Hello! I'm a little confused about what the PSAT is and its purpose. Can someone give me a quick rundown on what it's for and how it's different from the actual SAT? Thanks in advance!
Sure! The PSAT, which stands for Preliminary SAT, is a standardized test administered by the College Board. It's designed as a practice test for the actual SAT, allowing students to familiarize themselves with the test format, content, and question types. It's typically taken by high school sophomores and juniors in October.
The PSAT is also known as the PSAT/NMSQT, which stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, because it's used to determine eligibility for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship program. To qualify, students usually need to score in the top 1% of test-takers in their state.
There are some differences between the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT. For the 2024-2025 application cycle, both tests are online and have the same structure:
- Reading and Writing: two 32-minute modules, to complete 54 questions. You have about 71 seconds per question.
- Math: two 35-minute modules, to complete 44 questions. You have 96 seconds per question, or a little over a minute and a half.
The total duration for the digital PSAT/NMSQT and SAT is 134 minutes, to complete 98 questions.
Although the structure is the same, the scoring system is different. The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520, while the SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600.
It's important to note that the PSAT does not count towards college admissions. However, it's a valuable practice opportunity and can provide a basis for improvement when preparing for the SAT. Furthermore, a high score on the PSAT can open doors for scholarships and recognition through the National Merit Scholarship program.
To prepare for the PSAT, you can take advantage of study resources like the Bluebook™ app, which allows you to preview the digital PSAT/NMSQT and take a full-length practice test. Also, use the College Board's SAT practice materials as well as the free resources provided by Khan Academy.
Good luck with your preparations, and I hope this helped clarify the purpose and structure of the PSAT!
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