The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test sponsored by both the College Board, who write and administer it, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Its content and structure is very similar to the SAT, testing students’ skills in reading, writing, and math, though it contains fewer questions and is slightly easier than the real SAT.

As its name suggests, the PSAT is designed to help prime students before they take the SAT. It also is used as the qualifying test to identify National Merit Scholars and determine the recipients of National Merit scholarship money. As such, it is a useful benchmark as you prepare for the SAT, as well as a potential boost to your college admissions experience.

Since the PSAT is designed to be taken before the SAT, it is taken primarily by high school sophomores and juniors, though some schools also offer it to freshmen. Note that only juniors who take the test are considered for National Merit Scholarships.

The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it shorter than the real SAT.

The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it 30 minutes shorter than the real SAT.

The PSAT is formatted similarly to the SAT. It has four subsections: Reading, Writing and Language, and two Math subsections, one which allows the use of a calculator and one which does not. The PSAT does not have an essay component of any kind. Most of the PSAT is multiple choice, though each of the math sections includes four grid-in questions as well.

Like the SAT, the PSAT is meant to test skills that students are learning in school. The reading and writing sections will test things like a student’s vocabulary, their ability to understand and find evidence in passages, their understanding of grammar and punctuation, their ability to interpret data, and their ability to improve the structure and style of passages. The math sections draw primarily upon algebra, data analysis, geometry, and some more advanced material such as trigonometry.

The Evidence-Based Reading section on the PSAT is 60 minutes long. It has 47 multiple choice questions covering five passages, which draw from literature, historical documents, social sciences, and the natural sciences. This section primarily aims to test a student’s reading comprehension, their ability to identify evidence, their command of vocabulary in context, and their reasoning skills.

The Writing and Language section on the PSAT is 35 minutes long. It has 44 multiple choice questions, primarily drawing from non-fiction passages. This section is meant to test a student’s understanding of grammar and punctuation, as well as how to structure arguments for optimal clarity and logic.

The two math sections together are 70 minutes (25 minutes without a calculator, and 45 minutes in which a calculator is permitted). They have 48 total questions, several of which are grid-ins, but most of which are multiple choice. Topics that may be covered include: linear equations, inequalities, nonlinear expressions, data analysis, functions, geometry, trigonometry, and complex numbers.

There are 139 total questions on the PSAT: 47 Reading, 44 Writing and Language, 17 Math (No Calculator), and 31 Math (Calculator).

For most students, registration for the PSAT will be managed through their school’s counseling office, either online or in person. This is true for any student whose high school offers the PSAT. For students who cannot register for a test at their school, particularly international or homeschooled students, the College Board offers a school search tool to find schools that are offering the test. If you are planning to take the PSAT at a school other than your own, call the school by May of the year you plan to take the test to discuss registration.

The PSAT registration fee is currently $18 (not including any administration fees your school might additionally require). Some schools cover the registration fees, and 11th graders who meet income criteria may qualify for fee waivers. Consult the counseling office at your testing location to better understand what fees you are responsible for.

When is the deadline for PSAT registration?

The registration deadline for the PSAT depends on the school administering it. Contact your school (or the school at which you intend to take it) to find out what their registration deadline is. Please note that if you intend to request testing accommodations of any kind, you must contact the school to request these accommodations by the third week of August.

Cancellation of PSAT registration is navigated through the administering school, so you’ll have to contact your school’s counseling office to determine if you can cancel, and how. Note that if your school allows you to cancel your registration and get your money back, you’ll need to request this before mid-September, since this is the cutoff date for the school to order testing materials.

You don’t need to bring much to the PSAT. All you really need is No. 2 pencils with erasers and an approved calculator, and a face covering if the testing school requires it. You might also want to bring a drink or snacks for the break, but you cannot have these out during the test. If you want to bring a watch, make sure it is not a smartwatch and does not have an audible alarm. Similarly, if you have a phone in your backpack, it must be turned fully off.

