It might be difficult to imagine taking a test 70 years ago. Although it feels so deep in the past, there are some things that have remained the same. 

In 1961, excelling Walter Johnson students were first allowed to register to take the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The same three hour test, also known as the PSAT, is still offered to juniors at WJ. Along with the PSAT, the SAT was offered to students in the area. The concept of the test has remained largely unchanged, although the specifics have changed over time.

“The test was divided into six parts, generally three verbal and three math sections,” class of 1977 graduate Joan Doniger said. “I was quite lucky in that I got four verbal sections and two math both times I took the test.” 

Now, the SAT has a total of two sections (reading/writing and math) consisting of four modules and the test is entirely digital.

In 1961, excelling Walter Johnson students were allowed to register to take the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The same three hour test, also known as the PSAT, is still offered to juniors at WJ. Along with the PSAT, the SAT was offered to students in the area. The concept of the test has remained largely unchanged, although the specifics have changed over time.

The NMSQT was previously offered to only juniors, used for scholarship qualifications and practice. Now, the PSAT is offered for sophomores and juniors, but only juniors are able to qualify for national merit. 

In 1961, the registration fee for the PSAT was $1, juniors now pay $17 to take it, while sophomores are given the test as practice for free. Formerly, the test was taken in the spring on a Saturday, while in 2026, schools designate a school day (usually in the fall) to take the NMSQT/PSAT. 

“The biggest difference I can think of between the SATs then and now is that there was very little standardized test prep,” Doniger said. “We went into the SATs flying blind, the test prep was the PSAT.” 

Preparing to take the SAT with prep courses became more standard in the 1980s, prep courses were offered to students in order to improve their scores. These prep courses consisted of live classes, study packets and practice tests. 

In 1977, the fee to take the SAT was about $7, taking the test today costs $68. However, this doesn’t include all of the test prep that students pay for as well. A typical preparation course can exceed the cost of $1,000. 

“I got an online prep course and I did weekly meetings. My parents paid $1,000 dollars for the course,” senior Raquel Mena said.

The PSAT isn’t the only standardized test that students take in school. Schools are also required to administer national tests for the sake of national data. This was especially true after the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. Tests like the WIDA were implemented during the early 2000s and remain a benchmark for academics today. 

Overall, the standardized tests given have become more inclusive and accessible and it has become normalized to put more time into preparing for tests.