Millions of college-bound students take the SAT every year. You probably know that many colleges use the test (or the ACT) in the admissions process. But what about the PSAT? Why do you take it? Is it easier than the SAT — and what can it tell you about how you’ll do on the college admissions test?
What are the PSAT and SAT?
The PSAT is used primarily to give students an introduction to standardized testing and practice for the SAT proper. It is also used as a qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship program (this is why it’s called the PSAT/NMSQT; NMSQT stands for “National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test”).
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Eligible students who are juniors at the time of the test are automatically entered into the National Merit competition, which includes several levels. Top 1% scorers are designated semi-finalists, and they go on to compete for $2,500 finalist scholarships based on test scores, grades, recommendations, and an essay.
Students also receive detailed score reports after taking the PSAT, which will help guide their preparation for the SAT. An interesting fact is that “PSAT” doesn’t actually stand for “pre-SAT.” It actually stands for “Preliminary Scholarship Aptitude Test.”
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), meanwhile, is used for college admissions purposes. Prior to the pandemic, most colleges in the US required students to submit scores from either the SAT or ACT. Since many students were unable to test during the pandemic, a majority of schools became test-optional for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle, and some are reevaluating their policies going forward.
PSAT vs. SAT: Key Differences
Wondering how exactly these tests differ? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Grade Levels
Students normally take the PSAT between grades 8 and 11. There are three variations: PSAT 8/9 (for 8th and 9th graders), PSAT 10 (for 10th graders), and PSAT/NMSQT (for 11th graders).
Meanwhile, the SAT can be taken any year, although we recommend doing so in grades 11 and 12, when you’ll have gained the most knowledge of the material covered.
2. Content Difficulty
While the tests follow the same structure and cover the same content, the SAT is more difficult than the PSAT. They do cover the same subjects, but the SAT’s material is a bit more advanced, reflecting the expectation that students will have learned more by the time they take the test.
3. Length
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The SAT without the essay is 20 minutes longer than the PSAT; with the essay, it’s more than an hour longer. The chart below shows the section-by-section breakdown:
Section
PSAT/NMSQT
SAT
Reading
60 min (47 questions)
65 min (52 questions)
Writing and Language
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35 min (44 questions)
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35 min (44 questions)
Math (2 sections, calculator & no calculator)
70 min (48 questions)
80 min (58 questions)
Essay
N/A
50 min
Total
2 hours, 45 minutes (139 questions total)
3 hours without the essay, 3 hours, 50 minutes with essay (154 questions total + optional essay)
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
