The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is a standardized test that assesses the skills required for undergraduate studies. The PSAT primarily targets high school students in the United States and allows students to understand their aptitude level and assess the preparation required for the SAT. The test is divided into two sections, i.e., evidence-based reading and writing and mathematics.
The PSAT is an essential test for students, especially those who plan to attend college or university. The test helps students better understand their strengths and weaknesses, helping them focus their study time on necessary areas. Moreover, the PSAT serves as a pre-qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which provides financial aid and other benefits for high-performing students. Many universities and colleges also use the PSAT scores for the admission process.
How does PSAT help you in SAT preparation?
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a practice test that can help you prepare for the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) in several ways:
- Familiarization with the Test Format: The PSAT has a similar format and structure to the SAT. By taking the PSAT, you can become familiar with the types of questions, time limits, and overall format of the test, which can help you feel more comfortable and confident when you take the actual SAT.
- Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: The PSAT can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses in different subject areas, such as math, reading, and writing. This can help you focus your SAT preparation on areas that need improvement.
- Practice under Test Conditions: Taking the PSAT under test conditions can help you develop your test-taking skills and strategies, such as time management and pacing, which can be valuable when you take the SAT.
- Access to Feedback and Resources: The PSAT provides detailed feedback on your performance, including a personalized score report that can help you identify areas for improvement. Additionally, the College Board provides resources and tools to help you prepare for the SAT based on your PSAT results.
The PSAT can be an excellent way to prepare for the SAT by familiarizing yourself with the test format, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, practicing under test conditions, and accessing feedback and resources.
PSAT sections
The PSAT consists of four sections:
- Reading: This section measures your ability to read and understand passages from various sources, including literature, science, and history.
- Writing and Language: This section measures your ability to revise and edit written passages, including sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation.
- Math (No Calculator): This section measures your ability to solve math problems without a calculator, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
- Math (Calculator): This section measures your ability to solve math problems with a calculator, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
In addition to these four sections, the PSAT also includes an optional essay section called the “PSAT/NMSQT Essay.” The essay is scored separately from the other sections and is not included in the overall PSAT score.
PSAT score calculation
The PSAT is a multiple-choice test that covers three sections: reading, writing and language, and math. Each section is scored on a scale of 160-760, for a total score of 1520. The scores are calculated using a process called equating, which considers differences in difficulty between different test versions. This ensures that all test-takers are scored fairly, regardless of which version of the test they took.
Once the equating process is complete, each test-taker receives a total score and sub-scores for each section. The sub-scores provide a breakdown of a student’s strengths and weaknesses, which can help identify areas where they need to improve. PSAT scores are typically released two to three months after the test date and can be accessed online. Therefore, students should review their scores carefully and use them as a learning opportunity to prepare for future exams, such as the SAT.
What should be your target PSAT score?
If you aim to get accepted into a highly selective college like an Ivy League institution, your target PSAT score should be 1400-1520. These colleges typically require SAT scores in the range of 1400-1600, and the PSAT score indicates how well you are prepared for the SAT. Achieving a score in this range means you have a good chance of getting into a highly selective college and making you eligible for prestigious scholarships.
For students aiming for moderately selective colleges, such as state universities, your target PSAT score should be 1200-1400. These colleges typically have lower SAT score requirements than highly selective colleges but still have a good standing in terms of academics and research. A PSAT score range will give you a competitive edge in the admission process and make you eligible for scholarships.
If your goal is to get a good scholarship for college, your target PSAT score should be 1100-1200. This score range is above the national average and puts you in an advantageous position to compete for merit-based scholarships. In addition, many colleges offer scholarships based on PSAT scores, and achieving a score in this range will broaden your options for college and make your college experience more affordable.
Tips to excel in PSAT
Here are some tips for excelling in the PSAT.
The first tip is to familiarize yourself with the format of the test. Next, read and understand the instructions for each test section. This will help save time during the test and enable you to focus on answering the questions. You should also practice with sample tests, time yourself while taking them, and evaluate your performance critically.
The second tip is to build your vocabulary. The PSAT verbal section tests your vocabulary knowledge and your comprehension abilities. Again, reading widely and consistently is a useful way to build your vocabulary.
The third tip is to practice Math skills regularly. The PSAT Math section tests your algebra, geometry, and arithmetic skills. Therefore, regularly practicing with Math textbooks and related online resources is a useful way to prepare for the math section.
The fourth tip is to manage your time effectively while taking the test. You should aim to budget for sufficient time to answer all the questions. Start by tackling the most manageable questions that you are confident about tackling. You should also make educated guesses when unsure of an answer, as unanswered questions attract a penalty. Effective time management means you have ample time to review your answers and correct errors.