Do you have an opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT, but are unsure what exactly it tests? Wondering about what types of problems it asks? Confused about why its title contains so many letters, and how taking it can be extremely beneficial to you? Many students are, and thus bypass the opportunity to take the PSAT. Taking the PSAT can gain you everything from practice for the SAT to scholarship money, so read on if it sounds like something you might undertake.

“PSAT/NMSQT” stands for the two names that this single test goes by: the Preliminary SAT, and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. As is indicated by its first name, this test is a Pre-SAT which can give you the opportunity to see how you react to a test structured similarly to the SAT. Such an experience can be extremely helpful as you look to taking the SAT or ACT to receive scores that you will send to colleges. You can learn how you perform in an actual test situation, and if you mess up terribly, that’s ok—the PSAT can function as a learning experience with no severe consequences

As you might have guessed from the test’s second name, this is the test that determines which students qualify to be named National Merit Scholars, a title that is a great boon to one’s college applications and often results in one receiving significant special financial aid. Becoming a National Merit Scholar or semi-finalist is as easy as taking the PSAT/NMSQT and doing extremely well on it. The exam is free, so why not take it to see how well you can do?

The PSAT/NMSQT contains five different sections: two of these test Critical Reading, two test Math, and one tests Writing Skills. There is no essay section on the PSAT/NMSQT. It is important to note that when taking the test, you should read the instructions carefully in order to strategize. Whereas other standardized tests commonly calculate a student’s score solely based on the number of questions that he or she answers correctly, the PSAT does not do this. Questions that you answer incorrectly count against your score as a quarter of a point is deducted, but questions that you do not answer at all do not affect your score. So, if you’re absolutely unsure of how to answer a PSAT/NMSQT question, it is likely better for you to skip the question instead of chance answering it incorrectly and lowering your score.

Want to start reviewing for the PSAT/NMSQT right now? Varsity Tutors’ Learning Tools site provides free PSAT/NMSQT prep resources, including Practice Tests, Diagnostic Tests, Flashcards, and Questions of the Day. Each question comes with a complete explanation, so if you don’t know how to solve it, you can learn, and if you messed up during an attempt to solve it, you can figure out where you made a mistake. If you identify a certain concept or question type that you need to practice in particular, Varsity Tutors’ practice questions are also organized by concept, allowing you to focus on studying the material that will be most helpful to you.

There are also Full-Length PSAT Practice Tests available through Varsity Tutors’ Learning Tools. Each of these complete practice tests can help you get an idea of your overall readiness for the exam. They can also aid you in creating an individualized study plan, because the results page that follows the test will show you which concepts you already understand, and which concepts may need further review. The results page also provides a great deal of information you can incorporate into your study plan, such as step-by-step breakdowns of the correct answers and links to additional review on key concepts. Once you feel like you’re ready, test your newfound knowledge and streamline your study plan by taking another Full-Length PSAT Practice Test.

By making the most of Varsity Tutors’ variety of free PSAT/NMSQT resources, you can prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT in the most efficient way possible, and be completely confident in your abilities on test day.