The PSAT is more than just a practice test. We have found that students who prepare for the PSAT tend to do better. Our flexible PSAT prep courses help students use the PSAT as a valuable learning and confidence-building tool.
The PSAT, or Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test, is a test you take before the SAT. It helps you understand what to expect on the SAT. Around 3.5 million students take it each year.
It’s known as a practice SAT, but it also helps with qualifying for National Merit Scholarships. It’s also called the PSAT/NMSQT.
The PSAT has three main sections, just like the SAT: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. There’s no essay, and there’s no negative marking, just like the SAT.
The PSAT/NMSQT helps you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Annually, 7,500 students with great scores and who meet other requirements receive scholarships.
Book a Free Demo LessonThe PSAT, or Preliminary SAT offers some advantages to students to help them in their academic and college journey. Here are the key reasons students decide to take the PSAT:
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Book a LessonPreparing for the PSAT isn't something that every student is meant to do. Some groups of students will really benefit from specific preparation. Here’s who should think about getting ready for the PSAT:
The PSAT exam is divided into three main sections, each with a set number of questions and a specific time limit. Students are required to complete each section within the allotted time to avoid losing marks for any unanswered questions. The entire test lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes. Since the PSAT does not penalize for wrong answers, students are encouraged to make educated guesses to maximize their scores.
Each section of the PSAT is equally crucial, and students should aim to perform well across all sections. While the PSAT provides a composite score similar to the SAT, individual section scores are also important and are closely evaluated by educators.
The Reading section, also referred to as the Evidence-Based Reading section, assesses a student's ability to comprehend and analyze written passages. Students must read the provided passages carefully, think critically, and extract key information to answer the related questions.
The Writing and Language section evaluates students' skills in identifying and correcting grammatical errors. This section also requires students to improve phrases and optimize the context of sentences to ensure they are grammatically accurate and well-constructed.
The Math section of the PSAT is split into two parts. The first part, which does not allow the use of a calculator, is 25 minutes long. The second part, where students can use a calculator, lasts for 45 minutes. Both parts test various mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills.