On Wed., Oct. 1, every sophomore at Cypress Ranch will take the Preliminary SAT, a standardized exam offered by the College Board as practice for the SAT. Meanwhile, juniors will sit for the PSAT/NMSQT, a version of the test that also determines eligibility for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship.
For most sophomores, the PSAT marks their first real experience with this type of high-stakes standardized testing.
“I’m nervous, but I feel like I’ll do well because I’ve been preparing,” sophomore Uriel Smith said. “I saw on Schoology they gave us announcements with a link to prepare specifically for the PSAT, so I’ve been looking over that and doing the assignments.”
For juniors, however, the exam carries far greater weight.
“It’s weird that the PSAT matters a lot more this year, but it’s my only chance to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, so I’ve been studying a lot,” junior Callyan Seidman said.
This year, Cypress Ranch is celebrating two of its own National Merit semifinalists, Joshua Lee and Shubh Randeria, who earned their spots among the nation’s top 1 percent of test-takers. They are part of a group of 18 CFISD seniors representing seven high schools who advanced to this stage of the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program, announced on Sept. 9. Nationally, more than 16,000 students are in the running for 6,930 scholarships worth nearly $26 million.
Both semifinalists credit preparation and mindset as key to their success.
“All my SATs and PSATs were on paper before we switched online. So all the studying I did was on paper. I took all the released practice tests, and I adjusted the conditions of the actual exams in my house. That helped me feel comfortable with the environment on test day,” Lee said.
Randeria emphasized consistency and composure.
“I would recommend focusing on the fundamentals and just taking practice tests. And when you actually take the test, don’t sweat it too much,” Randeria said.
To advance from semifinalist to finalist, students must submit a detailed scholarship application, earn an SAT or ACT score that confirms their earlier performance and demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and community involvement.
As the PSAT approaches, Ranch students are preparing with different mindsets—whether it is the nerves of taking their first big exam or the determination to follow in the footsteps of Lee and Randeria. For some, the test is practice. For others, it is an opportunity. But for all, it is a step toward the future.