The PSAT and the SAT look almost identical on screen. The differences are in who takes them, what the scores are used for and how high the scale goes. Here is a plain comparison.
The PSAT family
“PSAT” is really three tests, all part of College Board’s SAT Suite, measuring the same knowledge and skills at different grade levels:
- PSAT/NMSQT: taken in October by 11th graders and some 10th graders. It is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- PSAT 10: taken by 10th graders in the spring.
- PSAT 8/9: for 8th and 9th graders, a baseline for tracking progress through high school.
Side by side
| PSAT/NMSQT | SAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Total score | 320–1520 | 400–1600 |
| Section scores | 160–760 | 200–800 |
| Questions | 98 | 98 |
| Testing time | 2 h 14 min | 2 h 14 min |
| Sent to colleges? | No | Yes, when you choose to send them |
| National Merit | Yes, the qualifying test | No |
Both tests have a Reading and Writing section of 54 questions in 64 minutes and a Math section of 44 questions in 70 minutes, split into two adaptive modules each.
Same scale, lower ceiling
The PSAT-related tests share the SAT’s score scale. A 1100 on the PSAT/NMSQT means about the same level of performance as a 1100 on the SAT; the PSAT simply tops out lower because it is built for students who are earlier in high school. That makes a PSAT score a useful preview of where an SAT score would land if you took it now.
National Merit and the Selection Index
For the National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses a Selection Index from 48 to 228. It is your Reading and Writing score doubled, plus your Math score, divided by 10. Only the PSAT/NMSQT counts: PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 scores aren’t considered. Qualifying cutoffs vary by state and by year, so check the NMSC site for current details.
Do colleges see PSAT scores?
No. College Board doesn’t send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges. They go to you and your school, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation receives them as co-sponsor. The PSAT is low-stakes practice for the SAT, with a scholarship opportunity attached for juniors.
How to use a PSAT result
- Read the score report by area, not just the total. It shows which skills are costing points.
- Treat the total as a starting point on the SAT scale and set a target from your college list (our scoring guide explains how).
- Plan a few weeks of focused work on the weakest areas, then take a full SAT practice test in Bluebook to check progress.