What Is a Good PSAT Score?

Students who are in the top 1% of all the test takers are awarded the national merit scholarship. Therefore, it becomes essential for students to score as high as possible in order to win the scholarship. Being in the top 10% of the test takers puts you in a pretty safe spot.

A good PSAT score falls between 1210 and 1520, placing you in the top 10%. On average, people score around 920 on the PSAT, and if you get a perfect score, you’ll have 1520. Your PSAT score gives a good idea of how well you might do on the SAT.

To understand how well you’re preparing for the PSAT compared to others, check which percentile your score falls into. For example, a score of 1440 out of 1520 puts you in the 99th percentile range. This means that your score is better than that of 99% of the text takers.

What Is a Good PSAT Score? [2024 Updated]

The PSAT exam, or preliminary SAT, is a practice test for the real SAT exam. Students who do well on the PSAT in their junior year of high school are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship for their graduate studies. Typically, there are two types of PSAT: the PSAT 8/9, which is taken by students when they are in 8th–9th grade, and the PSAT for high school juniors. However, only the PSAT is considered when checking for scholarship eligibility, so scoring a good PSAT score is the top priority.

Each year, scholarships worth $18 million are given out to students who excel in this exam, making it an important exam for a student’s academic life. Most high schools offer a PSAT exam and do not require any type of fee. However, if a high school does not administer the PSAT exam, a student can still take the exam by paying an $18 fee.

The PSAT exam is 2 hours, 45 minutes long, and comprises 4 different sections. Each section tests a different skill set and is scored based on various sub-scores. The overall exam is divided into two parts: reading and writing and mathematics. Each of these two parts varies in the number of questions and timing.

To be well prepared for this exam, students need to properly understand the structure of the exam for proper time management and preparation. Read below this article to find out Good PSAT Score based on Percentiles, Academic Benchmarks and Merit.

Table of Content

  • What Is a Good PSAT Score?
  • Turn your dreams into reality.
  • What is the PSAT score range, and what does it mean for you?
  • What Is a Good PSAT Score Based on Percentiles?
  • What Is a Good PSAT Score Based on Academic Benchmarks?
  • What Is a Good PSAT Score for National Merit?
  • Do colleges care about your PSAT score?

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What Is a Good PSAT Score?

Students who are in the top 1% of all the test takers are awarded the national merit scholarship. Therefore, it becomes essential for students to score as high as possible in order to win the scholarship. Being in the top 10% of the test takers puts you in a pretty safe spot....

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

The PSAT exam is all based on high school knowledge and is slightly easier than the SAT, so every student is capable of giving the PSAT without worrying too much. However, skills like time management and structural thinking can improve your scores significantly. The strategies below can help you live your dream of a high PSAT score:...

What is the PSAT score range, and what does it mean for you?

The PSAT score ranges from 320 to 1520 in increments of 10. Each part of the test is graded on a scale from 160 to 760, going up in increments of 10 points. These scores add up to give you a total PSAT score of 1520. The PSAT scores are set up in such a way that most people score around 920. This score is right in the middle of the range between 320 and 1520. From the past scores, it is seen that the average PSAT scores are 920 for 10th graders and 1010 for 11th graders....

What Is a Good PSAT Score Based on Percentiles?

PSAT scores are often interpreted through percentiles, which compare your score to that of your peers and other test-takers. The percentile you are at indicates the percentage of test takers who scored lower or the same as you....

What Is a Good PSAT Score Based on Academic Benchmarks?

The academic benchmarks are set by the College Board, which is a non-profit organisation that creates and administers all the standardized tests for college admissions....

What Is a Good PSAT Score for National Merit?

The PSAT exam is conducted to find eligible students for the National Merit Scholarship. The top 1% of juniors who take the test get a chance for these special scholarships. To have this opportunity, you must be among the best 1% of all juniors across the country, and that usually means getting a high score on the PSAT....

Do colleges care about your PSAT score?

Usually, when applying to colleges, your PSAT scores don’t affect your admission chances. Most colleges don’t get your PSAT scores, and they don’t use them to decide if you will be getting an acceptance letter or not. However, having exceptionally high scores can definitely boost your chances of acceptance and getting scholarships....

Conclusion

It’s important to know what makes a good PSAT score so that you can plan for your future. A good PSAT score is usually in the top 25%, which indicates that you did better than most of the students. If you meet or exceed the College Board’s academic goals, you will get a good idea of your college readiness. A high PSAT score might get you into the National Merit Scholarship Programme, which will give you a credited lifetime opportunity for scholarships and recognition across the country....

What is a Good PSAT Score – FAQs

1. What is an impressive PSAT score?...