Local high school won't allow 9th graders to take the PSAT

[Janeway]

I called the local high school about having my child take the PSAT in the fall. He will be a 9th grader, or 10th grader. I figure it is best to label him as a 9th grader and accelerate him later, than label him as a 10th grader and then hold him back. BUT, because he MIGHT be a 10th grader this fall, I do not know yet what to call him, I have not decided yet which year to graduate him, I would like him to take the PSAT. The high school tells me that unless I label him a 10th grader, he cannot take the PSAT with them. Would this bother you? Would you just pass on the PSAT or keep looking for another place?

[TranquilMind]

That is really stupid.  Either do practice tests on your own or sign him up with a co-op group or a private Christian (or other) school.  They usually let anyone in, space permitting. 

[SebastianCat]

I also recommend calling around to private or Christisn schools. Many of my friends' kids have taken the PSAT and SAT at a local Christian school that is very homeschool friendly.

[clementine]

I also recommend calling around to private or Christisn schools. Many of my friends' kids have taken the PSAT and SAT at a local Christian school that is very homeschool friendly.

^  This.

[Amateur Actress]

I guess every school is different. Our local PS high school started this year giving the PSAT to both 9th and 10th graders for practice. So my homeschooled 9th grade son will be taking it with them in April. They gave me no problems.

[Janeway]

I guess every school is different. Our local PS high school started this year giving the PSAT to both 9th and 10th graders for practice. So my homeschooled 9th grade son will be taking it with them in April. They gave me no problems.

April? I thought the PSAT was fall only. Is that a practice PSAT or the real one?

[Lori D.]

Part of this may be to the recent changes in the PSAT -- they are trying to move away from 9th or 10th graders taking the official 11th grader PSAT  in Oct.) by offering new special PSAT 8/9, and PSAT-10 tests (both offered in the spring somewhere between mid-Feb. and mid-April), specifically geared for those grade of students. Of course, schools may not choose to purchase and offer these tests, so they may not be available in your area.

 

I would not be too quick to condemn the public school for limiting it to 10th and 11th graders -- schools who offer the PSAT must abide by strict rules governing testing facilities (size of room, number of desks, number of students, to be monitored by one test facilitator), and some schools can barely accommodate their own 11th graders, much less opening it up to outsiders, or to 10th graders or 9th graders.

 

You have plenty of time before the deadline for signing up for next fall -- check around and see what other high schools are offering the PSAT and if they have room for you. A longer drive is a small price to pay for getting to test if you really want to have DS take the regular PSAT this Oct. You might check and see if anyone is offering the PSAT8/9 or PSAT-10 in April and if you still have time to sign up. (The PSAT-10 is offered in the spring as specific practice/prep for 10th graders who will take the regular PSAT just 6 months later in the fall as 11th graders.)

 

BEST of luck in finding a location, and don't panic. You have lots of time still. :) Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Lori D.

[RootAnn]

The school closest to me won't let any outside kid take the PSAT. A further away one said they would let homeschoolers in if they had room. (I laughed at Lori's comments about the strict requirements. This school has kids take it in a tiny guidance counselor office- on the floor.)

 

What proof is this school requiring that you have him as a sophomore? Are they going to check his graduation date on the PSAT form? (Is there a spot for that? Is it required?)

 

Good luck calling around. Some places are good to work with and others are not. Don't burn bridges, especially if you want a spot to take an AP test later!

Edited March 23, 2016 by RootAnn

[dirty ethel rackham]

If you want to keep the flexibility, I'd call around for other options.  The high school where dd attends part-time does not allow their own freshman to take the PSAT.  Only about half of their sophomores do (usually upon recommendation from a teacher or based upon past standardized test scores.) 

[Harriet Vane]

I ran into this with my dd. I tried signing her up with a local private school, and not only did they refuse to let her test there as a 9th grader, they lectured me about how inappropriate it was. They had plenty of space, but they insisted there was "absolutely no reason" for freshman or sophomore students to take time for that test. 

 

Dd ended up taking the test at the local public school. The guidance counselor there was really lovely to us not just with that test but also with others.

 

Call around and find a place that will not be so idiotic about it.