What Is a Good PSAT Score? Benchmarks by Grade Level (2026)

A good PSAT score depends on your grade level and your goals. For a junior, a score of 1150 or higher puts you above the national average and signals strong SAT readiness. For a sophomore, 1050 or higher is solid since you still have a full year to improve. If you are aiming for National Merit, you will need 1400+ in most states.

This guide breaks down what good actually means for each grade, how your score compares to other students, and what benchmarks to target based on whether you are focused on SAT preparation, college admissions, or National Merit Scholarships.

Good PSAT Scores: The Quick Answer

Keep in mind that the PSAT is scored from 320 to 1520. PSAT scores are not sent to colleges, so a low score is not a problem. It is simply diagnostic information that helps you prepare for the SAT.

What Is a Good PSAT Score for a Sophomore?

Sophomores (10th graders) typically score lower than juniors because they have had less exposure to the math and reading concepts tested. This is completely normal. The PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT taken in sophomore year are practice runs, and your score does not count for National Merit.

The average (mean) PSAT score for 10th graders was 917 in the 2025-26 school year, according to College Board's 2026 SAT Suite annual report, and the median is about 900. If you scored above 1050 as a sophomore, you are ahead of most of your peers. The most important thing at this stage is to use the score report to identify weak areas and start working on them before junior year.

Why Sophomore Scores Are Lower

Sophomores typically have not yet completed Algebra II or precalculus, which means some of the Advanced Math questions on the PSAT cover material they have not learned yet. They have also had less practice with timed standardized testing. Scores usually rise between sophomore and junior year through normal academic growth and targeted practice. In 2025-26 the 11th grade mean (1000) was 83 points above the 10th grade mean (917), though those are two different groups of students.

What Is a Good PSAT Score for a Junior?

Junior year is when the PSAT matters most. Your score counts for National Merit, and it serves as the most reliable preview of your SAT performance. The expectations are higher because you have had more coursework and are closer to college applications.

The average (mean) PSAT score for 11th graders was 1000 in the 2025-26 school year, per the same College Board report, and the median is about 980. If you are a junior scoring above 1150, you are in a strong position for the SAT. If you are around 1320 or higher (the exact number depends on how your score splits between the sections), you may also qualify for National Merit Commended recognition.

Good PSAT Scores by Goal

The right target depends on what you are trying to achieve. Here is how to set a PSAT goal based on your broader college plans:

Goal: National Merit Semifinalist

You need to score in the top 1% of test takers in your state. For the Class of 2026, cutoffs ranged from a Selection Index of 210 (smaller states) to 225 (Massachusetts and New Jersey), corresponding to PSAT scores roughly in the 1340-1500 range, depending on how your score splits between the sections. Competitive states like California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia have the highest cutoffs. See the PSAT Score Range guide for state-by-state cutoff details.

Goal: National Merit Commended

Commended Students are the top ~3-4% nationally. The cutoff is the same in every state. For the Class of 2027 (students who took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2025), the Commended Student cutoff is a Selection Index of 208, which takes a minimum total of roughly 1320 to 1420, depending on your section split. Some corporate sponsors offer Special Scholarships that Commended Students can be considered for, and it is a meaningful recognition to list on applications even if you do not advance to Semifinalist.

Goal: Strong SAT Score (1300+)

If your primary goal is to score 1300+ on the SAT for college admissions, aim for a PSAT score of 1200+. The PSAT and SAT share a common score scale, so a 1200 on the PSAT is what you would be expected to score on the SAT that same day. From there, you would need to gain about 100 points through additional schooling and preparation to reach 1300.

Goal: Competitive College (1400+ SAT)

For selective colleges that expect SAT scores of 1400+, aim for a PSAT of 1300+. This shows you are already in the ballpark and need only moderate improvement to reach your SAT target.

Goal: Baseline Assessment

If you are just getting started with test prep and want to know where you stand, any score is useful. The PSAT score report breaks down your performance by skill area, which is more valuable than the total number. Use the diagnostic data to build a SAT study schedule focused on your weakest areas.

Average PSAT Scores by Section

Looking at section scores separately helps you understand where your strengths and weaknesses are:

If one section is significantly lower than the other, that tells you where to concentrate your study time. A student scoring 600 in Reading/Writing but 420 in Math should focus primarily on math fundamentals. The SAT Math Formula Sheet and SAT Math Study Guide are good places to start for math improvement. For reading, see SAT Reading Tips.

How Your PSAT Score Predicts Your SAT Score

The PSAT and SAT test the same content in the same format, so your PSAT score is one of the best predictors of SAT performance. The two tests also share a common score scale, so College Board's Understanding Scores guide says your PSAT score is the score you would be expected to earn on the SAT that same day. Scores usually rise by the time students take the SAT, with the improvement coming from additional schooling plus any focused preparation.

Students who actively prepare after the PSAT can aim for gains like these (our estimates, not College Board figures):

• Light prep (1-2 hours/week for 4 weeks): 30-70 point increase
• Moderate prep (3-5 hours/week for 6-8 weeks): 80-150 point increase
• Intensive prep (5+ hours/week for 8-12 weeks): 150-250+ point increase

The biggest gains come from addressing specific weak areas identified in your PSAT score report, not from general review. Use Larry Learns SAT quizzes to drill the exact question types that cost you the most points.

What to Do After You Get Your PSAT Score

Regardless of whether your score is above or below your target, the next steps are the same:

1. Review your score report. Log into your College Board account and look at the skill area breakdowns. Identify the 2-3 areas where you lost the most points.
2. Set a realistic SAT target. Add 100-200 points to your PSAT score (depending on how much you plan to study) to set a goal for the SAT.
3. Build a study plan. Start with your weakest areas and work outward. See How to Create a Study Schedule for the SAT for a step-by-step guide.
4. Practice with real materials. The PSAT and SAT share the same question types, so SAT practice tests are also valid PSAT preparation (and vice versa).
5. Track your progress. Take a timed practice test every 2-3 weeks to measure improvement. Adjust your study plan based on what is working.

For general SAT strategy, see SAT Prep Tips. For grammar-specific review, the Digital SAT Grammar Rules guide covers all 15 tested rules.

Frequently Asked Questions About Good PSAT Scores

What is a good PSAT score for a sophomore?

A good PSAT score for a sophomore is 1050 or higher, which puts you at or above the 76th percentile among 10th graders (College Board user group percentiles). A score of 1150+ is very good, and 1300+ is exceptional. Remember that sophomore scores do not count for National Merit, so the main value is identifying areas to improve before junior year.

What is a good PSAT score for a junior?

A good PSAT score for a junior is 1150 or higher, which puts you at or above the 76th percentile among 11th graders (College Board user group percentiles). National Merit Commended takes a Selection Index of 208 for the Class of 2027, a minimum total of roughly 1320 to 1420 depending on your section split, and 1400+ puts you in Semifinalist range (varies by state). For a detailed breakdown of what scores you need for National Merit, see the PSAT Score Range guide.

What is the average PSAT score for 10th graders?

The mean PSAT score for 10th graders was 917 in the 2025-26 school year, according to College Board's 2026 SAT Suite annual report. Section means were 467 for Reading and Writing and 450 for Math. The median is about 900. It is normal for sophomores to score lower than juniors because they have had less exposure to advanced math topics and standardized testing.

What is the average PSAT score for 11th graders?

The mean PSAT score for 11th graders was 1000 in the 2025-26 school year, according to College Board's 2026 SAT Suite annual report. Section means were 509 for Reading and Writing and 491 for Math. The median is about 980, the 50th percentile on College Board's user group table.

How much do PSAT scores improve between sophomore and junior year?

College Board does not publish an average individual gain, but scores usually rise with another year of coursework and test familiarity. In 2025-26 the 11th grade mean (1000) was 83 points higher than the 10th grade mean (917), and College Board's grade-level benchmarks rise by 30 points per section from 10th to 11th grade. Students who actively study for the PSAT or SAT during this time can gain more.

Does my PSAT score matter for college admissions?

No. PSAT scores are not sent to colleges and are not part of your application. They only matter for National Merit qualification and for your own SAT preparation. A low PSAT score has zero impact on your college admissions chances.

What PSAT score do I need for National Merit?

For the Class of 2027, the Commended Student cutoff is a Selection Index of 208 (a minimum total of roughly 1320 to 1420, depending on your section split). For the Class of 2026, Semifinalist cutoffs varied by state from 210 (smaller states like Wyoming and West Virginia) to 225 (Massachusetts and New Jersey). These cutoffs change slightly each year, so check the most recent published numbers from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Is 1100 a good PSAT score?

A PSAT score of 1100 is above average (the 69th percentile for 11th graders on College Board's user group table), meaning you scored the same as or higher than about two-thirds of junior test takers. It is a good score that makes an SAT target of around 1150-1250 realistic with preparation. It is below the National Merit Commended cutoff, but it is a solid foundation to build on for the SAT.