Hello everyone, I just got my PSAT scores and I'm not too sure how to decipher them. Can anyone here explain the PSAT score range to me and what an average score is? Thanks in advance!
Sure, happy to help! PSAT scores range from 320 to 1520, which is a bit smaller than the SAT's range of 400 to 1600. Strictly speaking, a 'perfect' score on the PSAT is 1520, not 1600.
The PSAT score report breaks down your performance into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math. Each section is scored from 160-760, and these scores are combined for your total PSAT score.
When it comes to interpreting the scores, the College Board, the organization that conducts the PSAT, considers a 'good' score to be in the 75th percentile or above.
Looking at the most recent data, the average PSAT score for all test-takers was 940, with average section scores of 470 for Math and 470 for ERW. To give some perspective, if you scored about 1000 on the PSAT as a sophomore, you're in the top half of test-takers nationwide.
Regarding percentile ranks, if your total PSAT score is in the 90th percentile, for example, you performed better than 90% of test-takers. If your score is in the 75th percentile, you performed better than 75% of test-takers, and so on.
Another aspect of PSAT scores are the Selection Index scores. This score is used for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
I hope this helps clarify things! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
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