What Is a Good PSAT Score? Score Report Breakdown & Study Tips

A PSAT score between 1260 and 1520 is typically considered competitive, as it places you in the top 10% of students. On average, test takers get a score of 980 on the exam.

*What is considered a “good" PSAT score depends on your goals. Students who take the *PSAT may be aiming for a National Merit Scholarship or simply practicing for the SAT. The PSAT is a good way to gauge what you would score on the SAT if you took it right now.

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What Is a Good PSAT Score?

Both the Math and EBRW sections are scored on a scale ranging from 160 to 760 points. The overall PSAT score, which combines the scores from both sections, ranges from 320 to 1520.

The criteria for a “Good" PSAT score varies depending on your individual goals. But don’t stress too much! Remember: This is just a practice test.

How Is the PSAT Scored?

There are different types of PSAT tests — see this article for a breakdown — but they are all scored similarly.

Just like the SAT, the test is divided into two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Your overall PSAT score is a sum of the two sections. You earn one point for each correct answer, with no deductions for incorrect answers or skipped questions.

• For each section, you are given subscores ranging from 8 to 38.
• These subscores are then scaled to match a raw section score from 160 to 760.
• The overall PSAT score is calculated by adding section scores to form a composite score ranging from 320 to 1520.

Your test results sheet breaks down your score by specific skills in each section. This can help you determine which skills are already strong and which might need more work.

Score reports showing your performance on different sections of the test are emailed to you around 4-6 weeks after taking the PSAT.

When Do PSAT Scores Come Out?

After taking the PSAT in October, you'll need to wait about two months to see your scores. They’re typically released online during the first week of December — so try not to dwell on it until then!

How can I access my PSAT scores?

To view your scores online, you’ll need a College Board account. Your school’s college counselors can help with setting this up, or you can click here to do it yourself.

A printed copy of your scores will also be mailed to you, but it usually won’t arrive until the end of January.

Does Your PSAT Score Affect Your College Admissions Chances?

In short, your PSAT score does NOT affect your college admissions chances! Colleges don't see your PSAT scores. The only way they’d find out about them is if you’re recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, in which case you’d mention your PSAT results in your application.

The PSAT is really an opportunity for you to practice and gain experience before taking the SAT!

What To Do If You Get a Good Score on the PSAT?

Congratulations on acing the test! Scoring well on the PSAT shows strong academic proficiency and marks the beginning of your academic journey. Here are a few things you might consider doing to accelerate your progress:

1. Consider enrolling in advanced courses like AP classes, honors classes, and IB programs to fast-track your academic progress.
2. Consider taking the SAT in future. The SAT is required by many colleges, and getting a good score is crucial for admission to competitive universities in the US. A high score on the PSAT indicates that you're well-prepared for the SAT, since both exams have similar formats and question types. However, there are a few key differences between the two tests you should think about too! If you're thinking about taking the SAT, consider doing practice tests first.
3. Submit your scores to compete for a National Merit Scholarship. If you are eligible, winning a National Merit Scholarship may mean walking away with $2,500 to use for your future college tuition. Each state has its own cut-off score to determine scholarship winners, which can vary annually based on that year’s test performance. You can check out your eligibility for the National Merit Scholarships on your online PSAT score report. If you qualify, your report will outline potential next steps for submitting your scores.

What To Do If You Get a Bad Score?

Getting a low score on the PSAT can be stressful. But don't worry — there are plenty of ways you can improve!

Reflect on your past testing experience as soon as possible.

Your memory of the PSAT will be clearest right after you’ve finished taking the exam. Quickly write down your immediate thoughts on the exam content and your testing experience for reflection later on. Once you had a chance to rest, sit down and ask yourself these questions:

• Did you have enough time to prepare for the test?
• Were there topics on the test you have not studied before?
• Did you bring everything you need on test day?

Identify your weaknesses.

Review your score report to pinpoint areas where you can improve. The report breaks down your score by skill, so it should be fairly easy to pinpoint which skills need improvement!

• Which areas of the PSAT were the most difficult for you? Was it the Math section or the English section?
• What specific topics in this section did you find most challenging? (i.e. For the Math section, did you struggle most with fractions or decimals?)
• Were you able to complete all sections of the test on time?

Practice regularly and come up with your strategy for test day.

Use PSAT practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and question types. It's also helpful to create a study calendar leading up to test day to keep track of your progress.

Make a list of topics that you struggled with during the last exam and rank them from least to most challenging. Once you've identified these topics, focus your study session on them. Start with the areas you struggle the most with and work your way down the list. You can use the score report from your last exam as a guide. Try and block off 30 minutes to 1 hour every day (if possible) to practice! If you've never taken the PSAT before, we highly recommend doing a practice test and scoring yourself to identify your weak areas.

Once you've addressed those topics, practice full sections of the exam under timed conditions to work on your pacing.

Consider tutoring.

If studying for the PSAT feels overwhelming, or if you're unsure where to begin, you're not alone. Standardized tests can be very intimidating, and many students find it challenging to prepare effectively — especially as test day quickly approaches.

If this sounds like you, consider signing up for personalized tutoring with Crimson. Our expert mentors can quickly help identify your weaknesses and focus on these areas to help you ace the exam! Book a consultation with us here.

Conclusion

Ultimately, what you consider a "good" PSAT score depends on your academic goals. If you're aiming for the National Merit Scholarships, you'll want to earn a score in the Top 10 percentile. But if you just want to use the PSAT as a chance to practice for the SAT, your final score won't really matter.

Don't worry if your score isn't what you hoped for! There are plenty of ways to work on improving before your next test day. And don't forget: the PSAT is a low-stakes exam, since colleges don't use it as part of admissions criteria.

If you want personalized guidance to get your highest possible score on the PSAT, SAT or ACT, schedule a free consultation with us today. Our team of experienced tutors is known for boosting SAT scores by 150+ points!

Further Reading

• A Catalyst for Your College Journey: 4 Reasons You Should Take the PSAT
• What is the PSAT? Everything You Need to Know About the Exam