Varun Srinivasan December 12, 2023 4 PSAT Info and Tips,SAT Info and Tips

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion Chart 2024

What’s Covered:

• PSAT to SAT Score Conversion Chart
• Differences in the PSAT and SAT
• How Your SAT Score Impacts Your Chances of Acceptance

If you’ve taken the PSAT, you may be wondering how that translates to an SAT store. Since the PSAT and SAT have different scoring systems and levels of difficulty, your score doesn’t directly translate 1-to-1.

Luckily, there is an official concordance table, which we’ll share in this post, along with tips for using your PSAT results to help study for the SAT.

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion Chart

* The College Board now administers the PSAT 8/9 for 8th and 9th graders and the PSAT 10 for 10th graders. Note that the scores in this table are for the PSAT/NMSQT, and not for other versions of the test.

* Note that the PSAT and SAT have different scoring systems, with total scores of 1520 and 1600, respectively.

Preparing for the SAT is an intense endeavor that can often be stressful. Your PSAT scores, though, can be used as a tool to help predict your SAT score and to guide your studying. Use your predicted SAT score as a starting point, identify areas of weakness to improve upon, and you’ll find that you’re able to increase your score steadily.

Differences in the PSAT and SAT

1. Scoring Systems

The PSAT’s scoring system differs slightly from the SAT’s. For the PSAT, scores in the Verbal and Math sections range from 160 to 760, resulting in a composite score that spans from 320 to 1520. PSAT scores are less than those of the SAT, which has a maximum composite score of 1600 and assigns a score between 200 and 800 to each section.

In addition, unlike the SAT, which offers more thorough feedback on student performance, the PSAT scores do not include subscores for particular skills.

2. Test Length

The SAT lasts three hours—or 3 hours 50 minutes with the optional essay—while the PSAT is shorter, at 2 hours and 45 minutes. Compared to the SAT, the PSAT has fewer questions overall and a shorter section length, which may impact test-takers’ need for endurance and pace.

3. Content and Difficulty

Language, Reading, Writing, and Math are covered in both exams. But the SAT covers more ground, particularly in the Math section, where it covers more difficult subjects like complex algebra and trigonometry. In comparison to the PSAT, the SAT’s Reading and Writing parts have texts and questions that are more difficult to understand and need a higher level of analytical ability.

4. Purpose and Use

The PSAT is frequently taken to prepare for the SAT and to meet eligibility requirements for the National Merit Scholarship Program. On the other hand, the SAT plays a crucial role in college admissions decisions as it allows institutions to evaluate candidates’ academic preparedness.

Although the PSAT can assist students in determining their areas of strength and weakness before the SAT, the majority of universities will take the SAT results into account when making admissions decisions.

5. Calculator Usage in Math Section

Calculators are allowed during some, but not all, of the Math portion of the SAT and PSAT. Because of its more difficult math material, the SAT frequently calls for more advanced calculator use. This can involve deciphering more intricate data sets and resolving more difficult algebraic problems, while the PSAT calculator section typically consists of simpler data analysis and algebraic questions.

How to Use Your PSAT Score

Your score report will show your section breakdowns as well as your subscores within each section. Using your subscores, you can hone in on your weaknesses and practice those specific skills. Just look up the subscore name + “SAT practice”, and you can find many free resources, such as Khan Academy.

We specifically have guides for these math subsections:

• Heart of Algebra
• Passport to Advanced Math
• Problem Solving + Data Analysis

Don’t forget to continue to review and practice the sections you’re strong in as well, as you want to maintain your grasp of those.

How Your PSAT and SAT Score Impact Your Chances of Acceptance

Your PSAT score will not impact your college admissions chances, as there isn’t even space to report them in the Common App. However, if you’re a National Merit Semifinalist or Commended Scholar, you can report that in the Honors section of the application. In this case, this award will certainly be impressive to colleges.

The SAT does matter in admissions, even with the expansion of test-optional policies. It’s another data point that colleges use to assess your academic ability, so you should take the test if you can. Your SAT score (if you submitted one), along with your GPA and course rigor, are what selective colleges use to initially screen your application. These data points are turned into a metric called the Academic Index. If you pass the Academic Index threshold, your application will get read, and the qualitative aspects like your essays and extracurriculars will be considered.

If you’re wondering what score you’d need to boost your odds of getting into your top choice schools, check out CollegeVine’s free chancing engine, which accounts for every element of your application, from test scores to GPA to extracurriculars and course rigor, to give you your personalized chances of getting into each school on your list. You can enter potential SAT scores to see how well you’d need to do to bump up your chances of acceptance.