Understanding your PSAT Score

PSAT 8/9 vs. PSAT/NMSQTPSAT 8/9

● 2 hours, 25 minutes● Total Score: Scale ranges from 240 to

1440● Number of Questions:

○ Reading - 42○ Writing and Language - 40○ Math - 38

PSAT/NMSQT

● 2 hours, 45 minutes● 320–1520 for the total score● Number of Questions:

○ Reading - 47○ Writing and Language - 44○ Math - 48

How is the PSAT scored?● Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score: calculated by adding the Reading

Test score to the Writing and Language Test score and multiplying that figure by 10

● Math section score: calculated by multiplying the Math Test score by 20.

● Students will also receive:

○ Test scores (Reading, Writing and Language, Math)

○ Subscores (Command of Evidence and Words in Context, Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions, Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math)

○ Cross-test scores (Analysis in History and Science based on selected questions in the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests. These scores show how well you use your skills to analyze texts and solve problems in these subject areas.)

Benchmarks● Grade level benchmarks represent the section scores on each assessment that students should

meet or exceed to be considered on track to be college ready● Uses:

○ Identify students who may need extra support in a specific area○ Find students who may be ready for more challenging coursework

Percentiles● A student’s percentile rank represents the percentage of students who score equal to

or lower than their score

○ Ex: If a student’s score is in the 75th percentile, 75% of a comparison group achieved scores at or below that student’s score

○ Two types of percentiles:

■ Nationally representative percentiles: All U.S. students in the same grade, regardless of which PSAT they took

■ User group percentiles: Based on the actual scores of students who took the PSAT/NMSQT and the PSAT 8/9 in the past three school years

Sample Score Report

Sample Score Report

What are the next steps?1) Access the full PSAT report online to:

● Review questions, answers, difficulty level, and explanations of answers

● Link CollegeBoard account to Khan Academy for free personalized test prep!

● See what AP courses may be a good fit

2) Access BigFuture to explore colleges and careers

3) Register for the SAT during junior year!

National Merit Scholarships - 11th graders● Students will be given a National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) Selection Index Score

○ Double the sum of the Reading Test, Writing and Language Test, and Math Test

○ Selection Index score is used by National Merit Scholarship Corporation to designate students to be recognized in its National Merit Scholarship Program

○ If an asterisk appears next to students Index Score, student does meet entry requirements for the program

○ Top 50,000 student scorers qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program

○ These students are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist

Commended vs. Semi-FinalistCommended Students● More than two-thirds (about 34,000) of the approximately 50,000 top scorers receive Letters of

Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise● Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships● Some of these students do become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations

and businesses

Semifinalists● 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 top scorers, are notified that they have

qualified as Semifinalists● Semifinalists are designated on a state-representational basis (highest scoring entrants in each

state)● NMSC provides scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools

FinalistsFinalists● In February, about 15,000 Semifinalists are notified by mail at their home addresses that they have

advanced to Finalist standing.

Winner Selection● All winners of Merit Scholarship awards are chosen from the Finalist group (Aprx: 7,600)● A variety of information is available for NMSC selectors to evaluate:

○ Academic record○ School Profile○ PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score○ Recommendation○ Student's activities and leadership○ Finalist's essay

Types of Merit Scholarship Awards● National Merit $2500 Scholarships

○ Every Finalist competes for these single-payment scholarships○ Awarded on a state-representational basis

● Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards○ Designated awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community

where a company has operations, or for Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage

● College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards

○ Officials of each sponsor college select winners of their awards from Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice.