PSAT
2026 PSAT / NMSQT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
EXAM DATE - Thursday, October 22nd, 8:30 AM, NCHS Small Gym
REGISTRATION AND FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AN EXAM ORDERED FOR YOU.
READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW TO GET REGISTERED
Dear NCHS Junior (Class of 2028):
Normal Community High School will offer the PSAT/NMSQT on Thursday, October 22nd, for current juniors (Class of 2028). All Juniors are eligible to take this test, though it is NOT a requirement for graduation. The PSAT/NMSQT is very similar to the SAT, so it is good practice if you plan to take an SAT before you graduate. The PSAT/NMSQT is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. We especially encourage academically successful students to participate. The National Merit Scholarship Program sponsors the competition for National Merit Scholarships. They also sponsor competitions for scholarships offered by local corporations like State Farm and Country Financial, as well as the National Achievement Scholarship Program. For information about the PSAT/NMSQT and about scholarship opportunities, please visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scholarships-recognition.
The 2026 PSAT/NMSQT will be administered at NCHS in the West Gym beginning at 8:30 AM. Students who have been approved to test with accommodations will receive more information about their testing location and the length of their test closer to the test date. The test will be 100% digital. Students must use their Unit 5 Chromebook. The test will use the Bluebook app on your Chromebook. You can bring pens or pencils for scratch work and an approved calculator, though a calculator will be available on screen during the exam.
NCHS students will be registering online through the website Total Registration. This will only take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer or device with internet access. In order to register, students should click on the link provided on the Counselors page of the NCHS website or visit www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/143200.
Families will be able to pay for the exam online at the time of registration. Please be sure to have a credit card or debit card available before beginning registration. Families who prefer to mail payment will be instructed on how to do so on the registration website. Homeschool students will also be able to register using this link.
Registration Timeline and Fees
• Regular Registration ($20) – Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 3:00 PM through Friday, October 2 at 11:55 PM.
• Late Registration ($23) – Saturday, Oct. 2 at 12:00 AM through Sunday, Oct. 18 at 11:55 PM.
**Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch will be able to request a fee waiver during the completion of online registration. Upon confirmation of free/reduced lunch status, the $20.00 registration fee will be cancelled.
Students who qualify for testing accommodations through their IEP or 504 plan will indicate that when registering. If these accommodations have already been approved by the College Board, they will be added to the registration. If you are requesting accommodations that have not been previously approved by the College Board, we will apply for those accommodations, but there is no guarantee they will be approved in time for the test.
Any registration that is cancelled after Friday, October 2 will incur a $5 late cancellation fee. If you have any questions before registering, please email Mr. Short at shortre@unit5.org. He will reply to your email before the end of the next school day.
Sincerely, NCHS School Counselors
Here are the important dates for registration and testing:
• Wednesday, September 2: Regular registration begins at 3:00 PM.
• Friday, October 2: Regular registration (no late fee) ends at 11:55 PM
• Sunday, October 18: Late Registration (including $3 late fee) closes at 11:55 PM
• Wed.-Fri., October 14-16: Student Readiness Check of Chromebooks (more details to come later)
• Thursday, October 22: Test begins promptly at 8:30 AM in the West Gym. Students will report to lunch and class as usual following the exam.