What is a Good PSAT Score for a Freshman?

Hi! So, I'm a freshman and I just took the PSAT. Just curious, what would be considered a good score for someone in my grade? Thanks in advance!

The PSAT system follows a similar scoring structure to the SAT, with the highest possible score being a 1520 and the lowest a 320. Understanding the scoring averages can help you better understand where you stand.

As a freshman, you probably took the PSAT 8/9, which is a bit different than the PSAT/NMSQT taken by sophomores and juniors. The PSAT 8/9 score range is from 240 to 1440.

A "good" score generally means you've performed above average. Given the national average score for a freshman's PSAT 8/9 is around 860, anything above that could be considered good. More importantly, look at percentile rankings that you receive with your score report. If your percentile ranking is over 50, you scored above the majority of your peers.

Eventually, the goal should be to improve your PSAT score in your later high school years, as it's a great way to practice for the SAT. If you have ambitions to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, you'll want to aim significantly higher on your junior year PSAT/NMSQT, as that's the year this test will matter for that competition.

However, remember that it's your freshman year. So use this as an opportunity to identify areas that you need to strengthen for future test-taking. Gaps to focus on might appear in the Math, Reading, or Writing sections, and you can use this information to practice those areas. Best of luck!