September 27, 2026
Dear Parents,
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, beginning at 8:30 a.m., all Good Hope Country Day freshmen will be taking the Preliminary SAT 8/9 (PSAT 8/9). The test is a vehicle of the College Board, who produces and owns the SAT Suite of exams.
The PSAT 8/9 is important for the ninth graders, as it gives them their first introduction to the PSAT/NMSQT, which they will take in the fall of their sophomore and junior years. Additionally, the test gives the school a look at the preparedness for high school of our 9th graders and gives the students their first experience with higher-level standardized testing. In their junior year, they will take the SAT in the spring as they prepare for their college applications.
The PSAT exams are administered digitally. Our students will have uploaded the necessary software (BlueBook) onto either their school-issued device or their personal computer, and will practice opening the exam to ensure they are ready for test day. This will take place in their advisory. The College Board offers free practice digital tests on their website; I have also linked the Student Guides to the test here.
Fall 2026 PSAT 8/9 Student Guide
To ensure a successful test day for your child, please:
- Review the Official Student Guide to the PSAT 8/9, with your student
- Make certain that your student gets a good night’s rest and has a healthy breakfast the day of the test (an empty stomach causes a distraction and cannot feed the brain!)
- Students must arrive at school on time. Arriving late will not only disrupt the rest of the students but will also cause undue stress to your child. This test is only offered once per year
- The scores from this test are not a part of your child’s permanent record, but encouraging them to do their best will help them perform better on future tests.
If you have any questions concerning the PSAT 8/9, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Nancy Thatcher
College Counselor