What to Know About the PSAT/NMSQT This Fall
This fall, many rising juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT through their schools. At its core, the PSAT is a practice version of the SAT—making it a great opportunity for students to experience SAT-style questions and identify their strengths and areas for growth.
It also serves a more serious purpose: the PSAT is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program. While that’s important, students shouldn’t let the PSAT feel intimidating.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PSAT's can be taken in the 10th grade and/or 11th grade BUT the 10th grade scores are not counted toward the National Merit Scholarship program while the 11th grade scores are counted.
PSAT10 (another name for the PSAT for 10th graders) scores are NOT seen by the College Admission Committees.
PSAT NMSQT (another name for the PSAT for 11th graders) is geared more for the knowledge of a Junior level student, thus it will have harder math including geometry/trigonometry and reading passages or grammar rules that are trickier.
Let’s break down what students can expect so they can head into test day feeling cool, calm, and prepared.
Length
Now digital, the PSAT is the same length as the SAT: 2 hours and 14 minutes, split between two sections:
- Reading and Writing: 64 minutes, 54 questions (2 modules)
- Math: 70 minutes, 44 questions (2 modules)
Students also get a 10-minute break between the two sections. Altogether, testing takes just under 2.5 hours under standard conditions.
Format & Common Question Types
The PSAT is now a digital adaptive exam—taken on a laptop or tablet (either a personal device or one provided by the school).
Each section begins with an introductory module, and student performance on this module determines the difficulty of questions in the second module.
Here’s what’s tested:
- Reading and Writing: vocabulary in context, reading comprehension, grammar, and rhetorical expression.
- Math: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, data analysis, and problem-solving—through multiple-choice and student-produced response questions.
How Is the PSAT Different From the SAT?
The two tests are nearly identical in structure, timing, and concepts—but there are two main differences:
- PSAT questions are slightly easier, especially in higher-level math, vocabulary-in-context, and graph interpretation.
- The score scales are different:
- SAT: 400 to 1600
- PSAT: 320 to 1520
The PSAT scale is lower because the test is designed to predict SAT performance rather than replace it.
An Example of PSAT vs. SAT Difficulty
Let’s take one real example from the official practice tests. A data analysis question appears on both the PSAT and SAT, but with some notable differences:
- Answer complexity:
- PSAT: Short, straightforward answer choices.
- SAT: Longer, more nuanced choices that require interpreting both text and data.
- Table organization:
- PSAT: Rows are in ascending order—easier to spot trends.
- SAT: Rows are unordered—making analysis trickier.
- Passage difficulty:
- PSAT: Simple sentence structure, minimal punctuation, no transitional words.
- SAT: More complex syntax, varied structure, and rhetorical shifts (e.g., starting a sentence with “however”).
In a Nutshell
The PSAT is a valuable opportunity to:
- Practice for the SAT
- Gauge academic readiness
- Potentially qualify for the National Merit Scholarship
The College Board recommends students prepare by simply taking challenging classes, staying on top of homework, and building strong academic habits. Students should take the PSAT seriously—but not stress over it.
Want help to decide if you should take the SAT or PSAT or how to best prepare for your next college step and preparation? StrivePath is here to help, contact us for more information at mystrivepath.com.