The band of possible scores for the PSAT is slightly narrower than the SAT, with the highest possible score at 1520. Like the SAT, this total score is a sum of the two major section scores – one for Reading and Writing and one for Math – each of which is in the range 160-760. These section scores are based on your raw score and a scaling system which adjusts for variations in the difficulty of different versions of the test. You will also receive subscores, ranging from 1-15, reflecting your performance in specific skill areas: command of evidence, words in context, expression of ideas, grammatical conventions, algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and preparation for advanced math.

The average PSAT score among 10th graders in the past three school years has been 920, and among 11th graders has been 1010. Scores of above 1180 and 1280 have placed students in 10th and 11th grades, respectively, in the top 10% of test takers in this same time period.

PSAT scores are usually available online 4-6 weeks after you take the test. On the day of the test, your answer sheet will have space for you to provide your email address. If you do so, you will receive a notification email when the scores are available. Whether or not you provided an email address, you can access your scores via your CollegeBoard account.

You can take the PSAT up to three times total, but only once per year, between your freshman and junior years of high school.

There are no significant negative consequences to performing poorly on the PSAT. These scores will not be reported to colleges, so they will not negatively impact your admissions processes. The only downside – if you get a low score in your junior year specifically – is that you will not be considered for scholarships like National Merit, which use the PSAT scores as qualifying metrics. However, you also won’t be considered for these scholarships if you do not take the PSAT, so fear of a poor performance is no reason not to take the test. The benefits of taking it – namely, giving you a good indication of what and how much you’ll need to study for the SAT – make taking the test well worth the experience, no matter how well you do.

There are no consequences to skipping a PSAT. Know, however, that the test is only offered once a year, so you have limited opportunities to take it. Furthermore, you must take it during your junior year if you want to be considered for scholarships like National Merit.

PSAT scores are not reported to colleges, so taking the test does not directly impact your college admissions journey. However, if you do well on the PSAT, you can qualify as a National Merit Scholar, which can be a boost to your applications.

Can you get into college without taking the PSAT?

Absolutely. PSAT scores are not reported to colleges, so taking the PSAT is not a requirement for any college admissions process. That being said, if you plan on taking the SAT, the PSAT is a helpful tool to guide your studying, so taking it can ultimately help your admissions journey.

​​Can I get scholarships if I do well on the PSAT?

Yes. A variety of scholarship funds, most notably National Merit, use PSAT scores as the metric to determine qualification. What score you need to become a National Merit scholar will depend on the state in which you live, and can vary year to year, as advancing to semi-finalist status is based on the top scoring students in your state. Becoming a National Merit finalist will also depend on your SAT or ACT scores, but performing well on the PSAT is a good indication that you are also prepared to do well on the SAT or ACT.

When should I start studying for the PSAT?

When and whether you should start studying for the PSAT depends on what grade you are in. If you are taking it in your freshman or sophomore year, there is no real need to study, as you will have future opportunities to take it and your scores in these years will not impact your National Merit qualification. We recommend starting to study for the PSAT no later than the summer before your junior year, which will give you a few months to prepare for the PSAT and help prepare you for taking the SAT or ACT later in the school year.

For any standardized test, it’s a good idea to know what to expect so you don’t run into any surprises on testing day, and so you can understand your scores.

Set goal scores for both the PSAT and SAT

If you’re using the PSAT as a preparatory benchmark for the SAT, it’s good to have an idea of what SAT scores you’ll need to get into the colleges you’re interested in, and what PSAT score would indicate that you’re “on track” for your SAT goal score. Moreover, if you’re pursuing National Merit Scholarship, it’s important to know what scores you’ll need to get there.

The best tool for studying for any standardized test is to take official practice tests. This will help you get used to the testing experience, and will be the best indicator of what areas you need to work on.

Remember that failure is a tool for success! As you study and take practice tests, try to analyze why your incorrect answer choices are wrong and how you could determine the correct answer in the future.

Pay attention to what you consistently get wrong. This is a good indicator of what content areas you need to review more thoroughly.

There aren’t as many official tests or practice resources for the PSAT as there are for some other standardized tests. Luckily, since the PSAT is modeled after the SAT, SAT resources are also a great way to prepare for the PSAT.

