No Need to Shave Your Head for this Boot Camp 

October 3, 2025 /

By Avery Gooch

Ever since College Board created the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) in 1959, both middle and high schools have been using it to show students how ready they are to take the SAT. In particular, the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is an amazing way for high-performing students to stand out for colleges they are interested in.  

The National Merit Scholarship is an esteemed award for those outgoing high school students in the US that take the PSAT/NMSQT during junior year, as well as meet the academic and application requirements to become a Finalist. One of the qualifications includes a score of 1400 or higher. The corporation’s sponsors and school administrators have been known to award winners with as much as $2,500, and sometimes even more.  

This fall, Nease High School will be hosting PSAT Bootcamps to help our students prepare.

  • English Boot Camp: Saturday, October 11, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM with Mr. Binns 
  • Math Boot Camp: Sunday, October 12, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM with Mrs. Gebauer.  

These sessions are primarily designed to help prepare students for either the SAT or PSAT.  When you register, you or your parent will need to indicate whether you’ll be taking the PSAT or the SAT so the content can be planned accordingly. It’s important to note that there are LIMITED SEATS for these boot camp time slots. So, if you are curious about either or both, you’ll want to book a spot as soon as possible using the QR code located in the latest edition of the Panther Press.  

If you are unable to make it, some good study/preparation tips for the test include: 

  • Learning the format (number of questions, topics tested, how much time is given, etc.) 
  • Taking online PSAT practice tests (College Board is a great source) 
  • Using SAT questions and tests for extra practice 
  • Use up-to-date, high-quality resources 
  • For math problems, draw a picture or diagram 
  • For grammar questions, read the sentence “out loud’’ 
  • For reading questions, beware answers that are only half-true 

In the end, if you go in with the right mindset and enough practice, you’ll be more likely to get a score that is satisfying to you. Good luck to all taking the test in October and make sure to study smarter, not harder! 

Bibliography 

Picture- “Why You Should Take the PSAT.” Princetonreview.com, 2015, www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/why-take-the-psat.

Muniz, Hannah. “How to Prepare for the PSAT: 5-Step Guide to PSAT Prep · PrepScholar.” Prepscholar.com, 2015, blog.prepscholar.com/psat-prep-tips. 

HANKINS, NICK. “The History of the PSAT (and Why We Do It).” The City Voice, 26 May 2022, thecityvoice.org/2022/05/26/the-history-of-the-psat-and-why-we-do-it/. 

“Sponsorship.” Www.nationalmerit.org, www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=396. 

“What Is the PSAT? – MentoMind.” MentoMind, 22 Apr. 2025, mentomind.ai/what-is-the-psat/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2025. 

Kevin, Greg . “25 PSAT Tips: Advice from a Top 1% Scorer – PrepMaven.” PrepMaven, 4 Jan. 2025, prepmaven.com/blog/test-prep/psat-tips/#before. Accessed 26 Sept. 2025.