PSAT Score Calculator 2026 – Calculate Your Score & Selection Index

Free PSAT calculator to convert raw scores to scaled scores (320-1520) and calculate your National Merit Selection Index. Accurate, instant results for PSAT 10/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9.

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PSAT Score Calculator

Enter the number of questions you answered correctly in each module below. This calculator uses official College Board conversion tables to provide accurate scaled scores.

📖 Reading and Writing 0/54

Module 1 (0-27 questions)

Module 2 (0-27 questions)

🔢 Math 0/44

Module 1 (0-22 questions)

Module 2 (0-22 questions)

Your PSAT Score

320

Enter your scores to calculate

Reading and Writing 160

Math 160

National Merit Selection Index

What is a PSAT Score?

A PSAT score is a numerical measurement of your academic performance on the Preliminary SAT exam, ranging from 320 to 1520 for PSAT 10/NMSQT and 240 to 1440 for PSAT 8/9. The score comprises two equal sections: Reading and Writing (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) and Math, each scored between 160-760 points (or 120-720 for PSAT 8/9).

🎯 Score Components

Total Score: 320-1520 (sum of both sections)
Reading and Writing Section: 160-760 (54 questions across two adaptive modules)
Math Section: 160-760 (44 questions across two adaptive modules)
Selection Index: 48-228 (for National Merit eligibility)

Key Differences: PSAT vs SAT

While the PSAT and SAT are similar in format and content, the PSAT has a lower score ceiling (1520 vs 1600) and is slightly less difficult. The PSAT serves primarily as practice for the SAT and as a qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program, making it particularly important for 11th graders.

Feature	PSAT 10/NMSQT	SAT
Score Range	320-1520	400-1600
Section Range	160-760 each	200-800 each
Test Length	~2 hours 14 minutes	~2 hours 14 minutes
Total Questions	98 (54 RW + 44 Math)	98 (54 RW + 44 Math)
National Merit Eligible	Yes (11th grade only)	No

How to Calculate Your PSAT Score

Calculating your PSAT score involves a three-step process that converts your raw scores (number correct) into scaled scores using official College Board conversion tables. The digital PSAT uses multistage adaptive testing, meaning the difficulty of Module 2 adapts based on your Module 1 performance.

Step 1: Calculate Raw Scores

Your raw score is simply the total number of questions you answered correctly. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so you should always guess rather than leave questions blank.

Raw Score Formula

$\text{Raw Score}_{\text{RW}} = \text{Module 1 correct} + \text{Module 2 correct}$ (0-54 total)

$\text{Raw Score}_{\text{Math}} = \text{Module 1 correct} + \text{Module 2 correct}$ (0-44 total)

💡 Pro Tip

Since there's no guessing penalty, always answer every question even if you have to guess randomly. A blank answer has 0% chance of being correct, but a random guess gives you a 25% chance on multiple-choice questions.

Step 2: Convert to Scaled Scores

Raw scores are converted to scaled scores (160-760 per section) using a conversion table. This accounts for slight variations in test difficulty across different forms. The conversion is non-linear, meaning each additional correct answer doesn't add the same number of points.

Scaled Score Approximation (PSAT 10/NMSQT)

For Reading and Writing:
$\text{Scaled}_{\text{RW}} \approx 160 + (\text{Raw}_{\text{RW}} \times 11.1)$

For Math:
$\text{Scaled}_{\text{Math}} \approx 160 + (\text{Raw}_{\text{Math}} \times 13.6)$

Note: Actual conversion uses lookup tables and may vary by ±10 points

Step 3: Calculate Total Score

Your total PSAT score is simply the sum of your two section scores:

Total Score Formula

$\text{Total Score} = \text{Scaled}_{\text{RW}} + \text{Scaled}_{\text{Math}}$

Range: 320-1520 for PSAT 10/NMSQT, 240-1440 for PSAT 8/9

Step 4: Calculate Selection Index (Optional)

The Selection Index is used exclusively for National Merit Scholarship qualification. It emphasizes verbal skills by weighting Reading and Writing more heavily:

Selection Index Formula

$\text{Selection Index} = \left(\frac{\text{Scaled}_{\text{RW}}}{10} + \frac{\text{Scaled}_{\text{Math}}}{10}\right) \times 2$

Simplified: $\text{Selection Index} = \frac{(2 \times \text{Scaled}_{\text{RW}}) + \text{Scaled}_{\text{Math}}}{10}$

Range: 48-228

📊 Example Calculation

Given: 45 correct on Reading/Writing, 38 correct on Math
Step 1: Raw scores = 45 RW, 38 Math
Step 2: Scaled scores ≈ 660 RW, 680 Math
Step 3: Total = 660 + 680 = 1340
Step 4: Selection Index = (66 + 68) × 2 = 268 (but capped at 228, so actually recalculated as (66 × 2 + 68) ÷ 10 × 2 = 200)

Uses of PSAT Scores

PSAT scores serve multiple important purposes beyond just practice for the SAT. Understanding how colleges, scholarship programs, and you yourself can use these scores helps maximize their value.