Especially if you’re hoping to be a National Merit semi-finalist or finalist, you want to give yourself ample time to prepare.

The best way to consistently and effectively improve is to review often, a little bit at a time.

PSAT 101

In 2022, the College Board announced that they will be transitioning the 

. This means that students will take the exam on the computer instead of a paper test. In addition, the College Board has significantly altered the structure of the exam, making both the exam and questions shorter.

The SAT will go fully digital in two phases.

The first digital SAT test date for international students will be 

The first digital SAT test date for students in the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands will be 

What are the new features of the digital SAT?

What makes the digital SAT most different from the paper SAT is the fact that it is an 

 sections are divided into two equal length “modules.” The first module contains a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. When time runs out on the first module, students are automatically moved to the second module, but the questions on the second module will either be easier or harder depending on how students performed on the first one. For instance, If a student does well on the first module, they will get harder questions on the second. This is called “multistage adaptive testing” (MST) and allows the exam to assess a student’s ability with a fewer number of questions.

The digital SAT will also include a graphing calculator and timer/clock on its interface.

What is staying the same on the digital SAT?

Students will still take the digital SAT at 

, either on their own laptop or tablet, or on a divide provided by the College Board. Despite the exam going digital, this does NOT mean students can now take the SAT at home.

The digital SAT will still be scored on a 1600 scale.

The digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Each of these sections is broken down into two “modules” of equal length.

The digital SAT is considerably shorter than the paper test. It will be 2 hours and 14 minutes long and contain 98 questions.

The Reading and Writing section lasts 64 minutes, divided into two 32 minute modules, and contains 54 questions.

The Math section lasts 70 minutes, divided into two 35 minute sections, and contains 44 questions.

What are the main advantages of digital SAT?

Here are the main advantages of the new digital SAT:

The exam is shorter. The digital SAT is 2 and 15 minutes and contains 98 questions, whereas the paper SAT is 3 hours and contains 154 questions.

Students are allotted more time per question.

The reading passages are shorter. The digital SAT contains 54 short passages with one question per passage.

Students are allowed to use a calculator on the entire math section. On the paper SAT students were only allowed to use a calculator on one of the math questions.

These changes are great for students who have trouble focusing for long periods of time and/or get lost reading large chunks of text. Allowing the use of calculators for the entire math section may also help some students avoid careless calculation errors.

The digital SAT will still be scored on a 1600 scale, and the College Board maintains that a certain score on the digital SAT will mean the same as on the paper test. However, due to the fact that the digital SAT is an adaptive exam, it won’t quite be the same scoring system. On the paper test, each correct answer is worth one point and students earn no points for wrong or omitted answers. On the digital test, the questions on the second module change based on how well you did on the first module, and only students who make it to a harder second module will be able to earn a top score. That means that there is a premium placed on accurately answering the harder questions, which was not the case on the previous test, for which all questions were weighted equally.

Yes, the digital SAT is easier than the paper SAT. The exam is shorter, the Reading and Writing questions are shorter, and students are allotted more time per question.

No, the digital SAT is actually shorter than the paper SAT by 46 minutes.

No, the digital SAT does not have an essay.

Because of the digital delivery, students will receive their digital 

Preparing for the digital SAT will be much the same as preparing for the paper SAT.

 The College Board has released 4 full-length digital exams here: 

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital/digital-practice-preparation/practice-tests/bluebook

. Based on your practice test results, you’ll get a sense of what content areas you need to improve on. 

 has partnered with the College Board to provide digital SAT practice, so this is a great way to start learning and solidifying these key concepts.

 Although the passages will be shorter, this core skill is here to stay. Be sure to read lots of books and articles and look up words you don’t know. This is the best way to study for the SAT Reading and Writing section.

 are closely monitoring the changes coming to the SAT in order to help our students prepare for the highest possible score outcomes. Working with an experienced tutor is a great way to structure your study program, fill in content gaps, and learn valuable test taking strategies!

