Psat

The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is a standardized test administered by the College Board and typically taken by high school students in the United States. It serves mainly as a practice version of the SAT and, in the form known as the PSAT/NMSQT, as a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test is often taken by students in 10th and 11th grade, with variations such as PSAT 8/9 for younger students.

The exam covers Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. The total score ranges from 320 to 1520, with each major section contributing 160 to 760 points. The PSAT also provides subscores, cross-test scores, and percentile ranks to give detailed feedback on specific skills. The test lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes and is usually administered in October at participating high schools.

A key purpose of the PSAT/NMSQT is to identify National Merit Scholarship candidates, particularly among junior-year students. Strong performers may advance to Semifinalist and Finalist status, subject to additional criteria. While the PSAT results are not used directly for college admissions decisions, they can influence preparation planning and show students their readiness for the SAT. The College Board partners with Khan Academy to offer free, personalized SAT practice based on PSAT results.

Preparation and access vary by district, but the PSAT is typically offered at low or no additional cost to students through schools. Scores and reports are released online and provide guidance on which areas to study to improve performance on the SAT or future PSAT administrations.