The College Board now offers the PSAT 8/9 to eighth graders and high school freshmen as the first hurdle in the group of tests they call the “SAT Suite of Assessments.” The PSAT 8/9 is a precursor to the PSAT 10, the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT.
But when is the PSAT 8/9 offered? And should you even bother taking it? In this article, we’ll give you all the details!
What Is the PSAT 8/9?
The PSAT 8/9 is the first exam in the College Board’s “SAT Suite of Assessments” and is offered to eighth and ninth graders. The purpose of the PSAT 8/9 is to establish a starting point in terms of college and career readiness as students transition to high school. It’s a way for students to practice for the PSAT 10, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT.
The test is offered between the fall and spring. Schools choose the testing dates on an individual basis, unlike the SAT, which is administered on dates determined by the College Board. Your school may offer the PSAT 8/9 between April 12 – April 28, 2023 and October 2 – October 31, 2023.
To sign up for the test, you will have to go through your school counselor. It costs $14 to order the materials, but some schools will cover this fee for you. Accommodations can also be made for students with disabilities. You don’t need College Board approval to get accommodations for the PSAT 8/9, but test coordinators at your school must order any special materials before the ordering deadline, so be sure to let them know a couple months in advance.
What’s on the PSAT 8/9, and How Is It Scored?
The PSAT 8/9, like the PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT and SAT, has three testing areas: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. The Reading and Writing subject areas are combined for an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score. Math has its own separate section score.
On the PSAT 8/9, you will get a total score between 240 and 1440, which is the sum of the two section scores in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math that each range from 120 to 720. You’ll also get three test scores for Reading, Writing, and Math that each range from 6-36.
In addition to regular section scores, you’ll be given Cross-Test scores which analyze questions across the three subject areas and separate them into a score for Analysis in History/Social Studies and a score for Analysis in Science. Each of these scores ranges from 6-36 as well. The subject areas are broken down into six additional subscores measured on a scale of 1-15.
WHEW …. that’s a lot of scores! It might be hard to make sense of all of them at first, but the purpose of having so many different scores is to show you specifically where you might need improvement.
Along with scores, you’ll get percentiles to help you discover how your scores compare to other students’. Your score percentile provides the percentage of students that score at or below your level. This can help you figure out whether you’re on the right track for getting a high score on the PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT and SAT.
Since the SAT is scored out of 1600, your scores on the PSAT 8/9 will be easily comparable to real SAT scores. The PSAT 8/9 is a way to practice for the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT so that you will be used to the test format and end up with high enough scores to possibly qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. It’s just a practice Practice SAT!
Studying for the SAT and learning to shoot a bow and arrow is surprisinglysimilar—they both take practice!
How Does the PSAT 8/9 Differ From the PSAT 10 and the PSAT/NMSQT?
Although all the PSAT exams share similarities, there are key ways the PSAT 8/9 differs from the other exams.
Test Structure Differences
The PSAT 8/9 is slightly different from the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT in length and scoring. The PSAT 8/9, as stated in the previous section, records scores on a scale of 240 to 1440. Scores on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT range from 320 to 1520.
Part of the reason for this difference in scoring is that the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT are longer than the PSAT 8/9 and have more questions. Take a look at the chart below comparing the PSAT 8/9 (highlighted in yellow), PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT side by side.
| PSAT 8/9 | PSAT 10 | PSAT/NMSQT | |
| What is the range of possible scores? | 240-1440 | 320-1520 | 320-1520 |
| How long is it? | 2 hrs 25 min. | 2 hrs 45 min. | 2 hrs 45 min. |
| # of Reading Qs | 42 | 47 | 47 |
| # of Writing Qs | 40 | 44 | 44 |
| # of Math Qs | 38 | 48 | 48 |
| Can your score qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship? | No | No | Yes |
The biggest difference between the PSAT 8/9 and the other two tests is in the number of Math questions: There are ten more questions on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT than there are on the PSAT 8/9.
The SAT has even more questions and is slightly longer than the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT—three hours. There are 52 Reading questions, 44 Writing and Language questions, and 58 Math questions.
Test Content Differences
PSAT 8/9 Reading
On the reading section of the PSAT 8/9, you won’t have to make any complex inferences. You will mainly be expected to read passages and draw simple, one step conclusions that are spelled out in the text. On the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT, however, you’ll have to make more difficult inferences that aren’t as literal.
For the PSAT 8/9 you will also be asked to identify relationships described in the passages based on straightforward information in the text. This is in contrast to the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT, where you will see questions about complex relationships that are based on more subtle information.
Since the reading section on the real SAT includes a data interpretation component, the PSAT 8/9 will expect you to determine explicit meaning from graphs or text (read something off of a graph). You won’t have to worry about recognizing data trends yet. That starts on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT.
Overall, the passages won’t be quite as long, and the questions will be more literal and less complicated.
PSAT 8/9 Writing and Language
On the Writing section of the PSAT 8/9, you’ll see questions about punctuation usage in simple contexts. This means you should have knowledge of basic rules like how to use commas to separate a list. On the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT you will be asked to use punctuation in more complex ways (things like semicolons to separate clauses or colons to introduce lists).
For the PSAT 8/9, you will edit straightforward sentences that might contain one grammatical challenge like an introductory phrase. On the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT you will be faced with compound complex sentences where errors might be less clear.
Like the Reading section, the Writing and Language section will also incorporate graphics, which will be fairly basic for the PSAT 8/9 but become more complex on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT.
PSAT 8/9 Math
On the Math section of the PSAT 8/9, problems usually require one or two steps to solve, whereas math problems on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT may have two or more steps. You’ll see ratios, percents, proportions, introductory probability, statistics, and linear equations and functions on the PSAT 8/9. However, you won’t see the more complex comparisons between linear and exponential growth that show up on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT.
Trigonometry-wise, you’ll want to know the properties of right triangles, but you won’t need to know trigonometric ratios yet. Those are only tested on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT.
Why Should You Take the PSAT 8/9?
The point of the PSAT 8/9 is to provide insight into the subject areas where you need to make the most score improvements before you take the PSAT and ultimately the SAT. Although a few schools may use the PSAT 8/9 as a placement test, for most students the exam has no stakes—it’s just a way to see how you’re doing without any consequences if you end up bombing it. If you’re really set on getting a great score on the PSAT/NMSQT, it might be a good idea to take the PSAT 8/9.
Since the PSAT/NMSQT is only offered once a year in October, you will only have two chances maximum to take it (one in 10th grade and one in 11th grade). If you want to win a National Merit Scholarship, you have to do really well on one of those two tests.
The best way to know which areas you need to work on is to take the PSAT 8/9. Based on your PSAT 8/9 scores, you will get personalized SAT study materials through Khan Academy.
If you’re not set on winning a scholarship, you probably don’t need to take the PSAT 8/9. Just plan on taking the PSAT/NMSQT so that you can get an idea of where you are score-wise and where you need to improve before the real SAT.
You can also take the PSAT 10 your Sophomore year to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT. PSAT 10 scores, like PSAT 8/9 scores, aren’t considered as a factor in the National Merit Scholarship competition, but they can give you more information about what areas you need to work on.
A very prestigious Scholar Ship
How Can You Prepare for the PSAT 8/9?
Because the PSAT 8/9 is just a way to see how prepared you are for the PSAT 10, which is a way to practice for the PSAT/NMSQT—which itself is a way to prepare for the SAT—most students don’t need to prepare for the PSAT 8/9. Just taking the test and reviewing your scores is enough to give you an idea of how well you’re doing and which areas you might want to consider focusing on later on when you prepare for the other exams.
