How to Read Your PSAT Score Report

PSAT Scores Are Out Today. Do You Know What They Mean? PSAT scores from the October 2016 sitting will be released to students on December 12, and you may have questions about what they mean and how you can use them to your advantage. Here's our guide on how to read your PSAT score report. With the release of the redesigned SAT, the CollegeBoard aligned PSAT/NMSQT scores, by creating a vertical score scale that offers insight in to future performance. This new score structure provides more comparative scores across the entire suite of SAT Assessments. Vertical Scale Score The vertical scale scoring system helps students to monitor growth as they progress through high school. Scores are aligned with grade level benchmarks to better indicate areas in need of improvement. Your PSAT Score Report By logging-in to your CollegeBoard account, you’ll have access to all of the scores, plus additional insights tied to each score, that indicate college readiness and how you will perform on the SAT. The home screen will show your more recent scores; click View Details to access additional information. On the Report Details page, Benchmark Scores give you an idea of how you will do on the SAT next year and all scores are color-coded to show areas of strength and weaknesses. Scores reported in green meet or exceed the benchmark, scores in yellow are approaching the benchmark, and scores in red indicate areas where you need to strengthen skills to reach the benchmark. On the Skills Insight page you’ll be able to get a better understanding of what your scores say about your current skills and where you can focus to further show improvement. You’ll also see Mean (average) Scores earned by the typical U.S. test-takers per grade. Finally, percentile ranks show how you compared to other students in your particular grade. The percentile represents the percentage of students whose scores fall at of below your score. The NMSC Selection Index indicates whether you qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program recognition, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships based on PSAT/NMSQT Scores. Each student is automatically screened for the entry requirements. You’ll also receive a paper-copy of your score report from your high school, which will show the same scores and insights. Reported Scores Total Score (1) - is the sum of the two section scores and ranges 320 to 1520 Section Scores (2) - range 160 to 760 and are given for Math and Evidence-Based Reading Writing Test Scores (3) - are in Reading, Writing and Language, and Math and range from 8 to 38 Subscores (7) – these seven scores range 1 to 15 in the following categories: command of evidence, words in context, expression of ideas, Standard English Conventions, Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math. Cross-Test Scores (2) - ranging from 8 to 38, provide insight in Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science Next Steps Once you have an idea of what your scores mean, you can link them to the Khan Academy website for additional practice. Most students will also choose to pursue some level of test preparation. At, our expert tutors have extensive experience helping students prepare for both the SAT and ACT, and can develop a cutomized test prep plan based on your PSAT performance and diagnostic exams. Below are some tutoring score results from students who used tutoring for prepare for the SAT or ACT. Contact us today for more information on our tutoring and test prep services.