PSAT/NMSQT

The Arkansas State Board of Education approved providing districts the option to administer PSAT/NMSQT at grade 10 using state at-risk funding as allowed by Act 989.   Any district or charter school may elect to administer this test in the fall.

The assessment will be funded by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) for districts that agree to administer PSAT/NMSQT to all students able to test in grade 10 only. The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered online during the month of October, 2023. 

Home school students in 10th grade also have access to this opportunity.  Parents must mark the request on the Notice of Intent (NOI) to Home School that is due to the DESE Home School office in August of each year.  The Assessment and the Home School offices along with participating districts collaborate to provide a list of schools available for home school students to test.  

Taking the PSAT/NMSQT in 10th grade is an excellent practice prior to 11th grade.  Most students take the PSAT/NMSQT once in 11th grade to qualify for National Merit scholarships, but students may take the PSAT/NMSQT three times in high school but only once a year.

For more information, please contact:

JJ Walker, Program Advisor

Arkansas Department of Education

Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Office of Student Assessment

Four Capitol Mall, Room 301-B

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Phone: (501) 683-0910

Fax: (501) 682-4886

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