The PSAT is scored on a total scale of 320 to 1520, with each section (Reading and Writing, Math) scored from 160 to 760. If you have ever wondered what the PSAT is out of, why the max score is 1520 instead of 1600 like the SAT, or what your score actually means for National Merit and SAT predictions, this guide breaks it all down.
PSAT Score Range: The Quick Answer
The PSAT max score is 1520, not 1600, because the test does not include some of the most difficult question types found on the SAT. This lower ceiling is intentional. The PSAT is a preliminary test, and the slightly narrower score range reflects its role as a stepping stone rather than the final assessment.
How PSAT Scoring Works Step by Step
Your PSAT score goes through several stages between your answers and your final report:
1. Raw Score
Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so every question you answer correctly adds one point to your raw score.
- Reading and Writing: up to 54 raw points (54 questions)
- Math: up to 44 raw points (44 questions)
2. Scaled Score
The College Board converts your raw score to a scaled score using equating tables that adjust for slight differences in test difficulty across administrations. This ensures that a score of 600 on one test date means the same as a 600 on another.
- Reading and Writing: scaled to 160-760
- Math: scaled to 160-760
3. Total Score
Your total PSAT score is the sum of your two section scores: Reading/Writing + Math = Total (320-1520).
4. Selection Index
For National Merit purposes, the College Board calculates a Selection Index. The formula is: (Reading/Writing section score + Math section score) × 2 / 10, which simplifies to your total score divided by 5, then rounded. The Selection Index ranges from 48 to 228 and is the number used to determine National Merit Commended, Semifinalist, and Finalist status.
PSAT Score Percentiles
Percentiles tell you how your score compares to other students who took the PSAT. A 75th percentile score means you scored higher than 75% of test takers. Here are approximate percentiles for common PSAT total scores:
The average PSAT score is approximately 950-1000, which falls near the 45th-50th percentile. About half of all test takers score above this range and half below.
What Is a Good PSAT Score?
Good depends on your goals. Here is how to think about different score levels:
For most students, the PSAT score that matters is whatever tells you where to focus your SAT preparation. A score of 900 is not bad if it motivates you to study the right topics and raise your SAT score by 200+ points over the next few months.
National Merit Selection Index: How It Works
The Selection Index is the single number that determines National Merit recognition. Here is how it is calculated and what the cutoffs look like:
How to Calculate Your Selection Index
The formula is straightforward: take your total PSAT score and multiply by 2, then divide by 10. Or equivalently, divide your total score by 5 and round to the nearest whole number.
Example: If your PSAT total is 1420, your Selection Index is 1420 / 5 = 284 → capped at 228 (max). In practice: Reading/Writing 710 + Math 710 = 1420 total. Selection Index = (710 + 710) × 2 / 10 = 284, but the maximum is 228.
More realistically: Reading/Writing 680 + Math 700 = 1380 total. Selection Index = (680 + 700) × 2 / 10 = 276 → still above 228 cap. The Selection Index effectively caps at 228, which corresponds to a total score of about 1140+ on the old pre-2024 PSAT scale. On the current Digital PSAT, top scorers will all max out the Selection Index.
State-by-State Cutoffs
National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs vary by state because the program selects the top scorers proportionally from each state. Here are approximate recent cutoffs for selected states:
These cutoffs shift slightly each year. The Commended Student cutoff is the same nationwide, typically around a Selection Index of 207 (approximately a PSAT score of 1210+). To learn more about the PSAT and National Merit in general, see What Is the PSAT?
PSAT Score to SAT Score: What to Expect
Because the PSAT and SAT test the same content in the same format, your PSAT score is a strong predictor of your SAT performance. Your SAT score will typically be 50-100 points higher than your PSAT score, since students usually improve with additional preparation and because the SAT has a higher ceiling (1600 vs. 1520).
The biggest gains come from identifying your weakest areas and focusing on them. Students scoring 800-1000 on the PSAT often have the most room for improvement because there are likely specific skill gaps that, once addressed, can unlock major score jumps on the SAT.
