What is a Good PSAT Score?
High school can feel exciting: new classes, new friends, and early college planning. As you begin preparing for college, you may hear about the PSAT/NMSQT and wonder what role it plays. You might ask yourself: what is a good PSAT score, how the PSAT is scored, what percentiles mean, whether your score matters for scholarships or admissions, and how to improve.
Students usually take the Preliminary SAT in 10th grade, and again in 11th grade. The PSAT helps you gauge how ready you are for the SAT and can lead to recognition through National Merit if your scores are high enough. When you see your PSAT scores, there are section scores, total/composite scores, percentiles, and sometimes Selection Index cutoffs. It’s a lot. Below is a detailed guide with current PSAT scoring, benchmarks, percentiles, and tips so that you know what to aim for.
What is the PSAT / NMSQT and When Do You Take It?
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is given by the College Board, typically in October each school year. It is taken by 10th and 11th graders. The exam serves two main purposes: first, to test your readiness for the SAT; second, for juniors, to qualify for National Merit recognition if you score well and meet state cutoffs.
There are two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is scored from 160 to 760, making the total composite score range from 320 to 1520. The test lasts about two hours and fourteen minutes.
Sophomores often take the PSAT for practice. Juniors who take it are those who may still use the score for National Merit, depending on cutoffs in their state. The National Merit Semifinalists are typically announced in September of the following year.
How Scores and Percentiles Work
Here’s how to understand the numbers:
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Section Scores: Reading & Writing combined is one section; Math is the other. Each from 160 to 760.
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Composite Score: Sum of those two. From 320 to 1520.
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User-Group Percentiles: Your score compared to actual students who took the PSAT in recent years.
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Nationally Representative Percentiles: Compare you to a broader, representative sample of students in your grade, whether or not they took the PSAT.
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Selection Index: Important for National Merit. It’s calculated based on your section scores and used to determine semifinalists by state.
Current Percentile Benchmarks & What Counts as a Good PSAT Score
Here are updated benchmarks showing what scores correspond to percentiles. This will help you know what to aim for to say you have a “good” score.
| Grade | Percentile | Approximate Composite PSAT Score | Section Scores (EBRW / Math) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th grade | 99th percentile (top 1%) | 1480-1520 | ~730+ in EBRW, ~750 in Math |
| 11th grade | 90th percentile | ~1260 | ~650-660 EBRW, ~610 Math |
| 11th grade | 75th percentile | ~1130 | ~580-590 EBRW, ~540-550 Math |
| 11th grade | 50th percentile (median) | ~980 | ~500 EBRW, ~470-480 Math |
For 10th graders, similar percentiles apply, often with slightly lower composite scores for the same percentile because of fewer years of schooling, but the scale is still the same 320-1520.
National Merit Cutoffs & State Variations
If you are aiming for National Merit, knowing your state’s cutoff is crucial, because semifinalist cutoffs differ by state. For the Class of 2025, the Commended Scholar cutoff (national) was 208, which is about the 96th percentile. State semifinalist cutoffs varied from about 207 in some states to 223 in the most competitive states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California. Being just below a cutoff in a competitive state doesn’t disqualify you from doing very well; it just means you might not reach semifinalist status, but other recognitions like Commended are still meaningful.
What a Good PSAT Score Means for Applications
Important points:
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Colleges generally do not see your PSAT/NMSQT score; it is not a part of undergraduate admission.
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Your PSAT is more of a readiness signal and tool to identify which sections you need to improve before taking SAT or ACT.
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It matters heavily if you want National Merit scholarships or recognition, which can help with merit aid or prestige.
So a “good PSAT score” is not just about doing well in that test; it’s about using it to prepare, show improvement, and aim for whatever goals you have, whether that is National Merit recognition or simply SAT readiness.
How to Prepare and Improve Your PSAT Score
To reach higher percentiles and make your PSAT score “good” according to your goals, consider these strategies:
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Take practice PSATs under timed conditions often.
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Review what types of questions you miss: reading passages, grammar, math problem solving, etc.
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Use official practice resources and analyze your mistakes.
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Read widely, especially non-fiction, and practice analyzing graphs and data.
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Strengthen foundational math: algebra, geometry, data analysis.
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Practice writing under timed conditions for reading & writing sections.
Improvement in weaker sections can move your composite score more than trying to boost already high scores slightly.
What Is a Good PSAT Score?
Putting all the data together:
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For most juniors, a “good” PSAT score is around 1130 or higher (about 75th percentile).
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If you want to be competitive for National Merit Semifinalist, aim for 1400-1500 composite depending on your state.
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If you are in the 50th percentile (about 980 composite), you are average; better than many, but with plenty of room to grow.
What Is a Good PSAT Score for Different Goals
Here are some goals and the approximate composite / section scores you might aim for:
| Goal | Approx Composite Score | Section Benchmarks (EBRW / Math) |
|---|---|---|
| National Merit Semifinalist (strong state) | 1450-1520 | ~730+ EBRW / ~740-760 Math |
| Very Strong Percentile (90-98) | 1280-1450 | ~650-700 EBRW / ~600-750 Math |
| Good (75th percentile) | ~1100-1200 | ~580-600 EBRW / ~540-560 Math |
| Decent / Average (50th percentile) | ~900-1000 | ~500 EBRW / ~470-500 Math |
Should You Spend a Lot of Time Preparing for the PSAT?
Considering the PSAT does not matter in college admissions, don’t over-invest your time. Instead, use it as preparation for the SAT, a longer and more important standardized test. If you want to qualify for National Merit, practice regularly with official resources and focus on weaker areas. But remember that your GPA, extracurriculars, and SAT/ACT scores will ultimately matter much more for college admissions.
What Your PSAT Score Really Means for You
The PSAT serves as an introduction to standardized testing. While colleges don’t use it in admissions, your score can help you prepare for the SAT and possibly qualify for National Merit recognition. A good PSAT score depends on your goals: average readiness, high SAT preparation, or reaching National Merit cutoffs. Use your score to guide your study plan, and remember that it’s just one small piece of your overall college journey.
Want to know how your PSAT score stacks up and what to do next? Our Former Admissions Officers can help you analyze your results, set target scores, and build a prep plan that fits your goals. Schedule your free consultation today.