You are probably already familiar with—and thinking about taking—the SAT, the exam you need to take to get to college. But wait a minute. There’s a PSAT, too? And three different versions? Do I really have to take ALL these tests?

Well, the short answer is maybe, depending on your school. However, you will most likely end up taking the PSAT/NMSQT before taking the SAT.

So, what are all these PSAT tests, and what’s on them?

PSAT vs. SAT

The SAT and all versions of the PSAT (PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9) are standardized tests that measure similar skills in reading, writing and language, and math. The tests share a similar format as well, but the length and content vary based on which grade level it is intended for.

First, beyond assessing the same skills, the tests also feature similar question types. After all, the PSAT exams are meant to prepare students for the SAT. Thus, there will be no surprises when you get to the SAT; you will have seen it all before.

The structure of the exams remains the same, too. You will begin with the Reading test, then take the Writing and Language test before ending with the Math section. The Math section will have calculator and non-calculator portions, with both featuring grid-in questions at the end of each portion.

You are never penalized for wrong answers on either exam. As such, bubbling your entire answer sheet pays off, even if the last 10 questions of every section are Bs (or Cs or Ds—you get the point) all the way down. Be sure to stick with one letter to maximize how many you guess correctly.

Finally, the manner in which the PSAT and SAT are scored, as well as what you will see on your score report, are the same. However, the overall score totals are different due to the fact that there are slightly fewer questions on the PSATs. While the overall score totals are useful for colleges, you should actually be interested in the other scores provided in your report.

Since the point of the PSAT is to prepare for the SAT, the fact that the score reports are the same is important. This data will help you understand your progress over time and areas in need of improvement. The test scores, cross-test scores, and subscores will all help you dial in your focus both in school and in preparation for the SAT.

Each section—Reading, Writing and Language, and Math—has a test score between 10 and 40. These scores provide a general overview of your college readiness in those areas.

The two cross-test scores—Analysis in Science and Analysis in History/Social Studies—are also between 10 and 40. They measure your ability to analyze text and data in those subjects. For example, if you have a particularly low score in Analysis in Science, then it will be a good idea to put in more effort in those classes and spend more time practicing reading passages and math problems focused on science.

Both the PSAT and the SAT have seven subscores that measure different skills. Each subscore is between 1 and 15, but the actual number of questions per skill varies for every test. They cover these skill categories:

• Command of Evidence
• Words in Context
• Expression of Ideas
• Standard English Conventions
• Heart of Algebra
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis
• Passport to Advanced Math

Delving into your subscores provides you with a detailed look at your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to tweak your preparation plans to best suit your needs. If you are serious about competing in PSAT/NMSQT or getting your very best score on the SAT, the subscores have the information you need to get there.

Alright, so there are a lot of similarities between the PSATs and the SAT. What are the actual differences?

The differences boil down to difficulty, timing, and score ranges. The difficulty and amount of questions change depending on which grade the PSAT is meant for. The amount of time you have per question remains amount the same. The score ranges for the PSATs are also lower than the SAT because they have fewer questions on them. Refer to the table below to see the exact differences for each exam.

*The PSAT/NMSQT will only be offered digitally beginning in Fall 2023, introducing changes that will be coming to the SAT when it goes fully digital in 2024.

The other major differences between the PSATs and the SAT are in the purpose and logistics for each exam, which is discussed in detail in the next section.

The SAT Suite of Assessments 

While almost all states in the United States have a standardized test system to measure their students’ academic achievement, the SAT Suite of Assessments focuses on tracking college readiness.  Thus, the exams are intended to provide students with a general progress report of their skills throughout high school as they prepare for college and careers. One major goal of the PSATs is to provide snapshots for students throughout high school so that they are as prepared and successful as possible when taking the SAT.

The PSAT 8/9 

All versions of the PSAT function, like the P in the name suggests, as preliminary versions of the SAT.

The PSAT 8/9 is a low-stakes test for eighth and ninth graders. It introduces students to the format of the exam, as well as the types of questions they will see. The exam is much less difficult than the other exams. Questions will focus on the fundamental reading, writing, and math skills students need to progress through high school and be ready for college.