Digital SAT FAQ

If you're looking for information about the SAT scores, or are wondering how your own scores stack up against those of other test takers, you've come to the right place. The following guide is designed to give you all of the information you need about the 

The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with 1600 being the highest possible score. The score is calculated based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for incorrect answers. The 

 and Writing sections are each scored separately, and then those scores are combined to give the final SAT score. Both the Math and English sections are scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The maximum possible score on each section is 800, so the maximum total score you can get on the SAT is 1600.

How many points is one question on the SAT?

Each correct answer on the SAT is worth one point, and there is no penalty for leaving a question blank. This means that the number of points a student can earn on a particular section of the test is equal to the number of questions on that section.

The only scoring factor for the SAT is the number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for wrong answers and all of the questions are worth the same number of points.

A "good" SAT score is one that meets or exceeds the average score for the colleges you are interested in attending. The average SAT score can vary depending on the specific colleges you are looking at, so it is important to do your research and find out the average scores for the schools you are interested in. In general, a score of 1200 or higher is considered to be a good SAT score, but this can vary depending on the colleges you are applying to and your individual circumstances. It is always best to check with the colleges you are interested in to find out their specific requirements and expectations for SAT scores.

The average SAT score can vary from year to year. In general, the average SAT score is around 1000, with a typical range of scores from 600 to 1200. This is based on a scale where the lowest possible score is 400 and the highest possible score is 1600. However, it is important to note that the average score can vary depending on the group of students who take the test, so it is not a precise measure of a student's ability. In 2022, The average overall SAT score was 1050 according to the College Board’s 

The average SAT reading score is 529 according to the College Board’s 

The average SAT math score is 521 according to the College Board’s 

What is the lowest score you can get on the SAT?

The lowest SAT score you can get is actually zero (which means that you didn't even turn in your test). But really, the lowest possible score on the SAT is 400. This would be achieved by answering no questions correctly on the test. It is extremely unlikely that anyone would get a score this low, as even random guessing would likely result in at least a few correct answers. However, it is possible to get a score close to 400 if you do not prepare for the test and do not perform well on the day of the exam.

What is the highest score you can get on the SAT?

The highest score you can possibly get on the SAT is 1600. This is a perfect score!

What is a good SAT score for scholarships?

A "good" SAT score for scholarships can vary depending on the specific scholarship you are applying for and the criteria used by the scholarship committee to evaluate applicants. In general, a high SAT score can improve your chances of being awarded a scholarship, but it is not the only factor that is considered. Other factors, such as your grades, extracurricular activities, and essay responses, can also be important in determining whether you are awarded a scholarship. It is best to check with the scholarship committee to find out their specific requirements and expectations for SAT scores.

SAT scores are typically released online approximately two to three weeks after the test date. The exact date when scores will be released can vary, so it is best to check the College Board website for the most up-to-date information. When scores are released, they will be available to view on the College Board website, and students will also receive an email with instructions on how to access their scores online. Some students may also receive their scores by mail if they requested a paper score report.

To check your SAT scores, you will need to go to the College Board website and log in to your account. Once you are logged in, you should be able to view your scores under the "My Scores" section of your account. If you have not yet created a College Board account, you will need to do so in order to access your scores. You will need the registration number and other identifying information that was provided on your admission ticket in order to create an account. If you are unable to access your scores online, you can contact the College Board for assistance.

It is not possible to get your SAT scores early. The College Board releases scores online approximately two to three weeks after the test date.

To access old SAT scores, you will need to log in to your College Board account and go to the "My Scores" section of your account. From there, you should be able to view your scores from previous test dates.

If you want to cancel your SAT scores, you must do so before you see them. You can’t cancel your SAT score after you’ve taken it and received a copy of your results.

You can cancel your score at the test center by requesting a 

 form from the test coordinator. Complete and return this form to the coordinator before you leave.

You can also cancel your score after leaving the test center by following the instructions on the College Board website 

You can not cancel your score after 11:59 PM EST on the Thursday after your test date.

There are several ways you can improve your SAT score, including the following:

 Taking a full-length practice SAT can help you become familiar with the format of the test and identify areas where you need to improve.

Make sure you understand the concepts and skills tested on the SAT, and practice applying them to sample questions.

: Create a study schedule that allows you to focus on your weakest areas and build your skills over time.

 Enrolling in a class or working with a tutor can provide you with expert guidance and personalized feedback to help you improve your score. The 

 at IVY’s tutors are experts at helping students improve their scores and can work with you to develop a personalized study plan, fill in content gaps, and learn important test-taking strategies.

 If you are not happy with your initial score, you can always take the SAT again to try to improve your score. Most colleges accept the 

, so it’s fairly normal to take the test at least twice if not three times.

Remember, improving your SAT score takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent in your efforts. With the right approach, you can improve your score and achieve your college admissions goals.

SAT Scores Guide 2023 + FAQ

Application essays now make up more than 50% of admissions criteria! Ready to Write an Outstanding College Essay Coached by a Yale MFA? Get the essay done.

College Essay Bootcamp

The college essay is more important than ever. Learn how to write an outstanding essay under the tutelage of a caring, expert Yale MFA.

College Essay Workshop

Henry is thoroughly enjoying working with Jordan. Up until now, Henry has not gotten any one-on-one teaching of coding so he's thrilled to work this way with Jordan. Henry has said it's super interesting, fun and he loves it.

Thank you so much. The tutors have been amazing from start to finish.  We are so grateful to have this program since our daughter doesn’t have any in-classroom options this year. We love Ivy Tutors Network! 

My son did great in Geometry, ending the semester with a 95 for the course.  He and George did really well together, as my son's main issue was not really knowing how to study/prepare for exams on his own in math, and personality-wise as well as skill-wise, George was a great match.

We’ve had such a positive experience with Ivy Tutors.  My son started working with Shakir two years ago, at a time when he was really struggling in school.  The one on one support has been invaluable, and has truly helped to turn things around. I honestly don’t think we could have made it this far without them - would highly recommend!

Great communication, amazing experienced tutors, best value for money. We wanted to thank all of you (and mainly Mark) for helping my son improve his SAT score from 1380 to 1500! This is amazing!  Great job all of you! I will keep referring my clients and friends to you. Sooo happy!

We loved Raphael. His technique for our daughter was great. His skill with timing and strategy definitely worked for her. He was also a very calm, supportive and kind person. He helped our daughter increase her ACT score by 8 points and get her math performance on track. Thank you for finding the absolute right fit tutor.


We received some great news! My son was accepted to Xavier and offered an Ignatian Scholarship, to Stepinac High School and offered a full scholarship AND also accepted to Fordham Prep and received the Hughes Scholarship. Kairn was extremely instrumental in achieving this goal. My son loved working with him and we are so proud of his achievements.

Thank you so much for recommending Andrew as a tutor for my son. They have worked really well together. My son was very happy with his Math score in the May SATs. It has been a pleasure working with you. I will definitely recommend Ivy Tutors to friends!

It went so well- truly! I can't thank you enough- Dylan learned more yesterday than he has all year- real humanity and real education wins. Believe me we will continue the tutoring until June without a question because he is improving and getting ‘smarter’ each and every session- thank you again!


My daughter set out to close a 150-point gap for her SAT in less than 6 weeks. Mark was very poised and professional in his approach. Given my daughter's individual strengths and weaknesses, he curated a lesson plan that had the necessary vigor, interest and milestones to achieve the goal.

Teresa has been tutoring both of our daughters and she is amazing in every way! The girls truly enjoy their sessions with her and both have shown great improvement in a short period of time. It’s been super easy to set up sessions and Ivy Tutors is always available to answer questions along the way.

Thanks to you and to our tutor who had committed 200% of yours and his efforts to help our daughter to get to the score of 1520 in such a short time!  Great, great jobs for both of you! She is now truly ready for the upcoming college application processes.

College Essay Bootcamp

Let's talk about that essay!

Ready for expert help?

What you will learn

Testimonials

Latest Posts