Click here for a video explanation of the PSAT.
The PSAT: General Information
What Is the PSAT?
It's a standardized pencil-and-paper test that gives students, usually high school juniors, an idea of how they’ll score on the SAT.
When Do I Take the PSAT?
In October, most often during eleventh grade, though you can take the PSAT one year earlier strictly for practice. It's given on one Saturday and one weekday (for students who can't take the Saturday exam for religious reasons). For specific dates, click here.
How Much Does It Cost and How Do I Sign Up?
The College Board, which administers the test, is charging $13 in 2010. You school may add a little more to that fee to cover facility and supervisors' costs. Your guidance counselor will have enrollment information.
Why Should I Take the PSAT?
- If you're among the 50,000 highest-scorers, you'll automatically be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. From this group, about 16,000 students, representing the top scorers from every state, become semifinalists. Semifinalists must get good grades, do well on the SAT and submit a biography and letters of recommendation. After another elimination round, 8,200 students receive National Merit Scholarships.
- Even if you're not a Merit winner, several organizations consider PSAT scores when they're deciding on scholarship awards.
- Since the PSAT is organized along the lines of the SAT, it's good practice. And because your PSAT scores are not released to colleges, there's no downside.
- When you sign up for the PSAT, you'll receive a college and career-planning guide called My Road: It features tools like a personality profile, to help you think about what you want to do in life.
- You'll also have the option of getting mailings from colleges who are looking to recuit students like you.
What’s on the PSAT?
There are three sections to the exam:
- Critical Reading: Tests vocabulary, comprehension and more. It's divided into two 25-minute sections and contains 48 questions.
- Mathematics: Tests basic arithmetic, algebra and geometry skills. The Math section includes a total of 39 questions divided into two 25-minute sections.
- Writing: You don't actually have to write anything, but multiple choice questions examine your knowledge of grammar and word selection and organization. This section also has 39 questions, to be answered in one 30-minute section.
How does the PSAT Differ from the SAT?
- The PSAT is shorter: Total testing time is 2 hrs. 10 minutes, compared to 3 hrs. 45 minutes for the SAT.
- The SAT has ten sections. The PSAT has 5.
- Colleges use SAT scores in making admission decisions and deciding on scholarships. They don't see PSAT scores, which are used for National Merit awards.
- You can score up to 2400 on the SAT's three major sections combined. The higest PSAT possible score is 240. By adding a zerol to the end of each PSAT score, you can see how you'll do on the SAT.
How Do I Get Ready for the PSAT?
If want to score a National Merit Scholarship, you should put some serious time preparing for the PSAT. To be considered for a Merit award, you'll need to end up in the 95th percentile or above. If you just want to brush up for the SAT, you don't need to put in as much effort. Use the PSAT results to guide you on what you'll need to do to ace the SAT.
