X

How the PSAT and SAT Are Scored? PSAT To SAT Conversion 2024

How the PSAT and SAT Are Scored? PSAT To SAT Conversion. For all three versions of the PSAT, the score is calculated by combining the results from the reading and writing section and the math portion. For the PSAT 8/9, the score range is 240-1440. The range for the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT comes in a bit higher at 320-1520. 

It’s important to comprehend how the SAT and PSAT relate to one another. The PSAT and SAT are different tests and PSAT scores aren’t considered during the college admissions process, but your PSAT score can help guide your SAT/ACT preparation and provide a predicted SAT score. 

The three versions of the PSAT test are: 

  • PSAT/NMSQT (designated for 11th graders seeking to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship).
  • PSAT 10 (designated for 10th graders).
  • PSAT 8/9 (designated for 8th and 9th graders).

PSAT and SAT conversion reading and writing

Though the SAT has a similar scoring structure to the PSATs, the scores that matter most for college admissions are the total score and the section scores. The SAT total score range is 400 to 1600, and the section score ranges for both EBRW and Math are 200 to 800

#1. PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT Score Structure conversion chart by section

The table below shows the total score on the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT ranging from 320-1520

PSAT 10 or PSAT/NMSQT Score Reported. Details Score Range
Total Score Sum of the 2 section scores 320-1520
2 Section Scores EBRW and Math 160-760
3 Test Scores Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. 8-38
2 Cross-Test Scores Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. Based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests. 8-38
7 Subscores Reading and Writing and Language: Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math. 1-15

#2. PSAT 8/9 Score Structure chart by section

Your total score for PSAT 8/9 can range from 240 to 1440 as given on the table below.

PSAT 8/9 Score Reported. Details Score Range.
Total Score Sum of the 2 section scores 240-1440
2 Section Scores EBRW and Math 120-720
3 Test Scores Reading, Writing and Language, and Math 6-36
2 Cross-Test Scores Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. Based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math tests 6-36
6 Subscores Reading and Writing and Language: Command of Evidence and Words in Context. Writing and Language: Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions. Math: Heart of Algebra 1-15

How Can I Use My Predicted SAT Score?

A conversion table can help you identify whether your SAT scores will be competitive at the colleges you want to apply to. PSAT score to SAT score calculators can also help guide your studying. For example, if your predicted PSAT score is lower than you wanted, you can make a new score goal and work toward it. 

PSAT To SAT Conversion

This chart is used to estimate SAT score based on your PSAT score. Your SAT Score can be predicted using PSAT 10 or PSAT/NMSQT Total Score as given below:

PSAT Score. Predicted SAT Score
400 630
410 640
420 650
430 650
440 660
450 670
460 680
470 690
480 700
490 700
500 710
510 720
520 730
530 740
540 750
550 760
560 760
570 770
580 780
590 790
600 800
610 810
620 810
630 820
640 830
650 840
660 850
670 860
680 870
690 870
700 880
710 890
720 900
730 910
740 920
750 920
760 930
770 940
780 950
790 960
800 970
810 970
820 980
830 990
840 1000
850 1010
860 1020
870 1030
880 1030
890 1040
900 1050
910 1060
920 1070
930 1080
940 1080
950 1090
960 1100
970 1110
980 1120
990 1130
1000 1140
1010 1140
1020 1150
1030 1160
1040 1170
1050 1180
1060 1190
1070 1190
1080 1200
1090 1210
1100 1220
1110 1230
1120 1240
1130 1240
1140 1250
1150 1260
1160 1270
1170 1280
1180 1290
1190 1300
1200 1300
1210 1310
1220 1320
1230 1330
1240 1340
1250 1350
1260 1350
1270 1360
1280 1370
1290 1380
1300 1390
1310 1400
1320 1410
1330 1410
1340 1420
1350 1430
1360 1440
1370 1450
1380 1460
1390 1460
1400 1470
1410 1480
1420 1490
1430 1500
1440 1510
1450 1510
1460 1520
1470 1530
1480 1540
1490 1550
1500 1560
1510 1570
1520 1570

How long does the PSAT take?

PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT 

  • Total Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
  • Reading Test: 60 minutes (47 questions)
  • Writing and Language Test: 35 minutes (44 questions).
  • Math Test: 70 minutes (48 questions).

PSAT 8/9

  • Total Time: 2 hours and 25 minutes
  • Reading Test: 55 minutes (42 questions)
  • Writing and Language Test: 30 minutes (40 questions).
  • Math Test: 60 minutes (38 questions).

What are the Differences between PSAT and SAT?

1. Content and Difficulty

Language, Reading, Writing, and Math are covered in both exams. But the SAT covers more ground, particularly in the Math section, where it covers more difficult subjects like complex algebra and trigonometry. In comparison to the PSAT, the SAT’s Reading and Writing parts have texts and questions that are more difficult to understand.

2. Calculator Usage in Math Section

Calculators are allowed during some, but not all, of the Math portion of the SAT and PSAT. Because of its more difficult math material, the SAT frequently calls for more advanced calculator use while the PSAT calculator section typically consists of simpler data analysis and algebraic questions.

3. Test Length

The SAT lasts 3 hours—or 3 hours and 50 minutes with the optional essay—while the PSAT is shorter, at 2 hours and 45 minutes. Compared to the SAT, the PSAT has fewer questions overall and a shorter section length.

4. Scoring Systems

The PSAT’s scoring system differs slightly from the SAT’s. For the PSAT, scores in the Verbal and Math sections range from 160 to 760, resulting in a composite score that spans from 320 to 1520. PSAT scores are less than those of the SAT, which has a maximum composite score of 1600 and assigns a score between 200 and 800 to each section.

Why is PSAT and the SAT Important to Students?

  • When you sign up to take the PSAT 10, you’re offered Roadtrip Nation’s career roadmap and AP course recommendations. These resources can help you identify potential career paths suited to your strengths and interests.
  • The PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT can help you familiarize yourself with the types of questions you may see on the SAT. If you take either of these PSAT variants, you can also opt into the Student Search Service to hear directly from colleges and scholarships.
  • The PSAT/NMSQT is the only qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, where 7,500 finalists are selected to receive a Merit Scholarship award, which includes:

This post was published on Jan 18, 2024 21:02

Categories: Tips For Students
Kamerpower Content Team: Dedicated to producing the best educational resources, orientation to students, insightful career advice including guides and how-tos. Our team also help students apply to foreign universities, counsels students towards their higher education dream while ensuring they get the best employment guide and career advice to help them after studies.
X

GDPR

You can control the ways in which we improve and personalize your experience. Please choose whether you wish to allow the following:

Privacy Settings