Image courtesy of Iliana Deftereos
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Clarkstown North sophomores had the opportunity to take the Pre-ACT, whereas many juniors took the PSAT. Both tests allowed students to practice styles of standardized testing, with many planning to take these standardized tests as a college entrance exam.
Additionally, juniors have the opportunity to become a National Merit Scholar if they score in the top 1% of their state. The PSAT consists of a reading and math section for a total of 139 questions in 165 minutes. It is scored on a scale from 320-1520.
When asked about how she felt about the PSAT, Zoey Count said, “I felt that the PSAT was really helpful in showing what the SAT will look like when I really take it. It really helped me with what to expect regarding the types of questions.” Adding on, “It really gave me a sense of time and the atmosphere that I will take it in.”
While North juniors were working hard during the SAT, the sophomores were completing the Pre-ACT. The Pre-ACT was a similar practice exam that helped students identify their strengths and weaknesses before taking the ACT junior year. The Pre-ACT had 136 questions, and was scored on a 1-35 scale. The Pre-ACT also had reading and math sections, but unlike the PSAT, it also included a science section.
Speaking to sophomore Anika Bhat about the exam, she said, “It was good. I thought the questions were a good reflection of what we learned so far. I thought the English sections were the hardest, and the Math section was the easiest.”
Overall, both the Pre-ACT and PSATs were helpful indicators of how students will perform on standardized exams as they prepare for the future.