The first thing to know is that the PSAT structure is the same as the SAT in terms of number of questions and the timing.  The content is the same as the SAT for the most part with slightly easier questions and some topics covered less or not at all.  

Each school chooses its own date to administer the PSAT sometime during the month of October.  It’s important to check with your school to ask what date is planned for your school!

The scoring scale for the PSAT is slightly different than the PSAT.  The Verbal section ranges from 160 – 760 in 10-point increments; the Math section ranges from 160 – 760 in 10-point increments.  Therefore, the total scaled score ranges from 320 – 1520 in 10-point increments.  The idea is reflect a student’s SAT equivalent SAT score, and since the PSAT is *slightly* easier, the scale doesn’t go quite as high.

The PSAT doubles as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) in a student’s junior year.

If you’re planning on working toward National Merit Commended or Semifinalist, you’ll need to plan on starting to prep no later than the summer before your junior year!  Check out our Goal 1600 Class which helps you crush it!