Whether your student is in the 8th or 9th grade or is a sophomore or junior, they can benefit from a PSAT class offered by Varsity Tutors. Working with a tutor in PSAT prep classes can be helpful to your student if they are preparing to take the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, or PSAT/NMSQT. If you're interested in a PSAT course for your student, feel free to contact Varsity Tutors for more details.
The PSAT/NMSQT serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It was designed to be administered to high school sophomores and juniors during the fall. The PSAT 10 is offered in the Spring. However, this exam would not make your student eligible to become a National Merit Scholar. The PSAT 8/9 is designed for eighth and ninth grade students to identify areas where they may need more academic focus for any college readiness exams they'll take in the future.
The PSAT was designed to help students prepare for taking the SAT by completing preliminary practice exams. Being tutored one-on-one in a distraction-free environment can provide your child with the ideal learning situation for their PSAT class. They won't have to compete for the tutor's attention as they would in a classroom setting. When your child asks any questions, they can receive a timely answer from the tutor.
At the start of the first session in PSAT courses, an assessment of your child's academic skills can be completed. The tutor can ascertain any weak or strong areas so the right lesson plan can be implemented in the PSAT classes. This baseline can be instrumental in helping the tutor establish benchmarks for the study sessions. Tutors want to optimize each lesson so that your student can get the most out of the process and increase their confidence level for taking the PSAT.
There are some variations among the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT. The chart below shows the differences between these PSAT exams. A PSAT prep course tutor can help your child understand the differences and prepare them for the proper test:
PSAT Exam | PSAT 8/9 | PSAT 10 | PSAT/NMSQT |
Who takes it? | 8th and 9th Grade Students | 10th Grade Students | 10th and 11th Grade Students |
When is the test available? | Fall through Spring | Spring | Fall |
Is the exam National Merit Scholarship eligible? | No | No | Yes |
Are students eligible for other scholarships by taking this test? | No | Yes | Yes |
Both you and your child's time is valuable. We can connect you with a tutor who is flexible with your busy schedule. PSAT prep courses can be taken online through our Live Learning Platform. All you need is a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone, along with an internet connection for these classes.
Your student will need to have a competency in Reading, Writing and Language, and Math in order to do well on the PSAT. When they take PSAT prep classes, they can learn how to study more effectively so they can retain more of the material. Some students may get nervous when taking standardized tests. This could keep students from performing at their level of potential, but if your student has this issue, a tutor can work with them in the PSAT course to learn relaxation exercises, which can help them calm down and focus on the exam day. Staying calm is important if they want to be able to recall information that they've learned.
Each student has a different learning style. A tutor can work with your student's specific learning needs and abilities to customize lessons that help students learn in ways that work for them. This kind of training helps students comprehend ideas more efficiently.

Haley: PSAT course instructor
...is being told that I was able to break down explanations from the student's class and reformulate them into a version that is compatible with their way of thinking. I aim to use my empathy and sensitivity to students' unique struggles and learning styles to teach concepts and problem-solving strategies in an individualized manner. While I specialize in chemistry, I happily tutor a variety of other subjects and also employ expertise gained in my French...
Education & Certification
- University of Arizona - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ACT Reading
- French 2
- PSAT Critical Reading
- +50 subjects

Kaley: PSAT course instructor
...classroom teacher and a tutor and in these roles I look for ways to make learning fun and rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students ranging from kindergarten through adults. I also have experience tutoring test prep subjects and focus both on the content material and test taking skills. My passion is psychology and I have been able to use my graduate training in...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- PSAT Writing Skills
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Languages
- +35 subjects

Erica: PSAT course instructor
...about teaching and work daily to improve my craft. Students, parents, supervisors, and colleagues have described me as efficient, extremely patient, creative, and caring. I am certified to tutor in a variety of subjects and consider the following areas to be my specialties: *Standardized tests, such as the ISEE, SSAT, and AP examinations *Students who demonstrate challenging behaviors *Long-term tutoring in math and reading--I love to guide a student who initially struggled to meet and...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelor in Arts, English; Latin Language and Literature
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- Middle School Writing
- Study Skills and Organization
- GED
- +76 subjects

