PSAT vs SAT: Understanding the Key Differences
The SAT and PSAT, two standardized tests that often confuse aspiring college students, both share many similarities but also harbor crucial differences. Both tests assess your readiness for college-level coursework, evaluating your math, reading, and writing skills. However, the PSAT serves primarily as a practice test for the SAT.
While the PSAT and SAT share similar subject matter and test structures, they differ in testing frequency, scoring, cost, and difficulty. Let’s discuss these four key differences to help you navigate your path to college admissions.
What are the PSAT and SAT?
The PSAT and SAT are both standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States. Imagine the PSAT as a warm-up round for the SAT, a chance to test your skills and identify areas for improvement. You can take this practice test up to three times during high school, but only once per year. Most students take it during their junior year, and some even take it as sophomores.
Your PSAT scores serve as a predictor of your SAT exam performance and give you an idea of how prepared you are for college. By taking the PSAT, you’ll learn your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus your study efforts effectively.
The PSAT is also your gateway to National Merit Scholarships. Juniors who score in the top 1% on the PSAT advance to the semifinalist stage of the scholarship competition.
The SAT is a crucial part of the college admissions process. Most colleges require you to submit either SAT or ACT scores. These scores give colleges insights into your academic abilities, readiness for college-level work, and overall potential. Think of them as a common standard for colleges to use to compare applicants fairly.
Each college weighs SAT scores differently in their admissions decisions. A stellar SAT score is often a prerequisite for acceptance into the Ivy League and other highly selective universities. On the other hand, some colleges may not even require SAT scores at all.
The SAT can also open doors to scholarships based on academic merit. The colleges you apply to may offer scholarships based on your SAT scores and grades as well. The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT, while the SAT is the actual test that colleges use to assess your academic skills. There are four key differences between the PSAT and SAT: scoring range, difficulty level and exam format, test dates, and costs. Let’s discuss each of these factors in the next section.
PSAT vs. SAT: Score Range Difference
The PSAT and SAT share a similar scoring system but differ in their maximum points. The PSAT ranges from 320 to 1520, while the SAT spans a broader spectrum from 400 to 1600. While PSAT scores generally correlate with SAT scores, a perfect PSAT score doesn’t guarantee a perfect SAT score.
The PSAT serves as a practice test for the SAT, providing an early assessment of your academic preparedness. While it can predict your SAT performance, it’s not an exact match. For instance, a stellar PSAT score of 1460 might land you in the 99th percentile, but the same score on the SAT might place you in the 96th percentile. Generally, you’ll need to score about 50 to 70 points higher on the SAT to achieve the same percentile as your PSAT performance.
So, while the PSAT can give you a ballpark idea of your SAT score, it’s crucial to remember that the SAT is a more challenging test, and you’ll need to put in extra effort to reach your target score.
This table shows how PSAT scores roughly correspond to SAT scores.
| Percentile | SAT Score Range | PSAT Score Range |
| 99+ | 1560–1600 | 1490–1520 |
| 99 | 1520–1550 | 1460–1480 |
| 95 | 1430–1440 | 1360–1370 |
| 90 | 1350 | 1280 |
| 85 | 1290 | 1230 |
| 80 | 1240–1250 | 1190 |
| 75 (good) | 1200–1210 | 1150 |
| 50 (median) | 1040–1050 | 1000–1010 |
PSAT vs. SAT: Difficulty Level and Exam Format
The PSAT is like a practice test for the SAT. It’s a bit less challenging because it’s meant to help you get ready for the real thing. It’s also shorter, taking 15 minutes less than the SAT with fewer questions. PSAT will help you get familiar with the types of questions you’ll see on the actual test, the subjects that will be covered, and how the test is scored.
The SAT has more advanced content because you’ll have learned more by the time you take it. Students take the PSAT earlier in their high school career, and they’re likely to learn more in the years following.
To better understand the structure between the SAT and PSAT, refer to the following table:
| Section | SAT Structure | PSAT Structure |
| Math (no calculator) | 25 minutes, 20 questions | 25 minutes, 17 questions |
| Math (calculator) | 55 minutes, 38 questions | 45 minutes, 31 questions |
| Writing and Language | 35 minutes, 44 questions | 35 minutes, 44 questions |
| Reading | 65 minutes, 52 questions | 60 minutes, 47 questions |
| Total | 3 hours, 154 questions | 2 hours, 45 minutes, 139 questions |
PSAT vs. SAT: When Are Exams Conducted?
The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT, and you can take it up to three times in high school. It’s only offered once a year in October, so plan ahead of time!
The SAT, on the other hand, can be taken as many times as you like, and it’s available multiple times a year. You can sign up for the SAT on the College Board website and take it on a weekend or weekday at a testing center near you. For the PSAT, you’ll need to register through your school, and you’ll usually take it during a school day instead of your regular classes.
PSAT vs. SAT: Which Costs More?
Taking the SAT costs $60 each time, but don’t worry; fee waivers are available for eligible students. If you’re a procrastinator and miss the registration deadline, there’s a $30 late fee. And if you need to send more than four score reports to colleges, there’s an additional $14 fee per report. All in all, taking the SAT could cost around $100 or more.
The PSAT is a bit more affordable, at $18. But you might not even have to pay that—some districts and schools cover all or part of the cost for their students. Schools sometimes charge an additional fee for administrative costs, so check with your guidance counselor to see what you’re looking at.
From the Desk of Yocket
We recommend that all high school students take both the PSAT and the SAT. The PSAT is a good way to get practice for the SAT, and the SAT is a required test for most colleges and universities. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
If you are a high school sophomore or junior who is not planning to apply to college right away, you may not need to take the SAT yet. However, you should still take the PSAT each year to get a baseline score and identify areas where you need to focus your study efforts.
If you are a high school senior who is planning to apply to a few colleges that do not require the SAT, you may not need to take the test. However, you should still check with the admissions offices of the colleges you are interested in to make sure that the SAT is not required.
If you are a high school senior who is planning to apply to a competitive college or university, you should definitely take the SAT. The SAT is a highly competitive test, and a good score can help you stand out from the crowd.
Here are some additional factors to consider when deciding which test to take:
- Your academic strengths and weaknesses
- Your college application timeline
- Your budget
- Your test-taking anxiety
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I take the SAT and PSAT?
The SAT is typically taken in the spring of junior year or the fall of senior year. The PSAT is typically taken in the fall of sophomore year, junior year, or senior year.
2. What is the score range for the SAT and PSAT?
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, while the PSAT is scored on a scale of 320 to 1520.
3. Can I take both the SAT and PSAT?
Yes, you can take both the SAT and the PSAT.