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PSAT Questions
- What is the PSAT?
- What is the format of the test?
- How long is the test?
- When is the PSAT given?
- How do I register for the PSAT?
- How much does it cost to register for the PSAT?
- How can I get extended time on the PSAT?
- How is the PSAT scored?
- What is the average PSAT score?
- When will I get my scores back?
- What should I bring to the test?
- What should I NOT bring to the test?
What is the PSAT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is a practice run for the SAT, given to sophomores and juniors through their high school. Beyond giving students a feel for the real test, a strong junior-year score can qualify a student for National Merit Scholarship recognition. It’s also a useful diagnostic: a student’s results highlight which skills need the most work before the SAT.
What is the format of the test?
The digital PSAT/NMSQT has two sections, taken in this order: Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section is split into two timed, adaptive modules — how a student does on the first module determines the difficulty of the second. A calculator is allowed on every Math question, with a built-in calculator available in the testing app. Unlike the full SAT, there is no essay option on the PSAT.
How long is the test?
The standard administration runs a little over two hours. Students approved for accommodations may receive time and a half, double time, or, in less common cases, even more.
When is the PSAT given?
Schools give the PSAT on a date they choose within the College Board's October testing window (typically October 1–30, with a primary Saturday date). There's no official College Board makeup or backup date, so it's worth confirming your school's specific date with a counselor well ahead of time — especially for juniors testing for National Merit consideration.
How do I register for the PSAT?
There’s no online sign-up for the PSAT — it’s administered entirely through schools. Talk to your school counselor about the date, time, and cost. Homeschooled students should reach out to a local high school directly to arrange to test there.
How much does it cost to register for the PSAT?
Schools are billed a modest per-student fee by the College Board, and many pass some or all of that cost on to families; others cover it entirely. Fee waivers are generally available for eligible juniors — ask your counselor.
How can I get extended time on the PSAT?
Extended time requires documented accommodations approved through the College Board, and the process should start with your school counselor well before the test date, since approval can take time.
How is the PSAT scored?
The Reading and Writing section and the Math section are each scored on a 160–760 scale, and the two are added together for a composite score between 320 and 1520. There’s no penalty for wrong answers — only correct answers count toward the raw score that gets converted to these scaled scores.
What is the average PSAT score?
Average scores shift slightly from year to year and vary by grade level; your score report will show how your results compare to other test-takers nationally.
When will I get my scores back?
Thanks to digital scoring, results come back quickly — typically within a few weeks of the October test date, often by late October or November depending on when your school tested. Scores are viewed online through a College Board student account; each school sets its own process for anything handed out in person.
What should I bring to the test?
Since the PSAT is taken digitally, bring a fully charged laptop or tablet with the College Board's Bluebook app installed and exam setup completed, plus a charger or portable battery — outlets aren't guaranteed. Also bring a pencil or pen for the scratch paper provided at the test (don't bring your own scratch paper), an approved calculator, and photo ID if you're not testing at your own school. Students who need an EpiPen or similar device may keep it nearby during testing without special paperwork.
What should I NOT bring to the test?
Leave phones, smartwatches (or any watch with an audible alarm), Bluetooth devices, and other unapproved electronics at home or turned off and put away — they aren't allowed in the testing room. Don't bring your own scratch paper either; it's provided at the test.