More than any other test in the suite, the PSAT 8/9 is a starting point to help students and teachers identify where they are in their learning journey and what skills may need improvement. As such, students should not study for the PSAT 8/9 like they might for the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT. The whole point is to measure their skills as they are. Colleges will never see these scores. It is only meant to be a starting point.

The exam will also identify their strengths, which College Board will use to suggest AP (Advanced Placement) courses. AP courses prepare students for college in a more rigorous manner than most regular high school courses, and they are an excellent way for students to experience what college coursework is like with much more support from their teachers.

Like other PSATs, the only way to take the PSAT 8/9 is through an administering school, which chooses when to give the exam. There may also be a small fee associated with taking the exam. However, every school is different, so talking with your school counselor is the best option to learn more specific details.

The PSAT 10 & PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT 10 & PSAT/NMSQT are the exact same test. The only difference is that the PSAT 10 is administered at a different time in the school year and it does not qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The PSAT 10 is administered only to students in the spring of their sophomore year. Since it is exactly like the PSAT/NMSQT, you may be wondering why it is even offered. The point is to provide students with an exam experience before they take the PSAT/NMSQT as juniors in the fall. Therefore, the PSAT 10 functions in many ways like the PSAT 8/9; it assesses students’ academic skills so that students can make a plan to study and improve those skills before taking the PSAT/NMSQT. This exam is also used to suggest AP courses as students plan their junior and senior class schedules.

The PSAT 10 is administered by schools, which choose which date in early or late spring for their sophomores to take. There may also be a small fee associated with taking the exam. However, every school is different, so talking with your school counselor is the best option to learn more specific details.

Like the PSAT 8/9, the PSAT 10 is meant to give you a better idea of your academic strengths and weaknesses. Colleges will never see these scores. If you opt-in to the Student Search Service when you take the exam, College Board will provide some of your information to scholarship programs, but these will not see your individual scores either.

These two exams, the PSAT 8/9 and the PSAT 10, lead up to the PSAT/NMSQT. While this is still a practice exam for the SAT, it also functions as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. The National Merit Scholarship Program is the most well-recognized scholarship program in the United States. Students who receive qualifying scores on the PSAT/NMSQT and receive Commended or Semifinalist status are in a good position to be awarded scholarships and acceptance to colleges of their choice, even if they do not make it all the way through the competition. For more details on the journey to become a National Merit Scholar, check out our article here .

Both high school sophomores and juniors may take the PSAT/NMSQT, which is administered by schools in October. You do not register for the exam; your high school does it for you. Even if your school did not offer the PSAT 8/9 or 10, it is likely that they will administer the PSAT/NMSQT.  There may be a small fee associated with taking the exam. As always, your counselor will have all the logistical details for you.

If you take the PSAT/NMSQT as a sophomore, be aware that the content and difficulty is aimed more at incoming juniors, rather than students who were freshman a few months ago. You may encounter mathematical concepts you have not yet been taught and more advanced reading and writing questions. This all depends on your high school curriculum and what classes you have taken so far. If you are concerned about qualifying for the National Merit Scholarship Competition, don’t be! You will take the PSAT/NMSQT again as a junior, which is when you will officially enter the competition. (If you plan to graduate high school early, check with your counselor in regards to when you can compete in the program. It can get complicated.)

Whether you are a sophomore or a junior, this is another chance to be matched up with a variety of scholarship programs. Just be sure to opt into the Student Search Service.

Even if you are not interested in competing in the National Merit Scholarship Program, taking the PSAT/NMSQT is yet another chance for you to track your academic progress and use that information to make a plan for the rest of high school. As a junior, it is your last chance to truly practice for the SAT as well, because after this administration, you will only be able to take the SAT, and that will cost you money.

The SAT 

This is the test that counts for college admissions. Unlike the previous preliminary exams, you may take the SAT as many times as you would like, You get to choose when to take it and if you want to send scores to colleges.

Despite this good news, you must take responsibility for registering for the exam, and it costs $60 to take it each time. Sending score reports to colleges can also cost money, depending on when you choose to send them.

Therefore, it is best to be prepared to take the SAT so that you are more likely to earn your target score the first or second time you take it. It is in your interest to not only take the PSAT/NMSQT (at the very least!) but to also take practice exams on your own to ensure you are ready for when it really counts.