The PSAT College Entrance Exam

The PSAT, or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a test that assesses high school students and their general ability to complete collegiate level work. Used as a barometer for future success on the SAT college entrance exam, the PSAT serves to help students assess their strengths and weaknesses, and prepare for future college entrance exams.

About the PSAT

The PSAT is a multiple choice test covering three areas: mathematics, critical reading, and writing. Also, there is an option to participate in the PSAT Subject Tests which span a variety of subjects. The PSAT test is taken in a classroom over 2 hours and 10 minutes. The goal of the PSAT test is to practice a variety of problem types that will be on the SAT exam, during a specified time allotment. Find out more about the different sections of the PSAT below:

Critical Reasoning: This portion of the exam covers two 25-minute sections with 48 questions about sentence completion, and other critical reasoning applications.

Mathematics: The mathematics portion of the PSAT is compiled of two 25-minute math sections with 38 questions covering numbers and operations, algebra and functions, geometry, probability, statistics, and data analysis.

Writing: The writing portion of the PSAT is 30 minutes with 39 questions regarding identifying sentence errors, improving sentences, and improving paragraph questions.

Who Needs to Take the PSAT?

The PSAT is available to junior year high school students who are looking to practice a full length exam that prepares them for taking the SAT and other college entrance exams. The PSAT is slightly easier than the SAT and shorter- the test runs for 2 hours and 10 minutes. However, the PSAT is great practice for the real SAT, and offers personal feedback on areas that need improvement, which can be honed in time for the SAT exam.

How Much Does the PSAT Cost?

The PSAT registration fee is $13, and is offered once a year to junior year high school students.

How do I Assess My PSAT score?

The PSAT uses a scale of 20-80 for their PSAT scoring. Also listed in your score report is the Selection Index, which is used to determine if you are eligible for National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs. This score equals the sum of all three test sections, and ranges from 60-240. The score report also includes national percentiles, so you can compare your scores with other students at your grade level throughout the country.

When and Where is the test offered?

The PSAT exam is offered once a year to junior year high school students in October, and is administered during school hours. You must sign up for the test at your high school, as online registration is not available.

How Can I Prepare for the PSAT Exam?

You can prepare for the PSAT exam by practicing full-length exams, signing up for instructor led classes, online prep courses, private tutoring, and more. There is a variety of college test prep companies who offer many services aimed to help you achieve your ideal score on the PSAT. Popular PSAT test prep companies include Kaplan, Princeton Review, Sylvan, PrepME, Peterson’s, and Numbertwo.com.