The Differences Between the PSAT and the SAT If you have been reading this blog, then you are probably familiar with what the SAT is. In case you are not, here is a link to one of my articles that gives detailed information on this: Overview of the Math Sections of the SAT Today we will discuss the PSAT and how it is different from the SAT. First, did you know that the “P” in PSAT stands for preliminary? Most people incorrectly think that it stands for practice. Also, almost twice the number of test takers take the PSAT compared to the SAT. This is because the PSAT determines eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Note that unless you get a score high enough to qualify for National Merit (which is a very high score), the PSAT is essentially meaningless. The PSAT is not used for college admissions. It is however a decent way to get an idea of how well you would perform on the SAT. In addition to College Board Blue Book tests, almost all of my students take the PSAT to gauge how well they are going to do on the SAT. There are a few major differences between the PSAT and the SAT and this post will shed some light on these differences. Test Length and Structure The PSAT consists of 4 sections. There is a 60 minute reading section with 47 questions, a 35 minute writing and language section with 44 questions, a 25 minute math section with 17 questions where a calculator is not allowed, and a 45 minute math section with 31 questions where a calculator is allowed. This gives a total testing time of 60 + 35 + 25 + 45 = 160 minutes, or 2 hours and 40 minutes. The SAT is slightly longer than the PSAT. It also consists of 4 sections. There is a 65 minute reading section with 52 questions, a 35 minute writing and language section with 44 questions, a 25 minute math section with 20 questions where a calculator is not allowed, and a 55 minute math section with 38 questions where a calculator is allowed. This gives a total required testing time of 65 + 35 + 25 + 55 = 180 minutes, or 3 hours. The SAT is the first, and maybe only test that you will ever take that requires this kind of time commitment. Scoring The PSAT is graded out of 1520 points with reading and writing scored between 160 and 760, and math also scored between 160 and 760. The SAT is graded out of 1600 points with reading and writing consisting of a total of 800 points, and math also consisting of a total of 800 points. Note that the two scales are similar, but the maximum possible PSAT score is lower than the maximum possible SAT score. This is due to the fact that the PSAT is a bit easier than the SAT. You can essentially use your PSAT score as an estimate to what you might get on the SAT. Although the highest possible score on the PSAT is 1520 as compared to 1600 on the SAT, due to the fact that the SAT is more difficult than the PSAT, your SAT score would not be higher than your PSAT score. It would probably be approximately the same. Other than this small score discrepancy all other aspects of scoring the PSAT and the SAT are the same. Multiple choice questions and grid ins are handled the same way, and the raw score is computed in the same fashion. For more details on how this is done, see this article titled Overview of the Math Sections of the SAT. Just one comment on the scaled score – although for most students the scaled score is handled almost identically on both the PSAT and SAT, the strongest students may be penalized a bit more heavily on the PSAT. For example just one wrong question on the math section of the PSAT could drop your scaled score down 50 points. This could really hurt if you are applying for a National Merit Scholarship. Final Note As mentioned in the section on scoring above, if you decide to take your SAT without any preparation, then it is likely that your score will not go up from your PSAT score. So whether you use a tutor, take a prep course, or prepare on your own, please prepare. With good preparation you can show a significant increase in score from your PSAT to your SAT. If you do decide to study on your own, I suggest you take a look at my “28 SAT Math Lessons” series. Each book in this series is targeted for students in a specific score range. Get the book for your score range and you will learn all the strategies you need to get to the next score level. In addition you will be provided with hundreds of practice problems all targeted specifically for you. Click on the picture below for more information about these books. If you liked this article, please share it with your Facebook friends: I’ll see you tomorrow… Comments comments