Juniors at Viewmont High School in Bountiful must sign up for the PSAT by Oct. 7, and sophomores who wait past Oct. 14 risk losing a seat.

The school will administer the PSAT to sophomores and juniors on Wednesday, Oct. 21, starting at 7:30 a.m. in the Media Center, according to a school announcement. The test costs $18. Students pay at the Main Office.

Juniors face the earlier deadline. They can purchase a test through Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. Sophomores may begin registering Thursday, Oct. 8. The final cutoff for all students is Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m., or whenever seats sell out.

The school said seats are limited and urged students to register early.

Why it matters for juniors

For juniors, the PSAT doubles as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Only juniors are eligible to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program through their scores.

The program, run by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, draws roughly 1.4 million entrants each year and names about 17,000 Semifinalists, the top scorers in each state, according to Oriel Admissions. The most recent completed cycle distributed about 6,930 scholarships worth nearly $26 million.

Utah's Semifinalist cutoff for the Class of 2026 was a Selection Index of 213, according to PrepScholar. The Class of 2027 cutoff has not been published yet.

Unlike the SAT and ACT, juniors get only one shot at the PSAT, according to Galin Education.

For sophomores

Sophomores are not eligible for National Merit through this sitting. The school's announcement noted the test still helps younger students identify academic strengths, practice the SAT format and build familiarity with timed college-readiness testing.

How to register

Students pay $18 at the Viewmont High Main Office during school hours. Juniors must register by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. Sophomores may register starting Thursday, Oct. 8, through 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. Once seats are gone, registration closes.