Lessons Studying for any test can be overwhelming, but our free study guides for the PSAT/NMSQT exam will help you know where to start and exactly what to study. This way, you can make the most of valuable study time and study only what you need to know.
If you're uncertain whether your school will be administering the PSAT, or if you'd like to look for a list of schools in your area that will be administering it, use the College Board's school search tool.
The PSAT/NMSQT has three parts: the Reading Test, the Writing and Language Test, and the Math Test. See sample PSAT/NMSQT questions. PSAT/NMSQT scores are available online in December.
Again, you do not get to choose when you take the test. Instead, your school will decide on which date it will administer the PSAT. By far the vast majority of schools hold the PSAT on the primary date. To confirm your school's PSAT test date, consult your counselor.
In this lesson, you learned about the PSAT, which is a standardized test taken in high school to prepare for the SAT and qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT has two sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. The math section has just one test, the Math Test.
The PSAT. The PSAT/NMSQT stands for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test taken by high school students to practice for the SAT and determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT is administered by the College Board, the same company that writes the SAT.
First up is your percentile. Your percentile rank compares your score to all the other scores of everyone else in your grade who took the test. It'll be a number between 1 and 100, telling you what percentage of other test-takers did worse than you.
On the Writing, you'll get a little less. This means you'll have to work fast to finish all the questions in time. The PSAT isn't just a test of what you know; it's also a test of how well you can apply that knowledge under pretty intense time pressure.
Test Sections. The PSAT is divided into 2 sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. The Math section has just one test: the math test. The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section has two tests: the reading test and the writing and language test. The Math Test is 70 minutes long with 48 questions.
The PSAT is administered by the College Board, the same company that writes the SAT. It isn't evaluated as part of your college applications, but that doesn't mean it's not important! Doing well on the PSAT might win you some scholarship money, and it'll certainly help prepare you to take the SAT later.
Whether you are allowed to use a calculator or not, there are some basics you’ll need to know before taking the PSAT/NMSQT exam Math Tests. One section allows the use of a calculator and one does not. Both sections assume you have some basic knowledge of a number of important math concepts.
The score for this PSAT/NMSQT exam section will be combined with your score on the Writing and Language section to form your “Evidence-Based Reading and Writing” score. Use this study guide so you’ll know what reading skills to review as you prepare.
Your ability to evaluate written language can tell a lot about your writing ability. Even though this test does not require you to actually write an essay, you need to know how proper English works and be able to identify its components. Check out this study guide and you’ll know exactly what to review!
Of all possible PSAT study materials, practice tests are arguably the best resources available. With practice tests, you’re getting authentic PSAT questions wrapped up in a complete test-taking experience.
What you'll want to do is take one practice test at the beginning of your studies to get your baseline score (i.e., the score you start with). Then, follow Step 2 above to set a PSAT/SAT goal score. Once you've completed some PSAT prep, take another practice test to see whether you're closer to hitting your goal score.
The only cases in which PSAT prep courses and tutoring sessions are useful is when you want to qualify for National Merit or get a super high SAT score. In these cases, additional PSAT guidance can shed some much-needed light on critical concepts and skills you need to work on in order to get the score you want.
For one, the PSAT is essentially a gateway to doing well on the SAT. Because the primary aim of the PSAT is to prepare you for the SAT (hence its name, "Preliminary SAT"), the two tests share several similarities. As a result, prepping for the PSAT can give you an early sense of what SAT content areas you'll need to strengthen and what strategies and approaches work well for you.
As you may remember, the PSAT is very similar to the SAT, so if you’re at all familiar with the SAT format, know that the PSAT is strongly tied to it. The only major differences between the PSAT and SAT are that the PSAT: 1 contains fewer questions 2 lacks an essay component 3 is slightly easier
So a 1300 on the PSAT indicates the same level of ability as a 1300 on the SAT does.
Lastly, PSAT test prep is essential if you’re hoping to qualify for National Merit. All juniors who take the PSAT are automatically entered into the National Merit Scholarship Program, which awards annual $2,500 scholarships to top scorers.
There are three sections on the PSAT: Reading, Writing and Language (hereafter "Writing"), and Math.
Every year, approximately 3.5 million students take the PSAT test at various high schools.
The only major function of PSAT scores is to win scholarship money and the honor of National Merit Scholar. But unless you're actively aiming for National Merit status, your PSAT score isn't actually that important.
In addition to being a preparatory test for the SAT, the PSAT is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. In other words, PSAT scores determine students' eligibility for National Merit scholarships. Each year the top 1% of 11th-grade PSAT takers become Semifinalists.
