By Caroline Carter
Staff Writer

After much anticipation, the PSAT scores were released today during all English classes. Coppell High School students took the test on Oct. 17.

The PSAT is the preliminary SAT test as well as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The test is most important for juniors as it provides practice for the real SAT and gives students the opportunity to enter scholarship programs. Freshmen and sophomores also take the test for practice.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem solving skills and writing skills. The test lasts roughly two hours with a total of five different sections. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT is scored out of 240 points with each subject worth 80.

Many students prepared for the PSAT by working through practice tests, taking college prep classes and utilizing College Board’s online resources. At its website, College Board has dozens of practice tests, a service that sends students an ‘SAT Question of the Day’ over email and vocabulary practice.