Every student deserves to have the best PSAT tips at the ready to help them step up to the batter’s box on testing day, prepared to smash each question out of the park! 

As an underutilized, underestimated resource, the PSAT contains a lot of unknowns for students and their families – starting with the most basic fact that its name doesn’t stand for Practice SAT, as most people believe. The PSAT stands for the Preliminary SAT.

That’s not to say that it isn’t great practice; it absolutely is.

But understanding that it’s the first important step in a string of related standardized exams and application to-dos in your college process checklist will help you know how to leverage it to your greatest advantage.

You could also win a one-time National Merit Scholarship Program monetary award. (But fair warning, only about .5% of students achieve this, so don’t over-focus on it. Better to hone in on the other opportunities the PSAT gives you; money’s a bonus!)

Tips On How To Study For The PSAT

Unlike the SAT and ACT, the PSAT is only offered once a year (in the middle of October). So if you’re a junior, remember: you’ve only got one official shot at it. If you’re a sophomore or freshman, you can take the PSAT as a practice while waiting for your turn, but your score for the National Merit Scholarship doesn’t count until your junior year. 

Either way, know how to study for your one-shot that counts on the PSAT.

Take it seriously.

It doesn’t have the same pressure as the SAT or ACT because no college will see your PSAT scores. So use this as an opportunity to help yourself get better at taking standardized tests, and to earn yourself some scholarships through the National Merit qualification!

Be familiar with the structure of the test.

The PSAT consists of four sections:

• English Section 1, evenly distributed between Easy, Medium, and Hard questions
• English Section 2, either an Easier or Harder version depending on your Section 1 score
• Math Section 1, evenly distributed Easy, Medium, and Hard questions
• Math Section 2, either an Easier or Harder version depending on your Section 1 score

Be familiar with the questions on the test.

The PSAT is structured exactly the same as the SAT with the same exact types of questions, only they don’t get as difficult. Review what’s on the PSAT here, or go through their PSAT question bank here.

Drill some PSAT practice questions to be ready.

Practice like it’s the real thing.

Use a full-length PSAT Practice Test to up your game. It’s the only way to get better.

Read boring material.

You’ll encounter a lot of dense literature on the test, and the PSAT loves to make questions harder by using super old texts that have old slang and sentence structure. Make sure your mind has practice focusing and analyzing things you don’t want to read – especially if you want to do better on the reading and vocabulary sections.

Become best friends with the Desmos graphing calculator.

So many of the math questions can be solved by typing the equations or functions exactly as they are into Desmos, but you have to remember to use it and you have to know how to be quick about it. Spend some quality time with the Desmos calculator and use it for all of your PSAT test prep until it becomes second nature.

Download a free Guide to the ACT & SAT for even more in-depth tips.

Pick up extra points (and avoid the pesky traps that the test-makers lay for unsuspecting students!) with this eBook’s useful advice and helpful test-taking strategies.

Get professional guidance if you want to achieve your best possible score.

Invest in the best PSAT 2-in-1 Course for both SAT and PSAT prep for your junior year, or try out another online prep course to boost your positive outcome potential. 

Both this SAT Comprehensive course also includes the very popular “Cash For College” course. With access to all of this for a full year, you can start with the PSAT prep then easily transition to SAT to get into your dream college and know the best ways to also pay for it.

PSAT Testing Tips

Make sure you have your school-issued or school-approved device with a CHARGER and your CollegeBoard LOGIN, and pack your bag the night before. Double-check requirements with the local school if you’re homeschooled!

Between cramming or sleeping the night before, definitely choose sleep.

The best thing you can do is show up clear-headed and well-rested to do your best on the test. 

Accuracy is always better than speed.

Be super accurate on the medium to hard questions, and don’t sweat it if you aren’t able to finish the test. Don’t miss an easy or trick question by rushing.

Fill in all the bubbles.

No penalties for wrong answers. Answer as many questions correctly as you can, then guess at the end.

Utilize ALL of the Bluebook tools

Annotate, annotate, annotate on the reading passages so you don’t have to read things twice; use your Desmos calculator; take breaks when you need to; skip around to different questions and mark the rest for later. Take advantage of the fact that you’re testing on an app!

Eat. Drink. Move.

Eat an energizing breakfast and bring a snack for the break. Drink water to stay hydrated, but not so much that you need to go to the restroom during the test. Move around to warm up your brain both before the test and during the break.

Tips To Remember Post-PSAT

Be patient.

Your scores will be available online in mid-December. 

ACT vs SAT. Which test is a better fit for you?

Now that you have more information from surviving one standardized test, it’s time to decide which one to focus on next. You don’t need both.

Take our SAT vs ACT quiz to see which one might be a better fit for you.

See your score as a reflection of where you are right now, not how smart or capable you are.

By looking at what questions you missed, you can easily determine what principles and which types of questions to focus on in your SAT or ACT studying to earn your highest possible score.

Remember, no college is going to see your PSAT score. So use it to learn from.

You don’t have to win a National Merit Scholarship to earn money from your PSAT score.

With any level of National Merit recognition (aka a good score compared to the rest of the students testing in your state) you can apply for tuition money from either specific colleges or private sponsors. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Higher Scores Team.