Three Monterey County schools pay for students to take PSAT, SAT

On Wednesday morning, three Monterey County high schools paid for all of their students to take the PSAT and SAT.

Monterey, Marina and Seaside High Schools paid for all sophomores and juniors to take the PSAT and for all seniors to take the SAT. The students were also able to take it during school hours instead of going to a testing center on a Saturday.

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District said paying for the tests is significant because it levels the playing field and allows more students to take the college entrance exams.

In total, 2,190 students took the tests Wednesday morning. 785 sophomores took the PSAT, 705 juniors took the PSAT and 700 seniors took the SAT. Usually students have to pay for the tests themselves and take them on their own time.