The sophomore PSAT
Many schools have sophomores take the PSAT for practice and familiarity. For most sophomores, formal preparation is unnecessary; the experience and score report are most useful as an early benchmark.
The junior-year PSAT
Most schools encourage juniors to take the PSAT for two reasons: it provides meaningful SAT practice and it serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
National Merit recognition is based on how a student compares with others in the same state, so qualifying can be especially competitive in Massachusetts and other high-scoring states.
Who might consider preparation?
Focused preparation may be worthwhile when a sophomore-year PSAT places the student near the likely National Merit range or when the student’s academic record suggests a realistic possibility of qualifying.
In those cases, preparation could make the difference between nearly qualifying and receiving a Letter of Commendation or higher recognition, which may also create merit-scholarship opportunities.
Timing
Because the PSAT/NMSQT is administered in the fall, the summer before junior year can be the best time for focused preparation when a student is a realistic National Merit candidate.