Coming back from spring break starts off with a bang with PSAT testing. Freshman, sophomores and juniors will be testing the first couple days everyone comes back to school. Luckily for seniors, that means an extended vacation. For the rest of the school, however, this means hours sitting in the same seat bubbling in some answers. Most of the underclassmen do not really prepare for the PSAT. Sophomore Lily Renke, doesn’t think she will prepare specifically for the PSAT this year.

“Usually I just pay attention in my classes and really I just want to see where I’m at so I know what I need to study for when I’m a junior and taking the SAT,” Renke said.

There are merit scholarships students can win if they do well on the PSAT, but Renke doesn’t think she’ll be going for that this year.

Some students can get worried about taking the PSAT.  Freshman Lindsey Van Buhler isn’t stressing too much for the test this year though.

“I’ll be a little nervous but I think it’s more for practice and to know what you need to do to prepare,” Van Buhler said.

Most students do see the PSAT as good practice for the SAT that the juniors have to take. Renke plans on preparing for that test though.

“To prepare for next year I think I’ll probably get some prep books and maybe get a tutor,” Renke said.

The Washington Post reports that said getting a tutor can improve students SAT score. Some parents will hire tutors for their children for a little extra help. Renke says that her parents do not necessarily care about her scores now but do want her to succeed on the SAT.

“My parents don’t really care about my score now, they want me to do well on the SAT but this is more of a learning opportunity to see where I’m at and what I need to improve on,” Renke said.