What Is the PSAT Test Everything You Need to Know

What Is the PSAT Test Everything You Need to Know SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Most students know what the SAT is,but what is the PSAT? Sure, it's got"SAT" in its name, but is the PSAT actually connected to the SAT? More importantly, how does the PSAT test work and what is its purpose? In this article,we’ll answer your most pressingquestion: what is thePSAT test?We'll start by explaining the meaning of PSAT and whystudents typically elect to take it. We'll then go over the logistics of the test and how PSAT scoring works. Finally, we'll finish with a brief discussion about how important PSAT scores actually are for students. What Is the PSAT? How Is It Connected to the SAT? To start, what is the PSAT test? Cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)- often shortened to PSAT- is a standardized testtargeting 10th and 11th graders in the US. Every year, approximately3.5 million students take the PSAT test at various high schools. But why take it at all? As it stands, the PSAT is heavily connected to the SAT.One of the test's primary purposes is to act as a precursor to the SAT- as the name suggests, as an SAT practice test. Thus, thePSAT and SAT heavilymirror each other in regard tocontent, structure, and even scoring. But the two tests aren't identical. Here are some majordifferences between the PSAT and SAT: The SAT hasan optional Essay section, whereas the PSAT does not The PSAT is slightly easier than the SAT There are fewer questions on the PSAT than there are on the SAT Now, let's jump back to the"NMSQT" part of the full PSAT name. 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 becomeSemifinalists. Of these, about 7,500 go on to win scholarship money. Finally, what about the PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9? The main purpose of these two tests is to prepare students for the PSAT/NMSQT and eventually the SAT. Nearly identical to the PSAT/NMSQT, the PSAT 10 is only offered in the spring and is specifically geared toward 10th graders. As a result,the PSAT 10 is slightly easier than the PSAT/NMSQT. Additionally, because only 10th graders can take the PSAT 10, this test cannotqualify you for National Merit. The PSAT 8/9, on the other hand, targets even younger folks- you guessed it: 8th and 9th graders- and is administeredin 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. Why Do Students Take the PSAT? 10th and 11th graders take the PSAT primarily forthe following three reasons: To practice for the SAT:One of the most common reasons students, especially juniors, take the PSAT is to get familiar with the layout and content of the SAT, which is often required for college admission. The PSAT provides students with the opportunity to get a feel for the SAT, and helps them identify potential strengths and weaknesses. To secure a National Merit distinction or scholarship:The other major reason students take the PSAT is to try to win a National Merit scholarship. Each year about 1.6 million juniors enter the National Merit competition viathe PSAT. Of these test takers 16,000 will become Semifinalists, and of these Semifinalists 15,000 will become Finalists. In the end,7,500 entrants will each win a $2,500 scholarship along with the (extremely prestigious) distinction of National Merit Scholar. To prepare for a second attempt at the PSAT (if taking it as a sophomore): The final reason students take the PSAT is to practice for the PSAT as sophomores before taking it again as juniors. Although sophomores aren’t eligible for National Merit,taking the PSAT earlycanincrease your shot at getting a high PSAT score- and a coveted National Merit scholarship- later on. One thing should be noted, though: at some high schools, the PSAT is mandatory for certain grade levels or groups of students. This means that some studentswill take the PSAT simply because they have to. Even if the test is required by your school, your PSAT score will never affect your GPA or your chance of getting into college. Bonus: Aiming for a National Merit Scholarship? If you're not sure you can self-study your way to a qualifying PSAT score, you'll love our PSAT prep program, PrepScholar. We designed our program to learn your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics and customize your prep to be as effective as possible for you. When you start with PrepScholar, you’ll take a diagnostic that will determine your weaknesses in over forty PSAT skills. PrepScholar then creates a study program specifically customized for you. To improve each skill, you’ll take focused lessons dedicated to each skill, with over 20 practice questions per skill. This will train you for your specific area weaknesses, so your time is always spent most effectively to raise your score. We also force you to focus on understanding your mistakes and learning from them. If you make the same mistake over and over again, we'll call you out on it. There’s no other prep system out there that does it this way, which is why we get better score results than any other program on the market. Check it out today with a 5-day free trial: Where and When Is the PSAT? Unlike the SAT, you do notget to choose your test center; rather, you register for and take the PSAT test at your own high school (or a nearbyschool, should your school not offer it). 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. Sowhen can you take the PSAT? The PSAT is administered every autumn, usually starting in early or mid-October, on three dates: A primary date A Saturday date An alternate date Again, you donot 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 PSATon the primary date. To confirmyour school's PSAT test date, consult your counselor. Here is the anticipated 2019 official PSAT testing schedule: Primary Date Saturday Date Alternate Date Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Saturday, October 19, 2019 Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Source: The College Board How Much Does the PSAT Cost? The PSAT costs $16, butthis 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 asto compensate for the hiring of test proctors. Your school (or the school at which you're taking the PSAT test) should give youinstructions on how to pay for the testand by when you'll need to submit your payment. Most schools request PSAT payments from students by around September. Note that you will neverneed to pay the College Board directly (that’s theschool’s job!). If you can’t afford the test fee, you might be eligible for a PSAT fee waiver. Feewaivers are typically available to low-income 11th graders only. To see whether you qualify for a waiver, consult your counselor. Only schools- not students- can request fee waivers from the College Board. What Does the PSAT Cover? The PSAT, which underwent a redesign in 2015 to accompany the 2016 SAT redesign, is extremely similar to the SAT in bothform and content. There are three sections on the PSAT: Reading, Writing and Language (hereafter "Writing"), and Math. (AsI mentioned, there's no optional Essay section on the PSAT.)Each section appears only once on the PSAT in a predetermined order: (1) Reading, (2) Writing, and (3) Math. Similar to theSAT, the PSAT Math section consists of two subsections: a No Calculator subsection on which you may not use a calculator, and a Calculator subsection on which you may use a (pre-approved) calculator. 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, oreight questions, are grid-ins. Belowis the general breakdown of the PSAT. You can see when eachsection appears on the test, how much time you’ll havefor each section, and how many questions there are.Foran even better idea of what’ll be on the PSAT, I suggest looking atanofficial PSAT practice test. PSAT Section Order on Test Time Allotted # of Questions Reading 1 60 mins 47 Writing and Language 2 35 mins 44 Math No Calculator 3 25 mins 17 Math Calculator 4 45 mins 31 How Is the PSAT Scored? The total PSAT score range is 320-1520 in 10-point increments.This score consists of your Math score and your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score, both of which are scored on a scale of160-760.(EBRW is a combination of the Reading and Writing sections.) These two section scores are actually your scaled, or equated, scores.Buthow do you getthese scores? On the PSAT, you start off with three raw scores, one each for Reading, Writing, and Math.A raw score is equal tothe number of questions you answered correctly. You do not lose any points for incorrect answers! Your raw scores for each section are then converted into test scores on a scale of 8-38through a special equating process described in our guide to PSAT scoring. It should also be noted here that thesetest scores, when combined and multiplied by 2, give you yourSelection Index score, which the NMSC uses to determine eligibility for the National Merit competition. Your Math test score is multiplied by 20 to give you a scaled Math score out of 760. Similarly, your Reading and Writing scores are combined and multiplied by 10 to give you a single scaled EBRW score (also out of 760). In addition to section scores, you’ll be givensubscores and cross-test scores. These scores are the same as those on the SAT and indicate your mastery of specific skills. Subscores have a score range of1-15,whereas cross-test scores have a score range of8-38. Here is a list of the sevensubscores on the PSAT test: EBRW Command of Evidence Words in Context Expression of Ideas Standard English Conventions Math Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Data Analysis Passport to Advanced Math And here are the twocross-test scores on the PSAT: Analysis in History/Social Studies Analysis in Science At present,the average PSAT score is 1014 for 11th graders and 934 for 10th graders. A good PSAT score for you, though, will depend on what your PSAT goals are. If youhope to qualify for National Merit, you’ll need a score thatplaces you in the top 1% of test takers foryour state. A good PSAT score could also be any score in the75th percentile or higher, or simply any score similartowhat you'll need on the SAT to get into the colleges you're planning on applying to. But in the end, does your PSAT score really mean anything? Does Your PSAT Score Actually Matter? The truth is that your PSAT score is far less important than your SAT (or ACT) score is. This is mainly because the PSAT isn't used for college admissions. Moreover, your PSAT score has no effect on your GPA, so if you really don’t want to take the test, you don't actually need to (unless it’s mandatory at your school). 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. Nevertheless, if you’re hoping to eventually secure a high SAT score, approaching the PSAT with diligence will be critical for your success. Why? You see, PSAT scores directly translate into SAT scores.So a 1400 on the PSAT equals a 1400 on the SAT, a 900 equals a 900, and so on. In short, your PSAT score acts as a predictor of your SAT score. Of course, your PSAT score doesn’t take into account any additional time you’ll spend studying for the SAT, so it's not likely going to be 100% accurate. But whatyour PSAT score does offer is a clear idea as towhere you’re currently scoring and how much of an improvement you’ll need to make in order to hityour SAT goal score. Simply put,you can use yourPSAT score as your baseline SAT score,making it a fairly useful (and thusimportant) score to know. Summary: What Is the PSAT? Is It Important? The PSAT/NMSQT, or PSAT, is a practice test for the SAT that's offered every fall for10th and 11th graders. Italso serves as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which awards $2,500 scholarships annually to high-scoring 11th graders. You must register for thePSAT test at your own school (or a nearby school) and take it on the test date chosenby your school. The testfee is $16, but this cost varies depending on the school. Fee waivers are usuallyavailable to low-income juniors. The overall structure and content of the PSAT is similar to that of the SAT.There are three sections (Reading, Writing, and Math) that combine to give you a score between 320 and 1520. PSAT scores directly correspond toSAT scores,meaning a score on the PSAT will always equalthe same score on the SAT. Ultimately, how important your PSAT score is depends on what you planto do with it.If you want toqualify for National Meritor eventually get a high SAT score, it's critical that you get a good PSAT score. But if not, your PSAT score won't hold much significance for you or anyone else. In any case,your PSAT score will always be far less important than your SAT (or ACT) score will be! What’s Next? Want to learn more about thePSAT?Check out our expert guide to the PSATfor an extensive overview of everything you'll need to know about the test and what's on it. Confused about PSAT scores?Our in-depth analysis of the PSAT score rangetakes aclose look athow the PSAT is scored andexplains howyou can usethis knowledge to your advantage. Readyto register for the PSAT?Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how the PSAT registration process works as well as how it differs from theSAT registrationprocess. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: