You may be familiar with the SAT; however, as a high school student, you should also know about the PSAT. So, in this article, we’ll be discussing what PSAT is, what it depends on, and what is a good PSAT score for a freshman. Let’s delve into the topic to understand all the nuances.

• What Is PSAT?
• When to Take PSAT?
• How to Understand the PSAT Score Range
  • Section Scores (120 to 720)
  • Test Scores (6 to 36)
  • Cross-Test Scores (6 to 36)
• PSAT Benchmarks
• Why Take PSAT?
• Balancing Expectations and Reality

What Is PSAT, and What Is a Good PSAT Score for a Freshman?

As a freshman, you can choose between the following PSAT tests:

• The PSAT/NMSQT for 11th graders
• The PSAT 8/9 for students in 8th and 9th grades 
• The PSAT 10

According to the College Board, “The PSAT 10 is the same test as the PSAT/NMSQT, though students take these exams at different times of the year. The PSAT 8/9 acts as a baseline for college readiness.“

Getting through the PSAT/NMSQT with high enough marks can allow a junior student to receive a National Merit Scholarship and do well in college.

When to Take PSAT?

If you want to do well on the PSAT when you reach your junior year, it might be helpful to take the test as a freshman just to practice. Taking the PSAT in 9th grade can help you figure out your current performance level and develop ways to improve your skills. 

Here are some fast facts about the PSAT 8/9:

• The test covers the same subjects (Reading, Writing, and Math) as other assessments.
• It’s given in both fall and spring and contains the content that’s just right for your grade level. 
• Your school will let you know when the test takes place and who can take it.

How to Understand the PSAT Score Range

Image source: College Board

Section Scores (120 to 720)

The overall PSAT score range is between 240 and 1,440. You’ll get two section scores after your exam—one for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and another one for Math. Each of these sections has a score range of 120–720. You can also check your percentile for each score below.

Test Scores (6 to 36)

When you receive your score report, you’ll find individual test scores for three sections:

• Reading
• Writing and Language
• Math

These scores range from 6 to 36 and are based on the number of correct answers you provided for each section.

Cross-Test Scores (6 to 36)

The range for cross-test scores is also 6–36. These results show your strengths in the following domains: Analysis in History/Social studies and Analysis in Science.

Subscores (1 to 15)

Subscores come in the range of 1–15, and they illustrate your performance in the following skill areas: 

• Command of Evidence
• Words in Context
• Expression of Ideas
• Standard English Conventions
• Heart of Algebra
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis

Your PSAT 8/9 results will tell if you’re ready to succeed in certain college-level courses:

• AP World History
• AP European History
• AP Human Geography
• AP Art History
• AP Seminar
• AP Computer Science Principals

*AP—Advanced Placement

PSAT Benchmarks 

The College Board, the organization that runs the PSAT, uses percentiles to show how your score stands against other test takers. So, if you score in the 75th percentile, you did better than 75% of the other students who took the test. 

What Is a Good PSAT Score for a Freshman? Generally speaking, a PSAT score in the 75th percentile or higher is really good.  Such a result literally puts you in the top quarter of all test takers. But keep in mind that the percentiles can change from year to year, depending on how well everyone else does on the test.

All in all, if you’re a 9th-grader attempting the PSAT 8/9, your score range should be in the 50–99 range in percentages. 

Read the Understanding Scores 2022–23 paper from the College Board to understand the PSAT 8/9 scores for 2023 better.

Why Take PSAT?

This is a short answer. However, to be more precise, PSAT scores are also valuable indicators of your current academic skills. Taking the test lets you highlight the areas in your studies that need improvement. For instance, if you score well in the Reading section but struggle with Math, you can focus more on strengthening your math skills. The PSAT scores can help students create personalized study plans and seek additional resources, such as tutoring or online practice materials, to enhance their weaker areas.

Moreover, if you’re aiming for highly competitive colleges or universities, you must set your sights on higher scores. So, do your best to research the average PSAT scores of accepted students at your desired institutions to get a clearer idea of what you should aim for.

Balancing Expectations and Reality

While it’s great to aim for a good PSAT score, it’s important to keep things realistic. As a freshman just starting high school, you are bound to get your scores improved over time—with consistent effort and learning. So try not to put too much pressure on yourself; it might be the reason for the depression in students. Remember, a good PSAT score should be looked at in the context of your current grade level and the progress you’ve made until now. Instead of focusing solely on hitting a specific score, focus on steady growth and improvement. You’ve got this!

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