Audrey: PSAT course instructor
...experience working at my school's writing center to assist first-year students with college-level essays. I have also captained an award-winning collegiate mock trial team for several years, which involves mentoring younger students in oral and written communication skills. In addition to my experience, standardized testing has always been a forte of mine. I am enthusiastic about sharing the skills and strategies that I have picked up along my way. If you are seeking a patient,...
Education & Certification
- Pomona College - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- AP Comparative Government and Politics
- PSAT Critical Reading
- SAT
- +36 subjects

Ellen: PSAT course instructor
...strategies that writers use to make their point. This way students can critically evaluate what writers are saying, as well as use these strategies themselves when they want to articulate their own opinions. I believe that it’s important to become familiar with the common structures and tactics used in writing in order to develop one’s own voice. In my experience tutoring reading and writing, I love seeing my students become more and more comfortable navigating...
Education & Certification
- Sarah Lawrence College - Current Undergrad, Liberal arts
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- Biology
- IB Psychology SL
- Social Sciences
- +35 subjects

Jennifer: PSAT course instructor
I am committed to providing my students with the best learning experience achievable. I strive to cater to their needs and challenge them to achieve their academic goals. ... I believe that every student can reach their personal potential. In order to do so, both student and educator must communicate with each other to use the student's strengths to overcome any challenges the student may face.... I always like to learn about the student's goals, interests, strengths, and challenges. This helps me customize lesson plans accordingly. I also like to share some of my interests and goals in order to begin gaining trust from my student.
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelors, Public Policy
- University of Southern California - Masters, Teaching
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- Geometry
- PSAT Writing Skills
- Elementary School Math
- +18 subjects

John: PSAT course instructor
I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC in 2008, the oldest English speaking acting conservatory in the world. I graduated Summa from University of St Thomas with a BA in English, and just wrapped up a MS in Data Science from Northwestern. I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.... Positivity. Always. I believe that if a student is given positive tools and is allowed to understand the material rather than be lectured at, they're more likely to do well in the future.
Education & Certification
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Associates, Acting
- University of St. Thomas - Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- Algebra 2
- Microsoft Office
- College Essays
- +107 subjects

Maddie: PSAT course instructor
...University in the fall. I have a passion for reading, poetry, and learning. I strive to help students read and analyze for themselves, instead of worrying about finding the "right answer." This helps them learn how to think critically about the world around them so that they become more enlightened, aware, and compassionate people. I seek to help each student get the most out of their learning as well as to prepare for the next...
Education & Certification
- Carleton College - Bachelor in Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- PSAT Writing Skills
- History
- ACT Reading
- +44 subjects

Max: PSAT course instructor
...middle school (my team of 7th graders just won the 2016 New Haven regional championship!), and I've been tutoring middle and high school students for over 7 years. On top of all of that, I'm an aspiring professional in the business world - this past summer I worked at an internship in financial consulting (banking advisory & analytics), and have previously held internship positions in human capital consulting & private equity, as well as in...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- High School Biology
- College Level American History
- College Biology
- +104 subjects

Matt: PSAT course instructor
...Infectious Diseases. I then went on to complete a Masters program at Georgetown University in human physiology. Given the amount of schooling I have gone through myself, I have taken a wide range of subjects and more standardized tests than I would like to admit. I have taught students of almost every age in various fields such as elementary science, Hebrew, chemistry, MCAT prep, and many more.. My ultimate plan is to go to medical...
Education & Certification
- Johns Hopkins University - Bachelors, Public Health concentration in Immunology and Infectious Disease
- Georgetown University - Masters, Biophysics and Human Physiology
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- Arithmetic
- AP Physics 1
- Study Skills
- +85 subjects