SAT Suite

What's a Good PSAT 8/9 Score?

Congratulations on taking the PSAT 8/9, an important step in planning for high school and beyond. This test measures your skills and knowledge of topics (at an eighth- and ninth-grade level) that set you up for success in high school and college.

Your PSAT 8/9 score, which can range from 240 to 1440, is the total of your Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores. The PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT share a common scale. This means if you scored 500 on the Math section of the PSAT 8/9, you would be expected to get the same score on the 3 other tests if you’d taken them that day.

A “good” score on the PSAT 8/9 is relative to each test taker. Think of your score as a benchmark that shows how you’re doing so you can stay on track through high school and as you plan for college.

Getting Your Scores

PSAT 8/9 scores are released on a rolling basis depending on when you took the test. If you’re 13 or older, you can create an account and view your scores in the College Board student score portal.

Your score report shows your score ranges, average scores, college readiness benchmarks, and percentile ranks. These results highlight where you’re doing well and areas you might want to work on. Check out this article on viewing and making the most of your scores.

You Have Your Scores—Now What?

Once you create an account and log in, use these resources to make the most of your PSAT 8/9 scores:

  1. Explore Your AP Potential: Your PSAT 8/9 score report recommends AP courses that may be a good fit based on the areas you excel in. AP classes and exams are a great way to prepare for college and earn college credit while you’re in high school. These classes are more challenging than the average high school course and give you an advantage when applying to college.

  2. BigFuture.org: Start thinking about college and take advantage of our free tools. For example, the college search tool gives you access to thousands of colleges and universities. You can also access resources like our campus visit guide and Financial Aid 101. College may seem far away, but BigFuture can help you start thinking about your interests and your postgraduation plans.

  3. Explore Careers: Search for careers based on your skills and interests with this free tool from the College Board. It’s never too early to start looking into career options, which can help you plan for college majors and classes.

Get Going and Set Yourself Up for Success in High School!

Give yourself a big thumbs up for taking the PSAT 8/9 and kickstarting your college planning process! Good luck on your road to college—and remember to take advantage of all the great tools and resources your scores give you access to.