BY LAURA MURPHY -There was a widespread sense of gloom at CHS this morning as all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors were required to sharpen their #2 pencils, find their calculators, and take one of the least popular standardized tests – the PSAT.

According to the College Board, 3.6 million students take the PSAT each year. The PSAT is a test that determines a pupil’s college readiness. The results from the test allow for juniors to qualify for scholarships such as the National Merit Scholarship.

Communications High School distributes rigorous test to all freshmen and sophomores in addition to the juniors in order for them to practice. The College Board says that students in 10th grade or below who take the test benefit from receiving early feedback.

“Taking the test your freshman year helps you get an idea of what it will be like,” said freshman Michelle Etienne of Avon. “I think I did okay.”

While the test was a trial run for freshmen and sophomores, this was the juniors third and final time taking the PSAT.

“The test wasn’t that bad this year,” junior Emma McCaffery of Middletown said. “I’ve seen the test twice before and I feel confident that I did well.”

Students will receive their PSAT scores in mid-December.