PSAT score range compared with the SAT
The PSAT score range is 320–1520, 80 points below the SAT at both ends, because each PSAT section runs 160–760 instead of 200–800.[1]
| Test | Total | Each section | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSAT/NMSQT | 320–1520 | 160–760 | 54 RW + 44 Math |
| PSAT 10 | 320–1520 | 160–760 | 54 RW + 44 Math |
| SAT | 400–1600 | 200–800 | 54 RW + 44 Math |
The PSAT/NMSQT takes 2 hours 14 minutes and, like the SAT, is a multistage adaptive test.[2]
What is a good PSAT score?
A good PSAT score is one above the average for your test: 954 on the PSAT/NMSQT (486 Reading and Writing, 468 Math) and 908 on the PSAT 10 in 2025–26.[3] If you are aiming for National Merit recognition, the number that matters is the Selection Index, not the total.
| Test | Students | Average total | Reading and Writing | Math |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSAT/NMSQT | 2,986,867 | 954 | 486 | 468 |
| PSAT 10 | 377,809 | 908 | 461 | 448 |
From correct answers to the score range
On College Board’s paper PSAT/NMSQT Practice Test #2, each number of correct answers converts to a score range, so the result is a range rather than one number.[7]
| Correct | Reading and Writing (of 66) | Math (of 54) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 310–350 | 360–400 |
| 30 | 370–410 | 420–460 |
| 40 | 440–480 | 510–570 |
| 50 | 520–580 | 650–730 |
| 54 | 560–620 | 760 |
The PSAT score calculator has the full table for every raw score.
Selection Index range and National Merit levels
The Selection Index is (2 × Reading and Writing + Math) ÷ 10, so it runs from 48 (160 and 160) to 228 (760 and 760).[1] NMSC uses it to screen program entrants: about 34,000 students are named Commended on a national qualifying score, and more than 16,000 become Semifinalists on state-by-state scores.[5] For the 2027 program the Commended level was 208.[4] State Semifinalist cut-offs are published by NMSC in its program guide, which does not allow them to be reprinted.
| Reading and Writing | Math | Total | Selection Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 760 | 760 | 1520 | 228 |
| 720 | 700 | 1420 | 214 |
| 700 | 680 | 1380 | 208 |
| 650 | 650 | 1300 | 195 |
| 600 | 600 | 1200 | 180 |
| 500 | 480 | 980 | 148 |
Work out your own indexEnter your section scores, or the answers from a paper practice test, in the PSAT score calculator. For the SAT, see what is a good SAT score and the SAT percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the PSAT score range?
320–1520 for the total and 160–760 for each section, on both the PSAT/NMSQT and the PSAT 10.
What is a good PSAT score?
Above the 2025–26 PSAT/NMSQT average of 954. For National Merit, a Selection Index of 208 or higher reached the Commended level in the 2027 program.
What is the highest PSAT score?
1520 (760 in each section), which gives the maximum Selection Index of 228.
What is the average PSAT 10 score?
908 in 2025–26 (Reading and Writing 461, Math 448).