The PSAT Test is used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to high-achieving students. One of the most common questions that students have about the PSAT is, “What is a Good PSAT score?” Generally, a PSAT Score of above 1070 is considered to be a Good Score as it places you in the top 75th percentile. Other factors also matter while mapping the Good PSAT Score such as cutoff score, grade level, etc.

PSAT or Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test is the test you take before the SAT. In a lot of ways, this test can help you prepare for your college admissions. It is administered by College Board and is also commonly known as the Preliminary SAT. Other than preparing the students for SAT, this test also paves the way for scholarships through National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSC).

What is PSAT Test?

PSAT is a multiple-choice test for students in grades 8-10. This test has 4 sections modeled on SAT but it does not have the optional essay section. If you are thinking SAT has 3 sections, not 4, you are right. The PSAT also has 3 main sections but its math section is divided into two parts, so officially it has four sections but if you count the subjects, they are only 3. The sections are:

• Reading
• Writing and Languages
• Math – with calculator
• Math – without a calculator

PSAT Levels

The PSAT has 3 levels according to grades. Let’s find out more about them.

1. PSAT 8/9

This level is for students in grades 8 and 9. The curriculum is set according to their level of learning and with the aim to prepare them for upcoming standardized tests. PSAT 8/9 has 3 sections Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. Test duration for this level is 2 hours 25 minutes. It is conducted all through the autumn and spring sessions.

2. PSAT 10

As the name suggests, PSAT 10 is for students in grade 10. It is given to students in the spring of their sophomore year. This level covers Reading, Writing, Language, and Math and is quite similar to the third level, NMSQT/PSAT. However, this level does not qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship.

3. NMSQT/PSAT

This is the topmost level that is taken before taking the SAT. It has the same format as the PSAT10 but this test’s scores are considered for the National Merit Scholarship and help students in their college admissions. Also, the number of questions in each section of NMSQT/PSAT is more as compared to the PSAT10. Therefore, the evaluation scores are also higher.

Ground Rules for PSAT Scoring

1. Every section is scored between 8-38 marks.
2. Evidence-based reading and writing section and math section are scored between 160-760.
3. The overall PSAT score ranges between 320-1520.
4. The final score is calculated by adding two area scores together.

Sub-Scores and Cross-Tests

The PSAT test scores include the sub-scores and the scores for cross-tests. The sub-scores are obtained by dividing the main sections into sub-sections. For example, the Math section is divided into sub-topics like Heart of Algebra and Problem Solving and Data Analysis.

Similarly, the Reading and Writing sections are divided into sub-topics like Words in Context and Expression of Ideas. All these sub-topics are scored between 1-15.

Cross-test scores come from the tests in subjects like social studies and science. Cross-test scores go from 8 to 38 and they also have sub-scores. All of these are vital for a good PSAT score.

What Constitutes the PSAT Good Score?

So, to answer the question in the title, a good PSAT score is anywhere between 500-550 in the subjects and a total between 950-1000. This score puts you ahead of the 50% of students taking PSAT. But 50^th percentile may not be the best number for scholarships and associated competitive programs. To stay way ahead of others and to realistically benefit from the PSAT test, you must get scores that fall in the category of Best and Competitive Scores.

PSAT Tutoring can help. Have you considered it already? Head to eTutorWorld’s PSAT page to find expert help on the subject. eTutorWorld offers excellent one-on-one tutoring and curated worksheets for the test. Register today to get the top scores in PSAT and to gear up for SAT.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The PSAT Test as a whole and especially the Math section is tough and students may find it difficult to crack it but with the right tips and strategies, you can succeed in the PSAT test with a good percentile. This blog will guide you with some tips and strategies to help you succeed in your PSAT.

First, let us answer the most preferred question what is PSAT? PSAT test is distinct from the examinations in your school days. Depending on the state you are in, you could win scholarship money if you are in the top 99% percentile of the PSAT/NMSQT test. This test makes you eligible for other corporate scholarships too, if you score well. This blog will guide you to the top tips & strategies for the PSAT Test. 

Understand the PSAT Test Format

Understand the format in which the questions are introduced and how long is the PSAT. What is the PSAT out of? Preparing accordingly will assist you in your search for the college of your choice. The PSAT consists of four sections Reading, Writing, and Language and Math.

The PSAT Reading Section consists of:

• Passage reading
• Command of Evidence questions
• Informational graphics questions

The PSAT Writing Section consists of:

• Identifying grammatical and sentence errors
• Correcting sentences
• Correcting paragraphs

The PSAT Math Section consists of:

• Heart of Algebra
• Problem-Solving and Data analysis
• Passport to Advanced Math (not in PSAT 8/9)
• Additional Topics in Math

The average PSAT score is 1014 for juniors and 934 for sophomores. From these estimates, you can guess what is a good PSAT score required for qualifying for a scholarship. Scoring 75% or higher is a good PSAT score. You can see your score on the College Board PSAT account.

