NASHUA – High school sophomores will have the opportunity to take the PSAT for free this month, with the cost of administering the test being picked up by a federal grant.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1,000 10th grade students – 500 at Nashua High School North and 500 at Nashua High School South – will be able to take the PSAT during the school day. That is expected to be enough to cover the city’s entire sophomore class. The day has been changed to an early release to give the students taking the test the rest of the day off.

The PSAT is a test used to prepare students for the SAT, but it is also used as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program. The test measures skills in critical reading, math problem solving and writing. One of the benefits in taking the test is that it gives students feedback on their strengths and weaknesses in what they’ll need to know for college.

Before this year, students had to pay the $25 fee for the test and come in on a Saturday to take it. This will give 1,000 students the chance to take it for free during a school day.

Nashua South principal Jennifer Seusing said there are several benefits to the program, both for the students and the schools. Most importantly, it means all high school sophomores will get critical feedback on where they need to focus their studies as they look ahead toward college, she said.

“It helps them with decision making into their junior and senior years,” Seusing said.

It also enters them into chances for scholarships and prepares them for the SAT, she said. This removes any barriers to them taking it, she said. Although not required, “Our expectation is that all sophomores will take the test,” Seusing said.

From the perspective of the two high schools, the results of the PSAT can be mined to see where students are struggling and where they are doing well, giving teachers the chance to shape their curriculum based on that feedback.

The cost of giving students the PSAT is being covered by funding from the Smaller Learning Communities grant, a program that directs money toward large high schools with enrollments exceeding 1,000.

Peggy Reynolds, manager of the grant for the Nashua School District, said the exact cost hasn’t been determined yet.

Up to 250 high school juniors will also get the opportunity to take the test Oct. 12. Although they will have to pay, Seusing said there is still the advantage of being able to take it during the school day. There were still slots available for juniors who wanted to sign up, she said.

The College Board, which governs the PSAT, limits when testing can take place. Because Oct. 12 was the only day the test could be administered, the district had to change the date of this month’s early release for the high schools from Wednesday, Oct. 26, to that day. Elementary and middle schools will still have early release on Oct. 26.

Superintendent Mark Conrad said that while late changes to the calendar typically want to be avoided, this was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“It will encourage every student to think about the fact that they can be successful with the SAT and the college process, he said.

Michael Brindley can be reached at 594-6426 or mbrindley@nashuatelegraph.com.