However, if you do want to study for the PSAT 8/9, there are resources. First, the College Board’s PSAT 8/9 Student Guide has a handful of practice questions for each section of the test. There is also one official PSAT 8/9:
Official PSAT 8/9 Practice Test —Score Your Test
There are some unofficial practice PSAT 8/9 exams available, but we don’t recommend them since they typically don’t recreate test questions very accurately. Instead, if you want additional practice, we recommend using official study resources and practice tests for the PSAT/NMSQT. The formats of the two exams are very similar, but you won’t see the most difficult questions from the PSAT/NMSQT on the PSAT 8/9, since the latter is meant for younger students. There are two official PSAT practice tests available:
PSAT Practice Test 1 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations
PSAT Practice Test 2 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations
Can You Take the PSAT 8/9 Digitally?
You may have questions about how the PSAT 8/9 will be administered, and we have answers! The College Board is in the process of rolling out digital versions of their tests, including the PSAT 8/9, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT. Starting in Fall 2023, the digital PSAT 8/9 will be the first digital test in the SAT Suite offered to all U.S. schools (followed by all of the other tests in Spring 2024).
You can find even more answers about the new digital suite on the College Board website.
The Bottom Line
The PSAT 8/9 is the first step on the path to the SAT.
You can take it in 8th or 9th grade, and it’s somewhat similar to the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT. The main differences are that there is no scholarship associated with it, it’s shorter, and it has a lower score range. The PSAT 8/9 is essentially just another way to practice for the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT.
If you’re really invested in figuring out where you need to improve your scores in order to do well enough on the PSAT/NMSQT to win a National Merit Scholarship, the PSAT 8/9 is a useful low-stakes assessment tool. Otherwise, just wait and take the PSAT/NMSQT your sophomore or junior year before you take the SAT, or take the PSAT 10 your sophomore year and the PSAT/NMSQT your junior year.
What’s Next?
Are you wondering whether you should take the PSAT 10 or the PSAT/NMSQT? Read this article to find out what’s best for you.
Looking to practice your skills and see where you need to improve? Here are some PSAT practice tests to get your studying started.
Learn more here about how PSAT scores translate into SAT scores and whether one reliably predicts the other.
Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We’ve written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:
FAQs
What Is PSAT 8/9? Should You Take It? ›
Taking the PSAT 8/9 can help your child set and achieve their goals. With your child's results, they can: Know where they are—and where they want to go. As your child begins their high school journey, results from the PSAT 8/9 can help set a baseline.
Should you take the PSAT 8 9? ›It helps establish a baseline for students as they enter high school and begin preparing for college and career readiness. By taking the PSAT 8/9, your child will learn which skills he or she needs to work on for continued success when preparing for high school and ultimately college.
Do colleges look at PSAT 8 9? ›College Board doesn't send PSAT 8/9 scores to colleges. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions.
What are the benefits of PSAT 8 9? ›The PSAT 8/9 tests what you learn in class and allows your school to see the areas where you are on track for success in college. You'll also be able to pinpoint the skills that need more attention and practice.
Why should 9th graders take the PSAT? ›The test provides a taste of what it's like to take the SAT, and it can help students strategize as they think about their college applications. And when students take the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year, they can qualify for scholarships, including the highly selective National Merit Scholarship Program.
Does the 9th grade PSAT matter? ›Taking the PSAT in 9th grade will help you identify your current scoring level and figure out how you can improve for the future. As a freshman, you can choose between two tests: the PSAT/NMSQT that 11th graders take or the PSAT 8/9, a version of the test specifically geared toward 8th and 9th graders.
Do colleges look at PSAT? ›The PSAT is not used directly by colleges and universities when they make their college admissions decisions. Your acceptance or rejection into college is much more dependent on the SAT or ACT , so the short answer is “no,” colleges don't care at all about the PSAT.
What is a good PSAT 8 9 score for Ivy League? ›Good PSAT Scores
Scores in the 950-1080 range are considered good, and scores above 1080 are excellent. Top colleges generally consider anything above 1200 to be competitive. If you're aiming for Ivy League schools, your goal should be 1450 or higher. However a good PSAT score is not exactly the right question to ask.