Top 5 Tips & Strategies for the PSAT Test

PSAT Tip 1: Sorting the Test

Approaching questions, not in sequential order appears counter-intuitive. You can achieve as much score as possible by following the below steps:

1. Focus on the questions which are easy and less time-consuming.
2. Reading and writing section- begin with the passage you find flexible and move towards the difficult ones.
3. Work on the questions which are easy but time-consuming.
4. Move on to the most difficult ones.

PSAT Tip 2: Learn the Elimination Technique

There is no penalty for an incorrect answer in the PSAT. If you know which option choices are definitely incorrect, you will surely increase the possibility of picking the correct answer. To reach the possible right choice, you may have to learn the elimination techniques:

1. Making the best possible guess.
2. Reading the options carefully.
3. Finding options that seem false.

PSAT Tip 3: Take PSAT Practice Tests

Solve the PSAT Practice Test series and previous year’s questions. The PSAT Practice Test is the best reference available for PSAT preparation. Follow only trustworthy, high-quality sample questions. They are the best ones to track your progress. Solve as many as PSAT tests possible. This will help you to comprehend the type of questions in the final exam. Take the tests in the constraint environment along with setting timings and no distractions and examine whether you are achieving a good score.

PSAT Tip 4: Examine your Mistakes

Spend time deciding where your logic went wrong. Analyze the type of mistakes you are doing in every test series. In what type of questions you are getting stuck every time? Mark your mistakes and weak points. Try to rectify them or take help from an online tutor and try to fix them before the PSAT exam.

PSAT Tip 5: Read as much as Possible

Students should regularly grow and develop their reading skills to avoid difficulty with the reading, writing, and language section because this exam ultimately checks their understanding and knowledge of the English language. Bring this habit into your daily routine. Reading newspapers, magazines, books, and articles can intensify your understanding and retention ability.

These steps will surely help you to strengthen your preparation and help you analyze your strong and weak points. Now brush up on your skills and get ready for the exam. We wish you all the best!

The Preliminary SAT or PSAT is answered by about 3.4 million high school students in their junior and sophomore years nationwide. It doesn’t help in the process of college admissions directly, but it serves as a great primer and prerequisite to the SAT tests and even the ACT as a trial run. Although it isn’t necessary to give the PSAT test before your senior year, it gives students the opportunity to get experience with the SAT…Hence, making them more comfortable when they give the actual SAT a year or two later.

The PSAT is held once a year in October, and the exam fees are usually paid by the schools, so students can give the test for free. Here are the tentative dates on which the PSAT shall be held in 2019-2020 so that you can ask your school counselor about when it will be held at your school :-

The PSAT is a two hours and 45 minutes test similar to the SAT with separate math, reading, and English writing sections. It includes evidence-based reading and writing with passage-based questions, tables, graphs, and charts; math problems based upon geometry, trigonometry, and algebra. The maximum a student can score is 1520 on the PSAT.

The most popular reason students take the PSAT, is that it serves as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship.  Students in the top 1% are awarded merit scholarship money which in turn can ease out their financial situation while paying for college in the future. This scholarship competition awards approximately 8200 students annually; and is only applicable for students in their junior year. Sophomores can sit for the PSAT as a trial run. The selection process begins with selecting about 16000 semi-finalists who score in the top one percent of students in their respective states. Finally, 8200 kids are given checks for the merit scholarship.

Another advantage of taking the PSAT is that students receive access to the ‘My College Quickstart’ portal, which serves as a personalized college and career planning kit, irrespective of your PSAT score. It’s available using the access code printed on your score report.

This useful tool provides a child’s information in four sections namely–

• The Online Score Report – it is the score report of the PSAT test taken which allows a student to review each question with correct answers and explanations given.
• The SAT study plan – it’s a customized plan according to how a student performed on the PSAT test, highlighting areas of improvement.
• College Matches – the tool creates a starter list of colleges based on your choice of a major and desired location
• Major subjects and Career matches – the tool matches the major subjects you are compatible with and also suggests a career path given your strengths and personality type.

The PSAT test has numerous advantages, even though it is not necessary for high school students to take it. It serves as a marginal gain for students who are looking to apply to premium colleges around the world, giving them feedback on their preparatory process and confidence. It also gives kids an opportunity to earn financial aid for college fees in the future, given that they score very well. It acts as an important guidepost on college admission journeys, giving students the experience of sitting for the SAT test or ACT test without ruining the actual assessment during a critical period in their senior year.

Thus a good PSAT score does matter if a student wants to attend college and build a brighter future for herself. Hence, just registering and taking the PSAT serves as a whole new experience and advantage irrespective of the score a student gets.