In 2021, students gained access to their PSAT/NMSQT® scores on December 6th-7th.
You may be wondering how you did on the PSAT test. A good PSAT test score can qualify you for academic honors, add a gold star to your college application, and lead to scholarships later on.
In this blog, we’ll explain what the PSAT test is, how to access your scores, and how to evaluate your performance on the test.
What Is the PSAT Test?
The PSAT test is designed with two purposes in mind.
The first purpose is to provide students with a preview of what will be on the SAT® test that they may eventually take as part of the college admissions process.
The second purpose is to evaluate students for the National Merit® Scholarship program qualification. This applies only when the test is taken in the 11th grade.
The National Merit Corporation honors those students who score in the 99.5th percentile in their state during their 11th grade year.
Becoming a National Merit Semifinalist can yield substantial scholarships from certain universities and is an excellent addition to a competitive application for elite schools.
Semifinalists can go on to become Finalists through an application process. Finalists may receive financial awards from the National Merit Corporation itself.
Learn more about why the PSAT test is important.
Who Can Take the PSAT Test?
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, most school districts offer the PSAT test to their 10th and 11th graders in October of each year. Some schools also offer the test to their 9th graders. In the 2020-2021 school year, some schools will offer the test in January 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions.
How to Access Your PSAT Scores
If you are a student that took the PSAT test this October, scores will be available on or after December 7th or 8th, 2020. You’ll need to log on to the College Board® website to see your score report.
View a sample PSAT score report here.
If you haven’t already registered for an online account, set up your College Board account here. Please note: You’ll use this same account to sign up for SAT and SAT Subject Tests in the future. This account will also be used to access your AP® scores as well.
Steps to View Your PSAT Test Scores:
- Go to studentscores.collegeboard.org
- Log on with your College Board Account (or register for an online account if you haven’t already)
- Once you log in, you should be able to access your score report.
Don’t see your scores? Try these steps:
- Click “Matching Tool” on the dashboard page and update any incorrect information.
- Use the access code that should have been emailed to you on your score release day.
- Click “Get My Scores” on the Matching Tool page.
- Select “I can supply my test information”
- Enter test information and provide the access code to view your scores
Please note: If you have trouble finding your access code, contact your high school counselor. If you have additional problems accessing your scores, email psathelp@info.collegeboard.org.
Source: https://blog.collegeboard.org/when-do-psat-nmsqt-scores-come-out
Understanding Your PSAT Test Scores
The first page of your score report will give you your total scaled score.
The lowest possible score is 320 while the highest PSAT score attainable is 1520.
This score report will also give you section scores for Evidence Based Reading and Writing (commonly referred to as “verbal’) and Math. Each section is scored on a 160 to 760 scale.
The next page of the report will give you your National Merit Selection Index Score (SIS). This is a number obtained by doubling your verbal score, adding that to your math score, and dividing by 10. The highest possible SIS is 228.
For the Class of 2019, the lowest Texas Semifinalist qualifying SIS was 221. The SIS score can vary from year to year as the threshold is based on the score needed to hit the 99.5th percentile.
The rest of the report gives more detailed information. On the third page of data, you will see your test scores. These are scores ranging from 8-38 in Reading, Writing, and Math.
You will also receive cross-test scores designed to let you know how you performed on social studies and science topics across the exam. These are also on an 8-38 scale.
The final page of your score report will show you your sub scores, which are broad content areas of each section. These are the sub scores you will receive: Reading, Command of Evidence and Words in Context; Writing, Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions; Math, Heart of Algebra Problem Solving, Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math. Sub scores range from 1-15.
This final page will also note which specific questions you missed, indicate the level of difficulty for each question, and provide you with the correct answer for the items you missed.
For more information, read our post about understanding your PSAT score report.
What is Considered a Good PSAT Score?
There are two methods for evaluating your PSAT test scores:
- You can base them off percentiles in order to gauge your likeliness of qualifying for National Merit Semifinalist status.
- You can base it off mid-range scores desired by selective colleges.
Evaluating Scores Based on Percentiles
One way to interpret your results is to look at your percentile.
A percentile demonstrates how you stack up against your peers at the national level.
For example, someone in the 70th percentile would be the 30th person in line if 100 test takers lined up in order from those with the highest to those with the lowest score.
This national percentile will also give you an idea of whether or not your selection index score is high enough to make National Merit Semifinalist for your state.
Texas is a little more competitive than some states in terms of the score required to achieve the 99.5th percentile.
Therefore, a Texas student might have a 99th percentile score nationally but still not fall in the 99th percentile or 99.5th percentile for Texas.
So while knowing that you scored lower than the 99th percentile means you likely didn’t make National Merit status in Texas, falling at the 99th percentile nationally doesn’t guarantee you’ll be high enough compared to your fellow Texans either.
For the Class of 2018, only 1,466 of the 223,446 Texas students that took the PSAT test were eligible for National Merit Semifinalist status. That’s about 0.65%.
You’ll have to wait until September of your senior year to confirm your National Merit Semifinalist status. View the full list of Texas Class of 2022 National Merit Semifinalists.
For more information, read our post about the National Merit scholarship contest.
Evaluating Scores Based on Scores Desired by Colleges
Another way to assess your standing is to compare your score to the mid-range scores desired by the colleges to which you are interested in applying.
You’ll have more time before you apply during your senior year, but this will give you a good ballpark estimate of where you are now.
The PSAT won’t be the only standardized exam of its kind that you take. If you are in the 9th or 10th grade, you will have the chance to take the PSAT test again.
Beginning in the 11th grade, you’ll take the SAT and ACT® tests for college admissions. These exams will include the type of material that you faced on the PSAT as well as some additional content that is slightly higher level. There are no “retakes” for the11th grade PSAT test, but you will be able to attempt the SAT and ACT tests multiple times if needed.
Next Steps
Taking the PSAT test is a good way to gauge your readiness for future college admissions tests.
The directors at KD College Prep can meet with you to discuss your next steps in your journey to college.
Our lessons, workshops, and practice test reviews are proven methods to help students reach their score goals. In fact, our students make up nearly 40% of the Dallas Fort-Worth National Merit Semifinalists for the Class of 2021.
All of our activities are instructor-led, so you will always get plenty of expert feedback for how to improve.
Our students also have the opportunity to attend a Parent Student Planning Seminar to get the latest on making the most of prep and the college admissions process.
To get started, contact a campus near you or learn about our test prep programs.
FAQs
What is a perfect PSAT score 2022? ›
Notice that the highest total score a student could achieve on the PSAT is 1520. The highest total score a student could achieve on the SAT is a 1600.
What is a good PSAT score to get into college? ›Any PSAT score in the range of 1450-1500 is also a tremendous achievement, and an early indication that a student is academically prepared to pursue applications to top-ranked universities and colleges in the US. If you score between a 1400 and a 1450 you should also be proud.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit Scholarship 2022? ›To be competitive for National Merit Semifinalist status, students need to score about 1400 on the PSAT in less competitive states like Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota . . . or about 1470 on the PSAT in more competitive states like Connecticut or New Jersey.
What is a good PSAT score for a sophomore 2022? ›A very good PSAT score would be around 1210–1300 for juniors and 1180–1270 for sophomores. That puts you on track for about 1300–1380 on the SAT. A very good score on the PSAT is going to help you get into some of the top 100 ranked colleges and universities, which have moderately competitive admissions.
Does a 1400 PSAT qualify for National Merit? ›Practically speaking, this means that anyone who qualifies as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist (PSAT scores of 1400/1520 and up, depending on the state of residence) should be able to easily achieve a confirming score (SAT scores as low as 1320/1600, and ACT scores as low as 26/36), especially given multiple ...
What is the average National Merit PSAT score? ›PSAT NMSQT Qualifying Scores for 2022
You'll probably get national percentiles on your PSAT score report, but state percentiles are the ones NMSC uses to award students. The average of all the PSAT NMSQT qualifying scores is 215.
The average PSAT/NMSQT score is about 920. A score between 1210 and 1520 puts you in the top 10% of test takers. The PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT are very similar tests, so your score on the PSAT/NMSQT can give you an idea of how you'll do when you take the SAT.
Do colleges care about you PSAT score? ›College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions.
What score do you need on the PSAT to get National Merit Scholarship? ›These scores fall between 8 and 38. For National Merit eligibility, these section test scores are the most important score types. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation adds each section test score together and then multiplies that sum by 2 to create a National Merit Selection Index Score.
Which PSAT qualifies for National Merit? ›The 2022 Preliminary S A T/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) is the qualifying test for entry to the 2024 National Merit Program.
Can a good PSAT score get you a scholarship? ›
If the student is a junior, his or her PSAT/NMSQT score might qualify the student for merit- or need-based scholarships and recognition through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
What PSAT gets scholarships? ›For example, the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for entry to the competition for scholarships to be awarded in 2023. The 2022 PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for entry to the competition for scholarships to be awarded in 2024. Registration for the test is by high school rather than individual student.
