Senior James McMasters flips through 530 white index cards one last time, reading each vocabulary word and rattles off the definition without flipping the card. He reviews the test taking skills he practiced over the summer while he confidently steps into the classroom and scans the room for an empty seat. Once seated McMasters opens the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) booklet and begins reading the first question.

Around 1.5 million juniors entered the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2010 PSAT/NMSQT. McMasters was awarded the title of a Semifinalist along with approximately 16,000 seniors across the nation. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

“The PSAT/NMSQT is kind of a ‘kiddish test’,” McMasters said. “So you just take it and try to do your best.”

McMasters became a National Merit Scholarship candidate during his sophomore year when he received a commended score on the 2009 PSAT/NMSQT. He then attended a summer class to help prepare him for the PSAT/NMSQT his junior year.

“I had a lot of friends that had been National Merit Scholarship canidate in the past,” McMasters said. “I thought that it would be cool to be up there with all those people.”

Out of the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist round. To become a finalist, a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. McMasters had to fill out and application, which included an essay written by him and information about his participation and leadership in school and community activities.

“I definitely feel like being a National Merit Scholarship canidate has given me more opportunities than I would have had if I wasn’t one,” McMasters said. “Because now when I apply to colleges the title of National Merit Scholarship candidate will help me out.”

In February, McMasters will receive notification if he advanced to the finalist round.

“For some people they would be very proud if they were a National Merit Scholarship canidate, but I try not to brag or make it a big deal,” McMasters said. “Really, it is only about test taking skills.”