Senior Silas Aberer has earned the distinction of being named a Semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing him among the top scorers nationwide on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Aberer prepared for the test with a mix of strategy and discipline.
“I made sure to take it once before to identify my weak areas, and then I used Khan Academy’s PSAT math course to practice some of those skills,” he said. “The most important thing was the English section because that score is doubled in the final calculation. I felt pretty comfortable on that section because I was reading a lot at the time, which gave me a lot of reference material to compare test questions to.”
Looking ahead, Aberer plans to pursue a degree in cybersecurity. He noted that being a Semifinalist has the potential to open doors.
“Some institutions expand their scholarships to fully cover tuition if I make it to the Finalist stage,” he said. “Doing so would allow me to obtain a degree without taking on debt from student loans.”
Aberer also offered advice for underclassmen hoping to follow in his footsteps.
“Take the test multiple times and study any weak points you had,” he recommended. “Getting a good night’s sleep is also really important to make sure you’re not sabotaging yourself by arriving tired.”
Aberer will now continue in the competition process, with Finalists to be named in early 2026.
Students hoping to follow in Aberer’s footsteps must take the PSAT during their junior year.
The PSAT exam is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8. Juniors may sign up at the Burroughs Online Store or in the Finance Office. Sign-ups close Sept. 26. The test costs $20 and space is limited. Contact Asst. Principal Chris Ostermann with any questions.