The main differences are that there is no scholarship associated with it, it's shorter, and it has a lower score range. The PSAT 8/9 is essentially just another way to practice for the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT.
Is 1360 a good PSAT 8 9 score? ›Elite PSAT Scores: 1360-1520
10th-grade students who score a 1360 or higher on the PSAT test will fall within the top 1% of all test takers.
Is SAT harder than PSAT 8 9? ›
Differences Between the PSAT and SAT
The SAT is scored on a total scale of 400-1600, with math and verbal scores of 200-800 each. Because the test is meant to cover an additional school year of material, the SAT is a bit harder than the PSAT, particularly in the math section.
The highest possible score on the PSAT 8/9 is 1440. A good score for freshmen on the PSAT 8/9 would be a score that is at or above the 75th percentile, which is generally around 1000-1100.
Is 920 a good PSAT score for an 8th grader? ›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.
Does PSAT matter freshman year? ›The PSAT isn't restricted to juniors, though it is designed with juniors in mind. Sophomores and freshmen may also sign up to take the PSAT and it's highly recommended.
What is the highest score on the PSAT 8 9? ›Thus, while the total range for the SAT is 400–1600, the total range for the PSAT 8/9 is 240–1440.
Do PSAT scores matter freshman year? ›High school juniors can only avail the NMSC awards. So, even if your freshman year PSAT score is perfect, it cannot help you earn the National Merit. However, you can still take it for practice and preparation for an improved score, especially if you are hoping to stand in the top 1%.
What PSAT score is required for Harvard? ›In order to be on track for those scores on the SAT, students would have to earn a near-perfect score on the PSAT, which is a little shorter and easier than the SAT. 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 990 a good PSAT score for an 8th grader? ›Freshmen. 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.
What is a good PSAT score for Ivy League? ›In other words, if your main priority is getting into the Ivy League, you should aim for a composite PSAT score anywhere between 1280 and 1520. If you're looking at less selective institutions, then the 80th percentile is a good benchmark.
What is a good PSAT score for an 8th grader? ›| PSAT 8/9 percentile | EBRW Score | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
| 99% | 680+ | 1350+ |
| 90% | 570 | 1110 |
| 75% | 500 | 990 |
| 50% | 420 | 850 |
What PSAT score do you need for scholarships? ›
- A High PSAT Score Can Lead to a National Merit Scholarship.
- Your PSAT Score Can Indicate Future SAT Performance.
- Doing Well on the PSAT Can Give You a Confidence Boost.
- Do the passages in any order. ...
- Time yourself as you practice. ...
- Make sure you underline anything that seems significant to you. ...
- Find the author's point of view as you read. ...
- For Vocabulary in Context questions, go back to the passage. ...
- Always pre-phrase an answer.
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).
PSAT/NMSQT scores are typically available online 4–6 weeks after the test administration.
Is it worth it to take the PSAT? ›A strong PSAT score is likely to portend an equally strong (or stronger) SAT score. High SAT scores can, in turn, help you get scholarships and grants for college. Studying for these standardized tests is one of the few ways that students can positively affect their financial aid packages.
What is 99th percentile on PSAT 8 9? ›| 8TH GRADE | 9TH GRADE | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Score | Nationally Representative Percentiles | Nationally Representative Percentiles |
| 1190 | 99 | 97 |
| 1180 | 99 | 96 |
| 1170 | 98 | 96 |
Assuming it was the PSAT 8/9, then a 1080 is a good score, especially if you plan to take it again in 9th grade. The PSAT 8/9 is essentially a practice to prepare you for the PSAT/NMSQT and the real SATs you will take later on in high school, and your score on the PSAT 8/9 doesn't matter.
Is 1420 a good PSAT 8 9 score? ›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.
A good PSAT score is a composite score of 1070 or higher, which puts you in the top 25% of all PSAT test takers.