What is the average PSAT score for a 15 year old? ›The PSAT scores scale makes it so that most test takers score around 920 (the halfway point between 320 and 1520). And the data backs this up: the average PSAT scores are 920 for 10th graders and 1010 for 11th graders.
What PSAT score is required for Harvard? ›PSAT Averages
This would put you squarely in the 50th percentile of scoring. But those averages can change depending on the college you're hoping to apply to. For example, the average PSAT score by Harvard admitted students was between 1420 and 1520 (or 210-238 on the old scale).
Based on that reasoning, a good PSAT score for a sophomore is a composite score higher than 1060, an OK score is one higher than 920, and an excellent score is anything higher than 1180.
What does a 1420 on the PSAT mean? ›To begin with, the PSAT score range is from 320 to 1520.
The average PSAT score is around 920 (460 in Math and 460 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing), while an outstanding PSAT score (one that will qualify you as a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist) is between 1420 and 1480.
Excellent PSAT Scores: 1170-1350
10th-grade students who scored between 1170 and 1350 on the PSAT test fall within the top 10% of all test takers.
To calculate your Selection Index, add together your test scores for Math, Reading, and Writing, and then double the sum.
What is a good PSAT percentile? ›A "good" score, then, would probably be somewhere in the 75th percentile or higher. PSAT score percentiles change slightly each year depending on the testing class. For 2020-21 test-takers, the 75th percentile translates to a 590 EBRW score, a 570 Math score, and an 1150 total score.
Is 970 a good PSAT score? ›A good PSAT score is a composite score of 1070 or higher, which puts you in the top 25% of all PSAT test takers. PSAT scoring can be pretty complex, so it's important to understand how it works.
Is 1290 a bad PSAT score? ›
According to this chart, a good PSAT score for a junior is a composite score higher than 1150, an OK score is one higher than 1000 or 1010, and an excellent score is anything higher than 1280.
What is a good first time PSAT score? ›Anything above the 75th percentile is ranked as good. 1200 is a good PSAT score as a freshman. A composite score above 1170 is considered excellent.
What is the highest and lowest score you can get on the PSAT? ›While the SAT is scored in a range of 400–1600, the PSAT is scored in a range of 320–1520.
Does the PSAT affect my GPA? ›Your PSAT scores won't get you into college or affect your GPA. But if you're a junior, high scores on the PSAT can earn you scholarship dollars, including a National Merit Scholarship.
Should you take the PSAT more than once? ›However, a common (and recommended) option for students is to take the PSAT twice;once in 10th grade, and again in 11th grade. If you take the PSAT twice, you'll get great practice in 10th grade, and you can use your 11th grade PSAT score as part of your eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Does being a National Merit Scholar help you get into college? ›At the very least, doing well in the National Merit Scholarship Program can boost your odds in the college application process. Award amounts are the focus of many frequently asked questions about the scholarship program and its benefits, but dollars aren't the only measure of how Merit Scholars benefit.
How hard is it to be a National Merit Scholar? ›A finalist chances of winning
Of the 1.5 million applicants who submitted a PSAT score, there are only 7,500 National Merit Scholarship winners. This means you have a 0.5% chance of becoming a National Merit Scholar, making this one of the most competitive merit-based scholarships.
National Merit Semi-Finalist and Finalist students take their academics seriously. You must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA to qualify for the application process and maintain that GPA throughout your four years of high school.
Does PSAT 10 count for National Merit? ›The PSAT 10 is the same as the PSAT/NMSQT in terms of subject matter and difficulty, but it's different from the PSAT/NMSQT in two ways: Students take it in the spring of 10th grade, instead of the fall of 10th or 11th grade. It doesn't qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
How many times can you take the PSAT? ›Most students take the PSAT/NMSQT once—in 11th grade. They can take it up to three times in high school but only once a year. Scholarship programs only look at the junior year PSAT/NMSQT score.
How many times can you take the PSAT for National Merit? ›
How many times can I take the PSAT/NMSQT? Students can take the PSAT up to three times during high school. It is only offered once per year, but a student can take advantage of the test in the freshman, sophomore, and junior years. However, the score will only count for scholorships during the junior year.
Can you get National Merit without PSAT? ›Can I still compete for the National Merit Scholarship if I didn't get to take the PSAT this year? Yes! The National Merit Scholarship Corporation offers alternate entry for the scholarship competition. Students who did not take the PSAT on EITHER test date may submit SAT scores in lieu of PSAT scores.
What SAT score do you need for a full scholarship? ›So you're probably wondering, What's a good SAT score for scholarships, and how can I find them? The short answer is that you should aim for an SAT score between 1200 and 1600 if you want to secure some scholarships based on merit–and the higher within that range you score the more money you're looking at.
