About the PSAT

The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT, is a practice version of the SAT exam that will be offered to 10th and 11th graders. This is a timed test that normally last around 4 hours. Taking the PSAT will provide students with a detailed report on preparing for the SAT. This test not only helps students prepare for college admissions testing (SAT), it also provides insight into AP course readiness as well as open up resources for academic prep. PSAT scores are not reported on the student's transcript and will not be used as a grade in any of the student's classes.

The PSAT tests English and Math and includes 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Math with a calculator, and Math without a calculator. More information about the PSAT can be found on the college board website at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10.

How is the PSAT Scored?

Each correct answer on the PSAT counts as one point toward your raw score. There is no penalty for guessing on the PSAT, so answer every multiple-choice question even if you have to guess. Next, the raw score will be converted to the scaled score. This scaled score will range from 160 to 760 for each section, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math (there is no essay on the PSAT). The composite score is the combination of this scaled score from each section, so the composite score will range from 320 to 1520.

In addition to the scaled scores, the student will receive 3 test scores, 2 cross-test scores, and 7 subscores. The test scores for Reading, Writing, and Math will range from 8 to 38, and these scores are used to calculate the Selection Index for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The cross-test scores for Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science will also range from 8 to 38. Finally, the student will receive subscores ranging from 1 to 15 in the following areas: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Expression of Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math.

The score report will be able to be accessed on https://www.collegeboard.org/

About the National Merit Scholarship Program

The most well-known scholarship associated with the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship. This scholarship, which is offered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, provides almost 10,000 scholarships to students based on their outstanding abilities, skills, and accomplishments. Each year, the top 50,000 scorers on the PSAT get commendation letters from the National Merit program, and 16,000 of those students qualify as Semifinalists based on their performance compared to others in their state. There are three main types of National Merit Scholarships: National Merit $2500 Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.

PSAT/NMSQT scores are automatically sent to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the National Hispanic Recognition Program, the National Scholarship Service, and the Telluride Seminar Scholarships. In addition, College Board partners with groups such as the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the Cobell Scholarship (awarded by Indigenous Education, Inc.), and The Jackie Robinson Foundation to connect test takers with scholarships based on their test scores. For more on these programs, visit College Board’s website.

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