal routine.
- Try a few easy practice problems to warm up your testing techniques. Don’t worry about checking your answers.
- Listen to your favorite music to help you get into a relaxed but alert mood.
- Get to the testing site early, so you are not stressed about finding your testing room.
- Locate the restroom. Don’t get lost during your 5-minute break looking for the restroom.
Final important reminders:
NO CELL PHONES. Not on silent, not on vibrate. Not on breaks. They need to be off the ENTIRE TIME, or better yet, leave them at home. If a proctor sees your phone, they CAN cancel your test and send you home.
KNOW YOUR TIME (for paper testing). Make sure the proctor clarifies what they are using to keep track of time: is it their watch or the clock in the room? Proctors are NOT required to give you 5-minute warnings so don’t expect them. KEEP YOUR OWN TIME. If you think the proctor made a mistake, speak up right away. After the test is over, it’s over.
Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@bierercollegeconsulting.com; www.bierercollegeconsulting.com