PSAT: What should I know?

I've been hearing about the PSAT a lot recently. Can someone give me a rundown of what it actually is and how it differs from the SAT? Is it mandatory or just a practice test for the SAT?

Sure thing! The PSAT, also known as the Preliminary SAT, is primarily used as a practice test for the SAT, and it's very similar in format and scoring. As of 2024, just like the SAT, it is a digital test that includes two sections: Reading/Writing and Math. The PSAT and SAT have the same number of questions and the same time limits: two 32-minute modules for Reading and Writing with 54 questions in total, and two 35-minute modules for Math with a total of 44 questions.

A difference between the PSAT and SAT worth noting is their score ranges. PSAT scores range from 320 to 1520, while SAT scores range from 400 to 1600. This might seem a little confusing since you might think the tests are the same difficulty, but the score differences actually acknowledge that students usually take the PSAT earlier in high school, so they might not have learned all the material yet or fully developed their test-taking skills.

The PSAT is not mandatory; however, taking it could provide you with a bunch of benefits. It's a great way to get an idea of how you might perform on the actual SAT, and it gives you the opportunity to become familiar with the test format and question types. Importantly, if you take the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year of high school, you could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which can provide significant financial aid for college.

Remember that the PSAT doesn't impact your college admissions directly. Colleges will never see your PSAT scores unless you choose to tell them. They're more for you to get a sense of where you're at and what areas you might want to focus on in your SAT prep.