How hard is it to get a scholarship from the PSAT? ›The scholarship program uses 11th graders' PSAT scores to select 50,000 high-scoring students. Fewer than 1 in 3 of those students will go on to become a scholarship finalist. And only half of finalists become National Merit Scholars.
Is there any benefit to taking the PSAT? ›Perhaps one of the most tangible benefits of the PSAT is the potential for students to earn scholarship money. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. uses PSAT scores to determine which test-takers will become semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Is 990 a good PSAT score for a sophomore? ›For most students, a good PSAT score is above the 75th percentile, or a 1060. Sophomores can raise their scores by taking the PSAT again in their junior year. The PSAT is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
What PSAT score is National Merit 2023? ›To state the obvious, some of the 50 U.S. states are obviously far more competitive than others—and colleges will keep this in mind during the admission process. The main qualification for National Merit is a high PSAT score (out of 1520). Thus, a high SAT score (out of 1600) will in most cases serve the same purpose.
What is the top 10 percent on the PSAT? ›The average PSAT 10 score is around 920. A score between 1210 and 1520 places you in the top 10% of test takers.
What is the lowest GPA admitted to Harvard? ›Continue to work hard, take difficult classes, and show your passions outside of school! To get to Harvard your GPA has to be at least a 4.0 and even then if you get in your lucky but they require at least a 4.18 GPA only .
What is the lowest GPA accepted at Harvard? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What PSAT score do you need for Yale? ›
That means a good PSAT score for students aiming at “Ivy Plus” schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and Duke would be at least 1450.
Is a 900 bad on the PSAT? ›A combined score of 900 is the 31st percentile, (students scored higher than 31% of the people but unfortunately, 69% of the students scored higher). On the other end of the spectrum, a score of 1220 is the 85th percentile (students scored higher than 85% of the people and only 15% of the students scored higher).
Is 990 a good PSAT score for a freshman? ›For high school freshmen, based on data from test takers during the 2020-2021 school year, a “good” score in the 75th percentile is between 990-1000.
Is 830 a bad PSAT score? ›5. Is 830 a good PSAT score for a junior? A good score for a junior is a composite score higher than 1150-1160. Based on this calculation, a score of 830 is less than an OK score.
What is a good PSAT score for Ivy League? ›The definition of a “good” PSAT score depends on your goals. If you're aiming at an Ivy-League or highly-competitive school, we know that you'll need SAT scores that are at least 1450 (that's the 25th percentile) in order to have a shot, and at least 1550 (that's the 75th percentile) to be a strong applicant.
How good is a 900 PSAT score? ›A combined score of 900 is the 31st percentile, (students scored higher than 31% of the people but unfortunately, 69% of the students scored higher). On the other end of the spectrum, a score of 1220 is the 85th percentile (students scored higher than 85% of the people and only 15% of the students scored higher).
What is 99th percentile on PSAT? ›Using 2021 statistics from the CollegeBoard, we've listed total score ranges/cutoffs for the top percentiles. For 10th grade students taking the test (either the PSAT 10 or the PSAT/NMSQT): 99th percentile and above (“outstanding”): 1370–1520. 90th percentile (“great”): 1170.
How good is a 1060 PSAT score? ›For sophomores who took the PSAT in 2021, a total score of 1060 (out of 1520) landed them in the 75th percentile. In many cases, PSAT scores can predict SAT scores.
What is the top 1% score for PSAT? ›The data above tells us that the top 1% of test takers—about 16,000 juniors—scored between 1460 and 1520. Contrary to what many believe, you do not need a perfect PSAT score to get into the 99th percentile. In fact, you can miss up to 60 points and still get in the top 1%!
Do colleges look at PSAT scores? ›Colleges Don't Receive Scores
College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions.
Is 1150 a good PSAT score for a junior? ›
A score in the 75th percentile is considered the benchmark — usually an 1150 overall. The top 1% of junior test-takers become semifinalists for National Merit scholarships.
What percentile qualifies for National Merit? ›But to become a National Merit Scholar, you'll need to outscore over 99% of PSAT test-takers. What PSAT score will you need for a National Merit Scholarship?
What does a 1420 PSAT score mean? ›To begin with, the PSAT score range is from 320 to 1520.
The average PSAT score is around 920 (460 in Math and 460 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing), while an outstanding PSAT score (one that will qualify you as a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist) is between 1420 and 1480.
Excellent PSAT Scores: 1170-1350
10th-grade students who scored between 1170 and 1350 on the PSAT test fall within the top 10% of all test takers.