The College Board PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is offered on three levels: PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT 8/9 is for students in 8th and 9th grade and the PSAT 10 is for students in 10th grade and PSAT/NMSQT is for students in 11th grade. The content-base is the same amongst all the tests, but is adjusted for each age level. The PSAT 8/9 is offered in the end of February or mid-October (each school decides when to administer the test.) The PSAT 10 is administered once a year in the end of February- early March and the PSAT/NMSQT is only administered once each year in on a Wednesday in October. Once a test date has been chosen, individual high schools register students for the test and send home a single sheet indicating where and when a student needs to appear and what to bring. Results (along with actual examination book with scratch-work, and a copy of correct and student answers) become available in January for the fall testing date and late spring (TBD) for the spring testing date.
Students may take the test yearly (and many schools suggest starting as early as possible), but only the results of the junior-year administration determine National Merit Scholarship Qualification.
Test Format:
The PSAT mimics the redesigned SAT format. There are 4 sections:
Section 1:60min Reading Section- Students will read passages covering US and World Literature, Social Studies/History and Science based passages. The questions will be evidence based.
Section 2: 35min Writing and Language Section- Students will identify and correct different pieces of a passage to make sure that the correct underlined selection is grammatically correct- looking at grammar, usage and punctuation. (Similar to the ACT English section.)
Section 3: 25min Math Section- No calculator is allowed on this section. This section focuses on analyzing data and algebra problems.Section 4: 45min Math Section- Calculators are permitted. Students will be answering questions on systems of equations, linear equations, inequalities, functions, problem-solving and data analysis, percentages, complex measurements, and data interpretation and synthesis., including quadratic and higher-order equations. Schools can administer the PSAT/NMSQT to 10th- and 11th-graders in October 2016.
Section 4: 45min Math Section- Calculators are permitted. Students will be answering questions on systems of equations, linear equations, inequalities, functions, problem-solving and data analysis, percentages, complex measurements, and data interpretation and synthesis., including quadratic and higher-order equations. Schools can administer the PSAT/NMSQT to 10th- and 11th-graders in October 2016.
For information on the PSAT 8/9 Test visit:
www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9
For information on the PSAT 10/NMSQT Test visit: