Most 10th and 11th graders take the PSAT at school in October. Here’s what you need to know about the test.
What is the PSAT?
The PSAT is a practice SAT test.
Do my PSAT scores matter?
PSAT scores are not part of the college admission process, they are used as a predictor of SAT scores and college readiness.
What is the difference between the PSAT and the SAT?
The PSAT is scored on a different scale for each section (160-760) than the SAT (200-800). The difference in score is because the SAT has additional harder questions. The SAT is taken later and takes into account a student’s age and mastery of more academic content.
Does the PSAT count for anything?
The PSAT taken in junior year is used to qualify students for National Merit Scholarship (students scoring in the top 1% of students who took PSAT nationwide). There are also some other awards and scholarships that students may qualify for with their junior year SATs. You can learn more about these at the College Board website.