Ok, so I just took the PSAT and I'm trying to figure out what my score means. What's the scoring scale, and how do I know if I did well? Is there a chart or something that shows what scores line up with what percentiles?
Ah, diving into the world of standardized test scores can be a bit overwhelming at first, but I'm glad you're looking to understand your PSAT scores! So, each section (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) is scored between 160 and 760, and the two are then combined to give you a total score ranging from 320 to 1520.
Now, how do you know if you did well? It's all relative to the college or program you might be aiming for, but if we're talking percentiles, the College Board usually releases a score conversion chart. This chart can tell you how you stack up compared to other test-takers. For instance, if you scored around a 1010, you're near the 50th percentile, meaning you scored as well as or better than 50% of the other test-takers. If you're shooting for National Merit distinctions, you'll want to be in the top 1%, or 99th percentile, which typically requires a score above 1400, but this can vary by state. You can easily find the latest percentile charts with a quick search or by visiting the official College Board website.
Best of luck interpreting your score!
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