All About the PSAT
The PSAT, often referred to as the “preliminary SAT,” serves as a valuable tool for students looking to kickstart their SAT preparation. It is a standardized examination typically administered to 11th-grade students in most high schools across the United States. In addition to its preparatory role, the PSAT also acts as a prerequisite for students aspiring to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program. While the PSAT and SAT may seem similar at times, the SAT poses more challenging and advanced questions, including an optional essay component. A notable aspect is that if you find the writing section of the PSAT challenging, it’s a sign to concentrate on vocabulary and grammar, especially if you plan to take the SAT. The PSAT test effectively simulates the format, question types, topics, and time constraints that students will encounter on the SAT.
Duration of the PSAT
The PSAT is typically administered during the school day, often replacing regular classes. The test itself spans approximately three hours, including scheduled breaks.
PSAT Test Dates for 2023
In India, the PSAT exams are scheduled for the following dates:
- Primary test day: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
- Saturday test day: October 14, 2023
- Alternate test day: Tuesday, October 25, 2023
Student score release dates online will depend on the state from which the students are accessing the scores.
PSAT Exam Eligibility
The PSAT Exam is available for candidates once a year. Undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the PSAT exam. Many candidates opt to take the PSAT during their 11th and 12th grade because achieving high scores in their junior years can qualify them for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship.
Sections of the PSAT
When taking the PSAT, you receive a composite score, two-section scores, and various subsection scores. The test comprises four timed sections: Evidence-Based Reading, Writing and Language, Math (no calculator), and Math (calculator allowed).
1. Evidence-Based Reading
The PSAT Evidence-Based Reading section evaluates your ability to read a passage critically, comprehend its main ideas and key details, and answer questions based on it. These questions assess your knowledge of evidence, words in context, and your ability to analyze material in history/social studies and science.
Questions involving command of evidence present four excerpts from the passage and ask you to choose the one that provides the most compelling evidence for the previous question. Meanwhile, questions about words in context focus on secondary word meanings.
The Reading Test encompasses passages from literature, history, social studies, and science. Certain PSAT questions require you to evaluate hypotheses, analyze data presented in various ways, and perform other types of analysis based on the information explicitly stated or inferred in the material.
2. Writing and Language
The PSAT Writing and Language section assesses your proficiency in recognizing and correcting grammatical errors while also revising words and phrases to enhance content. This category covers topics such as Standard English Conventions, including subjects like verb agreement, punctuation usage, and parallel construction. Additionally, you’ll be tested on sentence placement and the role of transition words or phrases within the text under the category of Expression of Ideas.
3. Math
The PSAT includes two math sections: one allowing calculator use and one that does not. These sections consist of multiple-choice questions with four answer options and short-answer grid-in questions with answer choices including digits 0–9, the period/decimal point (.), and the division/fraction bar (/). Some questions involve interconnected sections, with information from the first part being used to answer the question in the second section.
PSAT Test Format, Structure, and Question Types
The PSAT exam embraces a redesigned format that places a strong emphasis on assessing reasoning skills and fostering the development of essential knowledge for high school success. The test duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes, with the following sections:
1. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing:
- Reading (60 Minutes): 47 questions. Passages are drawn from world or US literature, history/social studies, social science, and science.
- Writing & Language (35 Minutes): 44 questions. This section assesses grammar, content, and style, with questions focused on identifying and correcting errors within passages.
2. Math:
- No Calculator (25 Minutes): 17 questions. Topics include Heart of Algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, passport to advanced math, and additional math concepts.
- Yes Calculator (45 Minutes): 31 questions. Similar to the no calculator section, it also covers Heart of Algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, passport to advanced math, and additional math topics.