All About PSAT/NMSQT
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students take this test in the fall usually during the 10th or 11th grade school day.
The PSAT is often taken as a practice for the SAT, but it also allows eligible juniors to enter into the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The PSAT prepares high school sophomores and juniors for the SAT test and is used to determine eligibility for college scholarship programs.
PSAT Scoring System
- The total scoring range for the PSAT is 320-1520.
- Scores are calculated based on the number of questions a test-taker answers correctly.
- Unlike in the past, the latest version of the PSAT does not include a penalty for incorrect answers.
The PSAT is a three-section group exam that takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
The PSAT is a three-section group exam that takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
| S.N. | Section | Total # of
Questions |
Time
Allowed (in min.) |
Question Types | Grid-in Types Question | Exam Scale
Range |
| 1 | Writing and Language | 44 | 35 | 44 | – | 8-38 |
| 2 | Reading | 47 | 60 | 47 | – | 8-38 |
| 3 | Math | 48 | 70 | 40 | 8 | 8-38 |
| 3.1 | Ø Math (No calculator) | 17 | 25 | 13 | 4 | |
| 3.2 | Ø Math (Calculator) | 31 | 45 | 27 | 4 |
The PSAT is a nine-sub/cross scores, which comes under above three-section group.
| S.N. | Sub/Cross
Score Name |
Section
Category |
Scale
Range |
| 1 | Heart of Algebra | Math | 1-15 |
| 2 | Problem Solving & Data Analysis | Math | 1-15 |
| 3 | Passport to Adv. Math | Math | 1-14 |
| 4 | Expression of Idea | Writing and Language | 1-15 |
| 5 | Standard English Conventions | Writing and Language | 1-15 |
| 6 | Words in Context | Reading | 1-15 |
| 7 | Command of Evidence | Reading | 1-15 |
| 8 | Analysis in History/Social studies | Writing and Language/Math/Reading | 1-38 |
| 9 | Analysis in Science | Writing and Language/Math/Reading | 1-38 |
To score high students can use Socrato to practice online and get insights beyond scores. Socrato’s Companion Series helps you get the most from your Official Study Guide.
