SAT Suite
What’s the Difference Between the PSAT-Related Assessments and the SAT?
Although the PSAT-related assessments and the SAT® have a lot in common, they have differences, such as when you should take the assessments and what your scores mean.
Let's start by comparing things like name, purpose, content, scoring, and cost.
What’s the SAT Suite of Assessments?
The SAT Suite of Assessments is made up of the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and PSAT™ 8/9. These assessments examine reading and writing and math skills at a level appropriate for the various grade levels taking the tests.
Depending on your school or district, you may take the PSAT 8/9 in 8th or 9th grade. In 10th grade, you may take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall or PSAT 10 in the spring. Most 11th graders take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall and the SAT in the spring. Many students decide to take the SAT again at the beginning of their senior year. The SAT is the only test in the SAT Suite of Assessments available to seniors.
Taken together, the SAT Suite of Assessments is designed for students, parents, and teachers to understand and track student progress toward college and career readiness.
The Difference Between PSAT-Related Assessments and the SAT: Name
What Does “SAT” Stand For?
Today, “SAT” has no meaning as an acronym. The SAT acronym originally stood for “Scholastic Aptitude Test,” but as the test evolved, the acronym’s meaning was dropped.
What Does “PSAT” Stand For?
“PSAT” stands for “Preliminary SAT,” but it has no meaning on its own, and you won’t see it as a stand-alone term (Except in a copyright line where it may appear with other trademarks). There’s no single test, but rather three PSAT-related assessments: the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
The Difference Between the PSAT-Related Assessments and the SAT: Purpose
Why Take the SAT?
Most colleges in the U.S.—including those that are test optional—accept SAT scores as part of the admissions process. Together with high school grades, the SAT can show your potential to succeed in college and careers. SAT scores are standardized, so they help colleges compare students from different high schools. Your scores show your strengths and readiness for college work. But remember, scores are just one part of your college application.
Why Take the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is more than good practice for the SAT. If you’ve already taken the PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10, you’ll be able to track your improvement. With insights about your knowledge and skills, you can set your own target score for the SAT. And, based on your scores, you’ll get personalized recommendations about AP® courses that are a good fit. What sets the PSAT/NMSQT apart from the rest of the tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments is that students who take it and meet other program entry requirements will enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT.
Why Take the PSAT 10?
The PSAT 10 is the same test as the PSAT/NMSQT, but it’s only offered to 10th graders in the spring. Taking this test doesn’t qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program, but many other scholarship partners consider PSAT 10 scores.
Why Take the PSAT 8/9?
The PSAT 8/9 is designed to be taken as you start your high school journey. It will help you understand your strengths and what skills you’ll need to practice so you can continue to improve.
Learn more about the PSAT 8/9.
The Difference Between the PSAT-Related Assessments and the SAT: Who Takes Them and When
Who Can Take the SAT?
Although anyone can take the SAT, most students take it in 11th or 12th grade in preparation for college applications.
Who Can Take the PSAT/NMSQT?
The PSAT/NMSQT is usually taken by 10th or 11th graders.
Who Can Take the PSAT 10?
The PSAT 10 is intended for 10th graders.
Who Can Take the PSAT 8/9?
The PSAT 8/9 is intended for 8th and 9th graders.
When Is the SAT Administered?
The SAT is administered on weekends in test centers seven times a year, in March, May, and June, August, October, November, and December. See upcoming SAT test dates, which include anticipated test dates and SAT registration deadlines.
Many schools also offer SAT in school on a school day in the spring for juniors and in the fall for seniors.
When Are the PSAT-Related Assessments Administered?
The PSAT/NMSQT is administered in the fall, the PSAT 10 in the spring, and the PSAT 8/9 in both the fall and spring. Schools and districts decide who will take the test and when. Check with your school to find out when you’ll take the test.
The Difference Between the PSAT-Related Assessments and the SAT: Scoring
PSAT-Related Assessments and SAT Scoring
The maximum total and section scores vary between tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments.
How Is the SAT Scored?
The maximum total score you can achieve on the SAT is 1600 points, which is calculated by combining two section scores—Reading and Writing, and Math—each out of a maximum possible 800 points.
How Are the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT Scored?
The highest total score you can achieve on the PSAT 10 or PSAT/NMSQT is 1520. This is calculated by combining two section scores—Reading and Writing, and Math—each out of a maximum possible 760 points.
How Is the PSAT 8/9 Scored?
The maximum total score you can get on the PSAT 8/9 is 1440. This consists of two section scores—Reading and Writing, and Math—each out of a maximum possible 720 points.
Who Sees Your SAT Scores?
Colleges and scholarship programs only see a student’s SAT scores when the student has specifically designated them as recipients. Students can select these recipients prior to taking the test or later. Learn more about how to send SAT scores.
Who Sees Your PSAT/NMSQT Scores?
College Board sends your PSAT/NMSQT scores to your school and, in most cases, to your school district and state as well. Schools can also send your score report to your parents.
The College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges. However, because the PSAT/NMSQT is the official qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as co-sponsor of the test, receives all scores.
Who Sees Your PSAT 10 Scores?
As with the PSAT/NMSQT, College Board sends your PSAT 10 scores to your school and, in most cases, to your school district and state. Schools can also send your PSAT 10 score report to your parents.
Colleges do not receive your PSAT 10 scores. Your PSAT 10 scores are not part of the college admissions process. PSAT 10 scores aren’t automatically sent to the partner scholarship organizations as they are with the PSAT/NMSQT.
Learn more about who sees your PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 scores.
Who Sees Your PSAT 8/9 Scores?
College Board sends your PSAT 8/9 scores to your high school and, in many cases, to your school district and state. Schools may send score reports to your parents.
Colleges do not receive your PSAT 8/9 scores, and they play no part in the college admissions process.
Learn more about who sees your PSAT 8/9 scores.
