This past October, the sophomores and juniors at River Dell High School took the PSAT, aiming to achieve high scores. The PSAT, officially known as the Preliminary SAT, is not only an exam to prepare for the SAT, but also an opportunity for juniors to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The test includes Math and English sections and takes place over the span of two and a half hours. Achieving recognition as a National Merit Scholar provides financial aid and academic distinction recognized by colleges.
Each year, over 1.6 million students take the exam throughout the country, but only 16,000 are named Semi-Finalists. The results for the previous year were announced this past September, with the finalists to be announced in February of 2026. At RDHS, two of the students, Maxx Doo and Ethan Son, earned this honor, joining the top 1% of students nationally.
“I was super shocked,” Maxx Doo exclaimed. He explained that because of the SAT, he had minimal time to study specifically for the PSAT. However, he noted that “those skills still translated directly onto the PSAT.”
While both were proud of their achievements, they emphasized the importance of using the PSAT as a learning opportunity. With the format and problems being like the SAT’s, they stressed the need to also “grind out SAT practice tests” and to understand why the answer was wrong, not just to look at the answers.
Both agreed that due to the similarity between the test, students would benefit from regular practice tests and thorough review sessions.
Mrs. Kirkby, RD’s Director of Guidance, helped organize the exams and highlighted how everyday work played a crucial role. She encourages students to “take the River Dell coursework seriously,” adding that classroom lessons provide a strong foundation.
Overall, achieving this status not only highlights the individual achievements of Doo and Son, but also reflects the collective support they received from teachers, counselors, and others.
As the seniors take pride in their work and juniors eagerly await their own results, Doo’s and Son’s accomplishments encourage future students to challenge themselves academically and take every opportunity to learn and grow.
