The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT is a great primer for the SAT, and even the ACT, but it’s more than just a trial run. PSAT scores are used to identify National Merit Scholars and award merit scholarships. More than 3.4 million high school students (mostly juniors and sophomores) take this nationwide, multiple-choice test every year.
Frequency
1 time/year
Duration
2 hours, 45 minutes
Sections
Math, Evidence-Based Reading & Writing
Cost
Fees are paid by schools
Max. Score
1520
The PSAT won’t count towards your college admissions applications, but it is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. Some of the highest scoring students may win scholarship money, so while you shouldn’t stress out about the PSAT, you certainly shouldn’t ignore it either. Use the PSAT as practice for the SAT and ACT and an important guidepost on your college admissions journey.
The PSAT is offered nationally every year in October. Ask your school counselor about when your class is scheduled to take the PSAT. View upcoming PSAT test dates.
The PSAT has two sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. You’ll encounter passage-based questions—sometimes accompanied by tables, graphs, and charts—and math problems drawing upon algebra, geometry, and a little trig.
Learn about the 2015 changes to the PSAT.
Each section is scored on a scale of 160–760, making a “perfect” score 1520. There are also test scores, cross-test scores, and sub-scores. Find out more about PSAT scoring.
Good question. The highest scores and percentiles earn National Merit Recognition. But PSAT scores are also useful in determining your best prep strategies for the SAT or ACT.
Check with a counselor at your school or at a school in your community to sign up.