Most questions on the PSAT are multiple choice. The only exceptions are the Math section's grid-in questions. For these questions, you must come up with and write in your own answers. According to the College Board, 17% of PSAT Math, or eight questions, are grid-ins. Below is the general breakdown of the PSAT.
The PSAT costs $17, but this price varies depending on the school. Some schools might cover all or part of this fee, making the test free for students, whereas others might require students to pay more so as to compensate for the hiring of test proctors.
The PSAT 8/9, on the other hand, targets even younger folks—you guessed it: 8th and 9th graders—and is administered in the fall and spring. Unlike both the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT, the PSAT 8/9 uses a different scoring scale and is both shorter and easier than the PSAT 10.
The PSAT is administered once a year in October. While the primary test day always takes place during the school week, there is also an opportunity to take the test on the following Saturday. If you are unable to take the test on either of these days, there is also one alternative test date that is predetermined by the test administrators. You can find the exact dates for the next testing period right here.
PSAT Reading Test. The Reading Test is comprised of passages taken from literature, historical documents, and other similar sources. Each passage is followed by multiple-choice questions that test your ability to extract meaning, understand complex wording, find the main idea, and interpret the author’s intention.
While the PSAT and SAT are very similar, they do have a few important differences. As stated above, the two tests are scored differently. With the exception of the optional essay section, both exams cover the same test subjects and include the same types of questions.
The PSAT is scored a little differently than the SAT. On the SAT, the Reading and Writing Tests are scored on a scale from 200 to 800, and the Math Test is scored on its own using the same scale. So, the SAT scores can range anywhere between 400-1600, with the optional essay graded separately.
In both sections, you can expect to see problems involving Algebra I and II, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Additionally, the Math Test is the only part of the PSAT that includes questions that are not multiple-choice.
It generally takes about 6 weeks from the test date to receive your PSAT scores, and the average national score is 920.
Just like the SAT, the PSAT is broken down into 3 sections: the Reading Test, the Writing and Language Test, and the Math Test.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that 11th graders (and some 10th graders) take in October. Like the SAT, it measures the knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and math students learn in the classroom—the same knowledge and skills your child needs to succeed in college and career.
It shows student progress on the road to college. The PSAT/NMSQT is part of the SAT Suite of Assessments, a series of tests beginning in eighth grade that shows your child and their teachers whether your child is on track for college.
PSAT/NMSQT Scores. PSAT/NMSQT scores range from 320 to 1520 and are on the same score scale as the SAT. This means that a score of 1100 on the PSAT/NMSQT is equivalent to a score of 1100 on the SAT.
The PSAT/NMSQT Score Report indicates which college-level AP courses your child has the potential to succeed in.
Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT qualify for a chance to win scholarships and recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and our other scholarship partners. Learn more about the scholarships.
Once your child gets their score report, they should sit down with you and go over it. That way, you both know what to focus on to be ready for college. Score reports also indicate suitable AP or grade-level courses to take in the future. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
The best way your child can prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT is to pay attention in their high school classes and study the course material. Students who do well in school are likely to do well on the PSAT/NMSQT.
The PSAT/NMSQT stands for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It has three main functions: 1. The PSAT is prep for the SAT. The PSAT is excellent practice for the SAT. Although shorter than the SAT, it contains the same types of math, reading, and writing questions.
The PSAT helps you stand out to colleges. Many schools purchase lists of high-scoring students and encourage these students to apply. A great score on the PSAT could get you noticed by colleges and earn you small perks such as meals during visits and waived application fees.
Taking the PSAT also gives you a chance to qualify for several scholarship programs, most notably the National Merit Scholarship Program. Aside from the possibility of receiving tuition for college, the National Merit Scholarship program gives you recognition that is an impressive addition to your college applications.
Your Junior year PSAT score is what qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship. Some schools or districts will offer the PSAT to sophomores in October, or PSAT 10 in the Spring of their sophomore year. This is a good chance for extra practice, and to see how you might expect to perform when it counts Junior year.
What’s a good PSAT score? PSAT scoring can be pretty complex. You will receive a score ranging from 8 to 38 on each of the three tests (Reading, Writing & Language, and Math) as well as a score ranging from 160 to 760 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and for Math.
The PSAT/NMSQT stands for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It has three main functions:
To calculate your Selection Index, you will need to add your 3 test scores together and double it. The College Board also includes this on your report if you’re eligible.