Video:Understanding Your PSAT Score

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Transcript:Understanding Your PSAT Score

The Preliminary SAT, PSAT, is a standardized test administered by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, NMSC, in the United States. So if you've taken the PSAT and have no idea whether your score is good or not or how it even relates to the SAT, here is some basic info about that.

Three Sections for a PSAT Score

You'll get three scores on your PSAT score report, one for each section: Critical Reading, Math and Writing. Those scores will range from a 20 on the lowest end to an 80 on the highest end, which directly correlates to the SAT's score range of a 200 on the lowest end to an 800 on the highest end.

Selection Index Also Part of a PSAT Score

Also listed on your PSAT score report is your Selection Index (SI). This score is the sum of all three PSAT sections, i.e., Critical Reading, Math and Writing.The PSAT Selection Index is used in part to qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship, which is why the PSAT is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).

PSAT Score Not For Colleges

A 141 isn't going to cut it for this scholarship, though. Each state has a minimum index score and the lowest is a 201.The PSAT is an important test for qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship, but it won't get you into college. If your PSAT score is well below the national averages, then now is the time to prepare for the SAT.

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