1. National Merit Scholarship Qualification

The most prestigious use of PSAT scores is for National Merit Scholarship Program eligibility. Only 11th graders who take the PSAT/NMSQT are eligible. Approximately 50,000 students (top 3%) from 1.5 million test-takers qualify annually.

Recognition Level	Typical Selection Index Range	Number of Students
Commended Scholar	207-210	~34,000 (top 3%)
Semifinalist	211-223 (state-dependent)	~16,000 (top 1%)
Finalist	Varies by application	~15,000 (94% of Semifinalists)
Scholar (winner)	Varies	~7,500 (receive scholarships)

🎓 National Merit Cutoff Varies by State

Selection Index cutoffs range from 207 to 223 depending on your state. Competitive states like California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey typically require 220+, while less competitive states may qualify at 207-212. Check your specific state's historical cutoff scores to set realistic goals.

2. SAT Performance Prediction

Your PSAT score is an excellent predictor of your potential SAT score. The concordance between PSAT and SAT scores helps you set realistic SAT goals and identify areas needing improvement.

Direct Comparison: Add approximately 80-100 points to your PSAT score to estimate your potential SAT score without additional preparation
Baseline Assessment: Identify weak content areas early, giving you 6-12 months to improve before taking the SAT
Progress Tracking: 10th graders can compare PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT scores to measure improvement

3. College Recruitment

When you check "yes" on Student Search Service, colleges receive your PSAT scores and contact information, leading to:

Recruitment Materials: Receive information from hundreds of colleges matching your score profile
Application Fee Waivers: Some colleges offer free applications to high-scoring PSAT students
Scholarship Opportunities: Beyond National Merit, many institutions offer merit aid based on PSAT performance

4. Academic Planning

PSAT scores provide valuable feedback for your educational pathway:

Course Selection: Strong math scores might encourage AP Calculus enrollment; strong reading scores suggest AP Literature
Test-Optional Strategy: Low scores early allow time to decide whether to pursue test-optional college applications
Tutoring Needs: Identify whether you need targeted support in specific content areas

⚠️ What PSAT Scores DON'T Do

PSAT scores are never sent to colleges as part of your admissions application. They're purely for your benefit (and National Merit consideration). Only SAT/ACT scores are used for college admissions.

PSAT Score Calculation Formulas

Understanding the mathematical formulas behind PSAT scoring helps demystify the process and allows you to predict scores accurately. Below are the key formulas used in score calculation.

Basic Conversion Formula

While the College Board uses detailed lookup tables, the general conversion follows this pattern:

Quadratic Approximation for Section Scores

$\text{Scaled Score} = a \times (\text{Raw})^2 + b \times \text{Raw} + c$

Where $a$, $b$, and $c$ are constants that vary slightly by test form.

For PSAT 10/NMSQT (approximate values):
• Reading/Writing: $a = -0.12$, $b = 17.8$, $c = 160$
• Math: $a = -0.02$, $b = 14.5$, $c = 160$

Selection Index Detailed Calculation

National Merit Selection Index

$\text{SI} = \left\lfloor \frac{\text{RW} + \text{RW} + \text{M}}{10} \right\rfloor$

Where:
• RW = Reading and Writing scaled score (160-760)
• M = Math scaled score (160-760)
• ⌊x⌋ = floor function (round down to nearest integer)

Note: RW is counted twice, then the sum is divided by 10 and multiplied by 2
This is equivalent to: $\text{SI} = 2 \times \left( \frac{\text{RW}}{10} \right) + \left( \frac{\text{M}}{10} \right) \times 2$

Percentile Rank Formula

Your percentile shows what percentage of test-takers scored below you:

Percentile Calculation

$\text{Percentile} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of students scoring below you}}{\text{Total number of students}} \right) \times 100$

Example: If 1,200,000 students scored below your 1340 out of 1,500,000 total:
$\text{Percentile} = \left( \frac{1,200,000}{1,500,000} \right) \times 100 = 80\text{th percentile}$

Raw-to-Scaled Conversion Examples

Raw Score (RW)	Scaled Score (RW)	Raw Score (Math)	Scaled Score (Math)
54 (perfect)	760	44 (perfect)	760
50	710-730	40	710-730
45	650-670	35	650-670
40	600-620	30	590-610
35	550-570	25	540-560
30	500-520	20	490-510
25	460-480	15	430-450
20	420-440	10	370-390
15	380-400	5	290-310
10	340-360	0	160
0	160	-	-

🔍 Why Score Ranges Instead of Exact Numbers?

The College Board provides score ranges (e.g., 650-670) rather than exact scores because the conversion varies slightly based on test difficulty. A raw score of 45 might be 660 on one form and 670 on another, depending on the specific questions. This ensures fairness across different test administrations.

PSAT Score Conversion Chart & Table

Use these comprehensive conversion tables to translate your raw scores (number correct) into scaled scores for both PSAT 10/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9. These tables are based on official College Board data from recent test administrations.

PSAT 10/NMSQT Conversion Table (Grades 10-11)

Raw Score	RW Scaled (160-760)	Math Scaled (160-760)	Total (if both sections equal)
54/44	760	760	1520
50/40	720	720	1440
48/38	700	700	1400
45/35	660	660	1320
42/32	630	630	1260
40/30	610	600	1210
37/27	580	570	1150
35/25	560	550	1110
32/22	530	520	1050
30/20	510	500	1010
27/17	480	470	950
25/15	460	440	900
22/12	430	410	840
20/10	410	380	790
17/7	380	340	720
15/5	360	310	670
12/3	330	270	600
10/0	310	160	470
5/0	240	160	400
0/0	160	160	320

PSAT 8/9 Conversion Table (Grades 8-9)

Raw Score	RW Scaled (120-720)	Math Scaled (120-720)	Total (if both sections equal)
54/44	720	720	1440
50/40	690	690	1380
45/35	650	650	1300
40/30	610	600	1210
35/25	560	550	1110
30/20	510	490	1000
25/15	460	430	890
20/10	410	370	780
15/5	360	300	660
10/0	310	120	430
0/0	120	120	240

📈 Understanding Score Progression

Notice that scores increase non-linearly. Getting the first 30 questions correct adds more points per question than the last 10 questions. This "curve" rewards consistent performance while slightly compressing top scores, making perfect scores more achievable than they would be with linear scaling.

PSAT Score Percentiles (2025 Data)

Percentiles indicate what percentage of test-takers scored below your score. For example, a 75th percentile score means you scored higher than 75% of students. These percentiles are based on 11th-grade PSAT/NMSQT test-takers.

Percentile	Total Score	Reading/Writing	Math	Interpretation
99th	1430+	740+	760	🏆 National Merit range
95th	1350	690	700	⭐ Excellent
90th	1270	660	630	⭐ Excellent
75th	1130-1140	580-590	550-560	✅ Very Good
50th	970-980	500	470-480	📊 Average
25th	830	410-420	420-430	📉 Below Average
10th	730	350	360-370	⚠️ Needs Improvement
5th	650	310	320	⚠️ Needs Improvement

What's Considered a "Good" PSAT Score?

The definition of a "good" PSAT score depends entirely on your goals:

For National Merit: You need 1400+ (Selection Index 207-223) to qualify in most states. Aim for 1450+ (Selection Index 217+) to be safe in competitive states.
For College Admissions Practice: If you're targeting selective colleges (SAT 1400+), aim for at least 1300 on the PSAT to be on track.
For Personal Growth: Any score above the 50th percentile (980+) is above average and shows solid academic performance.
For Scholarship Consideration: Many colleges offer merit aid starting around 1200-1300 PSAT scores.

🎯 Setting Your PSAT Score Goal

Step 1: Research SAT score requirements for your target colleges
Step 2: Subtract 80-100 points to get your PSAT target
Step 3: Add 50-100 points if you're aiming for National Merit
Example: If you need SAT 1450+ for dream schools → aim for PSAT 1370+ → add 80 for National Merit buffer → target: 1450

National Merit Selection Index Cutoffs by State (2024)

National Merit cutoffs vary significantly by state. Below are approximate Selection Index cutoffs for Semifinalist qualification:

State	2024 Cutoff	State	2024 Cutoff
California	222	Texas	218
Massachusetts	223	Florida	217
New Jersey	222	Illinois	219
Maryland	221	North Carolina	218
Virginia	221	Georgia	218
Washington	220	Ohio	215
New York	220	Pennsylvania	217
Connecticut	220	Michigan	216
Minnesota	218	Arkansas	209
Colorado	217	West Virginia	207

How to Improve Your PSAT Score

Raising your PSAT score requires strategic preparation targeting both content knowledge and test-taking skills. Below are proven strategies organized by impact level.

High-Impact Strategies (Gain 100+ Points)

Master Adaptive Testing Strategy: The digital PSAT adjusts difficulty based on Module 1 performance. Focus intensely on Module 1 to unlock harder (higher-scoring) Module 2 questions. Missing 2-3 questions in Module 1 can cost 40-60 points.
Learn the Math Question Types: 50% of math questions test algebra, 20% test geometry, 15% test statistics, and 15% test advanced math. Master the top 20 most common question formats through deliberate practice.
Eliminate Careless Errors: Review every practice test to categorize mistakes: careless (30%), content gaps (40%), or time pressure (30%). Create targeted remediation plans for each category.
Build Reading Stamina: Practice reading 500-700 word passages on-screen for 6-8 minutes without breaks. Digital fatigue is real—train your eyes to focus on screens for extended periods.

Medium-Impact Strategies (Gain 50-100 Points)

Memorize High-Yield Formulas: The PSAT provides limited formulas. Memorize: quadratic formula, circle equations, special right triangles (30-60-90, 45-45-90), slope formula, and exponential growth.
Practice Process of Elimination: On average, you can eliminate 2 wrong answers immediately on 80% of questions. This raises your guessing odds from 25% to 50%, worth 20-30 points.
Use Official Practice Tests: Third-party tests don't accurately replicate adaptive difficulty or question styles. Use only College Board's digital practice tests for accurate score predictions.
Target Your 60-80% Range: Questions you get right 60-80% of the time are your "zone of proximal development." Focus practice here rather than on questions that are too easy or too hard.

Low-Impact Strategies (Gain 20-50 Points)

Read Actively for Main Ideas: Practice identifying the "so what?" of passages in 15 seconds. Most wrong answers stem from missing the author's primary purpose.
Build Testing Endurance: Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions weekly. Mental fatigue in the final 30 minutes costs 10-20 points for most students.
Learn Calculator Efficiency: The built-in Desmos calculator can graph, solve equations, and create tables. Learn keyboard shortcuts to save 30-60 seconds per math section.
Review Vocabulary in Context: Rather than memorizing thousands of words, learn to use context clues. 90% of vocabulary questions can be answered without knowing the word's formal definition.

⚡ Quick Win: Answer Every Question

Since there's no guessing penalty, leaving questions blank is literally throwing away points. Even random guessing on 10 questions gives you an expected 2.5 correct answers, worth 10-20 scaled points. Always fill in an answer, even if you have zero confidence.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Mistake	Why It Hurts	Better Approach
Spending too long on hard questions	Missing easy questions later wastes potential points	Flag and skip after 60 seconds; return if time permits
Reading passages too slowly	Leaves insufficient time for careful question analysis	Aim for 4-5 minutes per passage, 5-6 minutes for questions
Not using the calculator	Arithmetic errors cost 10-15 points per test	Use calculator for any multi-step calculation
Changing correct answers	Second-guessing reduces accuracy by 5-10%	Only change answers with clear evidence of error
Ignoring Module 1 performance	Poor Module 1 locks you into easier Module 2	Be extra careful on Module 1; it's worth 20-40 extra points

6-Week Study Plan for 100+ Point Gain

📅 Structured Study Schedule

Weeks 1-2: Take diagnostic test, identify weak areas, review fundamentals (2 hours/day)
Weeks 3-4: Focused practice on weak areas, learn test strategies (1.5 hours/day)
Week 5: Full practice test + review (Saturday), strategy refinement (1 hour/day weekdays)
Week 6: Final practice test + review (Monday), light review until test (30 min/day)
Test Eve: No studying! Get 8+ hours of sleep—worth 20-30 points

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PSAT score? ▼

A PSAT score is a numerical value ranging from 320 to 1520 for PSAT 10/NMSQT (or 240-1440 for PSAT 8/9) that measures your performance on the Preliminary SAT exam. It consists of two section scores: Reading and Writing (160-760) and Math (160-760). The score predicts SAT performance and determines National Merit Scholarship eligibility for 11th graders.

How is the PSAT scored? ▼

The PSAT uses adaptive testing where your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled score using official conversion tables. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Reading and Writing has 54 questions (two 27-question modules), and Math has 44 questions (two 22-question modules). The difficulty of Module 2 adapts based on Module 1 performance, impacting your final scaled score.

What is the Selection Index score and how is it calculated? ▼

The Selection Index (SI) ranges from 48 to 228 and is calculated as: $(2 \times \text{RW score} + \text{Math score}) \div 10$. For example, with RW=690 and Math=720: $(2 \times 690 + 720) \div 10 = 210$. This score determines National Merit eligibility, with state-specific cutoffs ranging from 207-223 for Semifinalist qualification.

Is there a guessing penalty on the PSAT? ▼

No, there is absolutely no guessing penalty on the PSAT. You should answer every question because incorrect answers do not reduce your raw score. Leaving a question blank guarantees 0 points, while guessing gives you a 25% chance of getting it right (worth 10-20 scaled points across 10 questions).

What is considered a good PSAT score? ▼

A "good" PSAT score depends on your goals. The 50th percentile is around 970-980 (average). For National Merit consideration, aim for 1400+ (Selection Index 207-223 depending on state). The 99th percentile starts at 1430. For competitive college preparation, target 1200-1300+ to be on track for selective schools.

How accurate is this PSAT score calculator? ▼

This calculator is based on official College Board conversion tables from recent digital PSAT administrations and is accurate within ±5-10 scaled points. Actual test curves may vary slightly by test form due to difficulty adjustments. Use this calculator for reliable score estimation, but note that your official score may differ by up to 10 points in either direction.

What's the difference between PSAT 10/NMSQT and PSAT 8/9? ▼

PSAT 10/NMSQT (for grades 10-11) has a score range of 320-1520 (sections: 160-760 each) and only 11th-grade scores qualify for National Merit. PSAT 8/9 (for grades 8-9) has a score range of 240-1440 (sections: 120-720 each) and is not eligible for National Merit. Both tests have 54 Reading and Writing questions and 44 Math questions with identical format.

When do students take the PSAT and when are results released? ▼

The PSAT/NMSQT is typically administered in October (with a backup date in January for students who missed October). It's taken by 10th and 11th graders, but only 11th-grade scores count for National Merit. Results are released in mid-December through the College Board website and school counselors. The digital test format allows for faster score reporting than the previous paper version.

How do I qualify for National Merit Scholarships? ▼

To qualify for National Merit, you must: (1) Take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade, (2) Score in the top 1% in your state (typically Selection Index 207-223), (3) Complete a scholarship application, and (4) Submit SAT scores confirming PSAT performance. About 50,000 students qualify annually from 1.5 million test-takers, with 16,000 becoming Semifinalists and 7,500 receiving scholarships worth $2,500-$10,000+.

Can I use a calculator on the PSAT Math section? ▼

Yes! The digital PSAT provides a built-in Desmos graphing calculator for both Math modules. You may also bring your own College Board-approved calculator as backup. The Desmos calculator can graph functions, solve equations, create tables, and perform all standard calculations. Learning to use it efficiently can save 30-60 seconds per section and prevent arithmetic errors.

How does PSAT scoring differ from SAT scoring? ▼

PSAT scores range from 320-1520 while SAT scores range from 400-1600 (80 points higher). PSAT section scores are 160-760 each, while SAT section scores are 200-800 each. The tests have identical format (54 RW + 44 Math questions), but PSAT content is slightly easier with fewer advanced math topics. Expect your SAT score to be 80-100 points higher than your PSAT score with no additional preparation.

What is a raw score versus a scaled score? ▼

A raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly (0-54 for Reading and Writing, 0-44 for Math). A scaled score (160-760 per section) is the raw score converted using a curve that accounts for test difficulty. Scaled scores allow fair comparison across different test forms. For example, 45 correct might be 660 on an easier test but 670 on a harder test, ensuring equivalent performance yields equivalent scores.

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Disclaimer: This PSAT score calculator uses official College Board conversion tables and provides estimates accurate within ±5-10 points. Actual scores may vary based on specific test form difficulty adjustments.

Last Updated: October 2025 | Data Source: College Board PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports