The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) was intended to be held at Miramonte for the sophomore class on Jan. 26. Due to the ongoing stay at home order that went into effect Dec. 6 the test was canceled Jan. 12. There are no plans as of right now for a virtual test or a test at a later date. 

“The January 26 PSAT exam at Miramonte High school has been canceled because the state of California has extended our stay-at-home order,” administrative assistant Veronica Erickson said in an email to parents of students signed up Jan.12. “ The test in January was primarily for students to get familiar with the test format and to practice sitting and testing for a period of time.  Many sophomores will not be familiar with some math questions, in particular, so the scores they receive do not really reflect what they will know when they take the test as junior,” Erickson said.  

The standardized test allots two hours and forty-five minutes for 139 questions and acts as a practice test or trial run for sophomores in preparation for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). “I was going to take the PSAT in order to make an educated decision on whether to take the SAT or the American College Test (ACT) next year. I wanted to take it in order to get a better understanding of what that type of testing environment feels like,” sophomore Kyle Odmark said. 

While the test is by no means mandatory, the College Board reported that in the 2018-2019 school year, 2.27 million high school sophomores and 1.74 million high school juniors took the PSAT. Juniors had the opportunity to take the test Oct.17. “I want to get more practice taking tests before the SAT in a couple of years,” sophomore Siena Esopa said. 

“I feel it is unfortunate the PSAT got canceled because I was looking forward to getting extra practice for the SAT,” sophomore Zoe Petty said. In the previous in-person setup, masks were required for the duration of the test, and desks were spaced out in rooms limited to their designated socially distanced occupancy. “I think it is definitely better to take in person, due to the fact it gives the test takers a much better understanding of what the real test will be like,” Odmark said.