Want to be a national merit scholar?

Area high school and middle school students have been invited to participate in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

The test will be given Wednesday Oct. 13.

This is an opportunity for college-bound students to experience a college entrance exam at a lower cost with no “official scores” sent to colleges.

Each student taking the test will receive a detailed score report outlining academic strengths and weaknesses. This national test is the route to NMSC scholarship competitions when the student is a junior in high school. By giving students an opportunity to take the test several times before their eleventh grade year, schools aim to improve students’ chances to be selected as a National Merit Scholar as well as improving their overall scores before applying to colleges.

Interested students who wish to participate should contact their respective school for more information.