Understanding Your PSAT Score Report
When scores are released in December, you get a detailed report through your College Board account. The report includes:
- Total score (320-1520) and section scores (160-760 each)
- Selection Index for National Merit comparison
- Percentiles showing how you compare to other test takers nationally
- Skill area breakdowns for each section:
- Reading and Writing: Craft and Structure, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Expression of Ideas
- Math: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Geometry and Trigonometry
- Question-level results showing which questions you got right and wrong
This report is the most valuable part of taking the PSAT. Use the skill area breakdowns to identify exactly where you lost the most points, then build your SAT study plan around those areas.
How to Improve After Seeing Your PSAT Score
Your PSAT score is a starting point, not a final judgment. Here is how to use it to improve for the SAT:
- Review your score report carefully. Identify which skill areas cost you the most points. Was it grammar? Algebra? Data analysis? Reading comprehension?
- Focus on your two weakest areas first. Targeted practice on specific weaknesses yields faster improvement than general review. Use Larry Learns quizzes to drill specific question types.
- Study math formulas and grammar rules. These are the most learnable content on the test. The SAT Math Formula Sheet and Digital SAT Grammar Rules guides are good starting points.
- Take timed practice tests. Simulate real test conditions to build stamina and pacing skills. The PSAT experience should have shown you whether time pressure was a factor.
- Build a study schedule. Create a structured plan that starts from your PSAT weak points. See How to Create a Study Schedule for the SAT for a step-by-step guide.
For general preparation strategy, see SAT Prep Tips. Most students who prepare seriously after the PSAT see meaningful improvement on the SAT, often 100-200 points or more.
Frequently Asked Questions About PSAT Scores
What is the PSAT out of?
The PSAT is scored out of 1520 total (320 minimum, 1520 maximum). Each section (Reading and Writing, Math) is scored from 160 to 760. The max is 1520 instead of the SAT's 1600 because the PSAT does not include the most difficult questions found on the SAT.
What is the average PSAT score?
The average PSAT/NMSQT score is approximately 950-1000, which falls near the 45th-50th percentile nationally. The average section scores are roughly 470-500 for Reading and Writing and 470-500 for Math.
What PSAT score do I need for National Merit?
For Commended Student recognition, you typically need a Selection Index of about 207 (approximately a PSAT score of 1210+). For Semifinalist status, cutoffs vary by state, generally ranging from a Selection Index of 209-224 (PSAT scores of roughly 1380-1490+). Check your state's specific cutoff, as it changes each year.
How is the PSAT Selection Index calculated?
The Selection Index equals your total PSAT score divided by 5 (rounded), or equivalently (Reading/Writing score + Math score) × 2 / 10. The index ranges from 48 to 228. This single number determines National Merit Commended, Semifinalist, and Finalist eligibility.
Does my PSAT score predict my SAT score?
Yes. Since the PSAT and SAT share the same format and content, your PSAT score is typically within 50-100 points of your SAT score (accounting for the different scales). With focused preparation after the PSAT, most students improve by 100-200 points on the SAT.
Do colleges see my PSAT score?
No. PSAT scores are not sent to colleges and do not appear on any college application. The only external purpose of the PSAT score is National Merit qualification. However, if you opt in, your PSAT score may be shared with colleges through the College Board's Student Search Service, which allows colleges to send you information (not for admissions decisions).
What is the PSAT max score?
The maximum PSAT score is 1520 (760 Reading and Writing + 760 Math). The maximum Selection Index is 228. The score ceiling is lower than the SAT's 1600 because the PSAT excludes some of the hardest question types.
Can I retake the PSAT to improve my score?
The PSAT/NMSQT is offered once per year in October. You can take it in both sophomore and junior year, but only your junior-year score counts for National Merit. There is no option to retake it a second time in the same year. If your PSAT score is lower than expected, focus your energy on SAT preparation instead.
