Let’s explore what good PSAT scores look like. Generally speaking, the definition of a good PSAT score depends on your personal goals. To further answer the question, “what is a good PSAT score?” we must evaluate how the PSAT is graded and more.
Wondering what a good Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is? If you’re preparing to take the SAT, then it’s a good idea to take the PSAT in preparation. But how will you know how to evaluate your PSAT score?
Don’t worry. We’ll outline the PSAT grading scale, how percentiles for PSAT scores are calculated, what scores you need to receive the National Trust Scholarship, and more. To understand what PSAT score to aim for, let’s start by understanding how the PSAT is graded.
The PSAT’s scoring system is complicated, and you may want to re-read this section once or twice! However, we’ll provide a brief overview of how the PSAT is scored.
Here is a breakdown of the score structure for the PSAT 8/9:
The PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT variants follow the same PSAT scoring structure:
Now that you understand PSAT scoring, let’s talk percentiles.
PSAT percentiles are used to compare your overall and section scores with those achieved by other students. The percentiles show what percentage of students have scores equal to or lower than yours.
For example, if your total PSAT score falls in the 70th percentile, you have achieved a score equal to or higher than 70% of test-takers; the remaining 30% of students scored higher than you.
Your PSAT percentiles are split into two categories: your PSAT total scores and PSAT section scores to percentiles. The former is used to see how your overall score ranks among everyone else who took the test. The latter is used to see how your specific section scores rank.
Your PSAT total scores to percentiles are derived from the sum of your two scaled section scores, as described in the scoring section above. So, if you scored 650 in Math and 570 in EBRW, for example, your total PSAT score would be:
650 + 570 = 1220
Using the table below, which shows a selection of scores from 11th-grade students who took the PSAT/NMSQT or the PSAT 10, your score is in the 84th percentile.
Source: College Board
You can use your section test scores to find the percentiles assigned to each section. The table below provides a selection of section scores from 11th-grade students who took the PSAT/NMSQT or the PSAT 10:
Source: College Board
A good score on the PSAT depends on your goals and whether you’re applying for scholarships or simply practicing for the SAT. Your definition of a “good” score may differ from another student’s.
If you’re applying to Princeton, for example, you’ll need to know what a good score on the PSAT is for the Ivy League. But if you’re applying to a state school, the definition of a good score may differ.
It also depends on the grade that you’re in. A good freshman PSAT score will likely not be the same as a good sophomore PSAT score.
The College Board has established benchmarks for each version of the PSAT:
Source: U.S. News
These benchmark scores are indicators of a student’s future performance as they “predict a 75% likelihood of achieving a C or higher in related first-year, credit-bearing college courses.”
However, according to the College Board, the average scores achieved by test-takers seem to be slightly higher than these benchmarks, apart from the scores achieved by eighth-graders:
Source: U.S. News
Again, deciding what a good PSAT score is depends on your goals and why you’re taking the test. However, if you’re aiming for high PSAT scores for the National Merit Scholarship, keep reading to determine what scores you will need to succeed.
The National Merit Scholarship is granted to approximately 7,000 graduating high school seniors annually. Approximately 50,000 of the 1.3 million high school juniors who take the PSAT annually qualify for recognition from the NMSC, and around 34,000 will receive a letter of commendation for their efforts.
The NMSC notes, “Although Commended Students will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some may be candidates for Special Scholarships provided by corporate and business sponsors.” We’ll explore this later.
So, what is a good PSAT score to qualify? The 16,000 remaining students who rank in each state’s top 1% (or 99th percentile) are National Merit Semifinalists. To be named a semifinalist, you must score at or above your state’s Selection Index score, which is established at the 99th percentile for tests taken by a state’s students.
Once each state has named its semifinalists, 15,000 finalists who meet the NMSC’s requirements will be chosen. Then, a Merit Scholarship is awarded to 7,140 students from the finalist pool.
There are three types of National Merit Scholarships:
However, there are approximately an additional 740 Special Scholarship recipients who’ll receive Special Scholarships provided by corporate sponsors.
To win a scholarship, you must excel in every aspect of the test. You should aim to score at least five points above your state’s cut-off score to give yourself the best chance of receiving a scholarship after the Semifinalist round.
Still have questions about PSAT scores? Then check out these FAQs!
According to the College Board, the average PSAT score for a 10th grader is 920.
The average PSAT score for 11th graders is 1010.
While a 1400 PSAT score is excellent and places you in the 97th percentile, whether or not you’ll qualify for the National Merit depends on whether you rank within the top 99% scorers in your state. However, it's unlikely you’ll qualify for the National Merit with this PSAT score.
Yes, this score is slightly above average for both 10th and 11th graders.
The highest possible PSAT score is 1520.
It depends: the average PSAT score for 10th graders is 920, and the average for 11th graders is 960.
The PSAT, although scored in a complicated way, offers a brilliant opportunity to understand the SAT by practicing with an easier version. What makes a good PSAT score is subjective; it depends on your ambitions, the amount of work you have put in, your state’s cut-off score, and how your scores compare to other test-takers.
If your goal is to earn a National Merit Scholarship, start preparing as early as you can. If you just want to practice for the SAT, ensure you reflect upon your score and identify which sections you can improve. Good luck!
