The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is traditionally taken by high school sophomore and junior students preparing to take the SAT and apply to colleges. Scores are used to determine comparative national percentiles of other students in the same grade as the test taker and to determine eligibility in National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) programs. Students are tested in areas of critical reading, math and writing. The test lasts two hours and 10 minutes.

Critical Reading

This section contains 35 questions based on what is stated or implied in readings and passages that are between 100 and 850 words each. There are also 13 questions involving sentence completion in this section. This section is divided into two 25-minute sections.

Math

This section has 38 questions divided into two 25-minute sections. Questions consist of 28 multiple choice and 10 questions that have students write answers on a special grid. Math topics include geometry and measurements, data analysis and statistics, and algebra and functions.

Writing Skills

This is a single, 30-minute section with 39 questions. Fourteen questions involve identifying sentence errors, 20 on improving sentences and five on improving paragraphs. This section tests the ability to effectively communicate in standard written English, and tests proper grammar usage and basic writing skills.

Scoring

Each section is scored on a scale from 20 to 80. The nonprofit managing group of the PSAT, the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB), reports on their website that in 2009, high school juniors averaged respective scores of 47, 48 and 46 in critical thinking, math and writing skills.

Calculator Use

Students may use calculators on the math section. Standard scientific and graphic calculators are allowed, however calculators that may disturb other test takers or ones that may give an advantage are prohibited.

Source:

College Board

College Board - PSAT/NMSQT: Scores and Review