I took the PSAT. Now what?
How do I Read the Score Report?
Total Scores:
The highest possible score is 1520.
Score range: if you take the PSAT three different times, you will likely get three slightly different scores due to testing conditions that day and how stressed, hungry, tired, etc. you feel on test day. The score range indicates what CollegeBoard estimates your lowest and highest scores are at this point without any further preparation.
3-year average displays the average score of all test takers in the last three years
Percentile represents how test-takers in your grade level averaged over the last 3 years. If you scored 75%, it means you scored equal to or better than 75% of test-takers in your grade for the last three years.
Section Scores:
The Reading and Writing (RW) and the Math (M) sections are each worth between 160 and 760 points.
Score range, 3-year average, and Percentile works the same as for the total score section
Knowledge and Skills:
The RW and M sections are broken into four sub-sections each, with a bar graph for each section.
Bar graphs do NOT indicate the number of questions you got right or wrong, as questions are weighted differently based on their complexity, amount of previous knowledge needed, and how “guessable” their answers are.
Bar graphs instead denote your mastery of the skills tested in that sub-section.
NMSC Selection Index Score:
The National Merit Scholarship Program is open to test-takers in the 11th grade and offers scholarships and honors to participants.
The top 1% of test-takers in each state become National Merit semi-finalists, eligible for the NMSC, so the score cutoffs differ by state.
About 16,500 students become semi-finalists, and 8,800 become National Merit Scholars: just .05% of all test takers.
Semi-finalists are not notified of their status until the following Fall, when they are invited to complete more requirements to advance to the next rounds.
Benchmarks:
Colleges use standardized tests such as the PSAT, SAT, and ACT to indicate how ready you are for college-level coursework.
Your score report will tell you if you meet the benchmarks, which mean you are likely to earn a C or better in a related college course.
How do I use the report?
Design your standardized testing plan for college admissions
Use a conversion chart (easily found online) to extrapolate your likely SAT scores if you were to take the SAT today with no further preparation.
Decide whether to take the SAT or ACT by comparing your scores to those from a practice ACT taken around the same time.
Use the bar graphs in the Knowledge and Skills section to identify the areas on which to focus your study efforts.
Map out your future high school courses
Challenge yourself by leveling up in courses related to the skills you performed well. Try an honors or AP course, or take a course at the local community college or university.
Strengthen weaker skills by choosing courses that can help you develop these areas
Prepare your future testing experience
Consider what you did that morning, during the test and breaks, and what you did the rest of the day. Think about how you managed food, hydration, calming techniques, etc.
What worked well the day of testing?
What would you change or do differently the next time?
