The PSAT is the exam taken around sophomore or early junior year in preparation for the SAT. This standardized exam mirrors the SAT in many ways, including similar sections and grading. The PSAT is shorter than the SAT, taking a little over 2 hours to complete, and does not include a writing section.

In addition to SAT preparation, a student may also submit his PSAT scores to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

What’s on the PSAT?

The PSAT consists of three sections: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills.

Previously known as the verbal section, the Critical Reading section tests a student’s reading comprehension. Included are short and long paragraph reading passages, along with questions on the reading as well as sentence completion questions.

The Math section includes ten open-response questions, in addition to multiple choice. Calculators are permitted.

The Writing Skills section includes questioning designed to exhibit a student’s skills in grammar usage and sentence structure, including questions on improving sentences and paragraphs and identifying errors in sentences.

When to take the PSAT?

The PSAT is generally given in October of your junior year of high school. However, many students take the PSAT as sophomores. This gives them risk-free exposure to the exam’s format and questions, with a preview of what’s to come with the SAT.

PSAT Scoring

Scoring for the PSAT is designed to mimic SAT scoring. Each of the three sections of the PSAT is graded on a scale of 20 to 80 (as opposed to 200 to 800 on the SAT). The scores are added together for your PSAT Score, on a scale from 60 to 240. Your scores will also include a national percentile rank.

What We Offer

Private Tutoring. No matter what your test-taking abilities happen to be, everyone can benefit from one-on-one personal tutoring, especially for a test as important as the PSAT. Our PSAT tutors offer years of experience in helping students get better scores on the PSAT. And that means better scores on the SAT and a better chance of qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship Program. We spend time with our students. We listen to them and answer all their questions. We guide each and every student on their way to becoming passionate learners since being motivated and knowing what to expect makes taking the PSAT a much easier and comfortable experience.

Small Group Tutoring. Do you work better in groups? Maybe you prefer studying with friends. Or perhaps you want to share the cost of a private tutor. Whatever the reason, small group tutoring may be right for you. Create your own group of PSAT study buddies and get the personal, individualized attention you deserve. Or, contact us for available PSAT tutoring groups near you. Every student in a small group is given the attention and feedback they deserve from their tutor, so everyone in the group has an opportunity to improve their PSAT scores.