What is the average PSAT score for a 10th grader? ›
The average PSAT 10 score is around 920. A score between 1210 and 1520 places you in the top 10% of test takers. The PSAT 10 and the SAT are very similar tests, and your score on the PSAT 10 can give you an idea of how you'll do when you take the SAT.
Is 1100 on PSAT 8 9 good? ›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 an excellent PSAT score for a junior? ›According to this chart, a good PSAT score for a junior is a composite score higher than 1140, an OK score is one higher than 1000, and an excellent score is anything higher than 1290.
Do colleges look at freshman PSAT? ›College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions.
What is the average PSAT for a freshman? ›In 2015, the national average Total PSAT score for freshmen was 866. For Hall freshmen, the average PSAT score in Reading and Writing was a 492; Math a 477; and a Total PSAT score of 969.
Is a 1060 good on the PSAT as a freshman? ›For most students, a good PSAT score is above the 75th percentile, or a 1060.
Can you take the PSAT 8 9 more than once? ›College Board regulations state that students may not sit for the PSAT 8/9 more than one time during an academic school year.
Is PSAT 8 9 easier than PSAT 10? ›The PSAT 8/9 scores on the scale of 240 and 1440 as I have discussed earlier but the scores of PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT range from 320 to 1520. Another difference between PSAT 8/9 percentiles and PSAT 10 percentiles is that the reason for this difference is that scoring more percentiles is tougher in PSAT 10.
Is 990 a good PSAT 8 9 score? ›A good PSAT score is considered to be anything above a 1280*. A score of 1280 puts a student in the 95th percentile, meaning they scored higher than 95% of other students who took the test. This score is also above the average score, which is a 920.
Do colleges look at 8th grade PSAT? ›The questions on the PSAT 8/9 are grade-appropriate for eighth and ninth graders. PSAT 8/9 scores aren't sent to colleges. Schools choose when the PSAT 8/9 is offered. The only way your child can sign up for the PSAT 8/9 is through their school—not through the College Board.
What PSAT do you take in 9th grade? ›
The PSAT 8/9 is a relatively new exam intended to help eighth- and ninth-grade students plan a path to college. It is similar to other tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments, but it is important to note that it is not the same exam as the PSAT 10 or PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
When should I start studying for the PSAT? ›Typically, students want to start studying for the PSAT test no later than the summer before junior year. This will give time to prepare for the PSAT test in the fall and the SAT or ACT test in the winter or early spring. We suggest students complete their testing by the end of junior year.
Is the PSAT 8 9 easier than the PSAT? ›The PSAT 8/9 is lowered by 80 points, resulting in a total score of 240 to 1440, or 120 to 720 for each component. It has been reduced to compensate for the fact that it is a significantly simpler test than the PSAT/NMSQT.
Is a 1070 a good PSAT 8 9 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.
Does PSAT 8 9 predict SAT? ›Since the SAT is scored out of 1600, your scores on the PSAT 8/9 will be easily comparable to real SAT scores. The PSAT 8/9 is a way to practice for the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT so that you will be used to the test format and end up with high enough scores to possibly qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.
How do I ace the PSAT 8 9? ›- Do the passages in any order. ...
- Time yourself as you practice. ...
- Make sure you underline anything that seems significant to you. ...
- Find the author's point of view as you read. ...
- For Vocabulary in Context questions, go back to the passage. ...
- Always pre-phrase an answer.
The highest possible score on the PSAT 8/9 is 1440. A good score for freshmen on the PSAT 8/9 would be a score that is at or above the 75th percentile, which is generally around 1000-1100.
What score should a 8TH grader get on the PSAT? ›For all versions of the PSAT, the College Board has established benchmarks. Students in the eighth grade taking the PSAT 8/9 should earn a 390 on the reading and writing section and a 430 on math. On the same test, students in the ninth grade should earn a 410 in reading and writing and a 450 in math.