What is the SAT?

The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It's designed to measure a high school student's readiness for college and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants.

How is the SAT different from the PSAT?

While the tests cover the same subjects, there are key differences:

• Purpose: The PSAT is for practice and scholarship qualification. The SAT is for college admissions.
• Scoring: The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600, while the PSAT/NMSQT scale is 320-1520.
• Difficulty: The SAT contains slightly more advanced math concepts and more complex reading passages to assess readiness for college-level work.

SAT College Readiness Benchmarks

Meeting the SAT benchmark indicates a 75% chance of earning a C or higher in related, first-semester, credit-bearing college courses. These scores help you understand your readiness for college-level work.

Effective Study Strategies

A structured study plan can make a big difference. These tips apply to both the PSAT and SAT:

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  Take a Practice Test First

  Start with a full-length practice test using the College Board's Bluebook™ app. This gives you a baseline score and highlights your strengths and weaknesses so you know where to focus your time.

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  Analyze Your Mistakes

  Carefully review your practice test results. Don't just look at what you got wrong, but *why* you got it wrong. Was it a content gap, a careless error, or a time management issue?

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  Master Core Math Concepts

  The Math section heavily tests Algebra. Solidify your understanding of linear equations, systems of equations, and functions. Use Khan Academy for targeted practice on these "Heart of Algebra" skills.

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  Learn Grammar Rules for Writing

  The Writing section tests specific grammar rules. Focus on punctuation (commas, apostrophes, semicolons), subject-verb agreement, and pronoun clarity. Many points can be gained by mastering these rules.

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  Read Actively and Widely

  For the Reading section, practice identifying the main idea, author's purpose, and tone. Reading articles from a variety of sources (science, history, literature) will help you get comfortable with the types of passages on the test.

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  Create a Consistent Schedule

  Dedicate a specific amount of time each week to studying. Even 2-3 hours a week over a few months is more effective than last-minute cramming.

Advanced Study Techniques

Go beyond simple review with these proven learning methods to make your studying more efficient and effective.

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  Active Recall

  Instead of passively re-reading notes, actively test yourself. Use flashcards for vocabulary or math formulas, or try to explain a concept out loud without looking at your book. This strengthens memory retrieval.

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  Spaced Repetition

  Review information at increasing intervals over time. For example, review a new grammar rule after one day, then three days, then a week. This is much more effective for long-term retention than cramming.

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  Elaboration and Interleaving

  Connect new information to what you already know (elaboration). Also, mix up your practice by switching between different types of math problems or reading passages (interleaving) instead of practicing one skill for a long block of time.

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  Concept Mapping

  Draw diagrams that connect ideas. For example, create a map for different types of geometry problems, linking concepts like area, perimeter, and volume with their respective formulas and when to use them. This helps you see the big picture.

Decoding Your PSAT Score Report

Your score report gives you more than just a number. It's a tool to understand your academic skills. Here's what to look for:

College Readiness Benchmarks

The College Board sets benchmark scores to indicate if you are on track for college readiness. Meeting a benchmark means you have a 75% chance of earning a C or higher in related, first-semester, credit-bearing college courses.

• Meeting the Reading & Writing benchmark suggests readiness for courses in history, literature, social sciences, and writing.
• Meeting the Math benchmark suggests readiness for courses in algebra, statistics, pre-calculus, or calculus.

National Merit Scholarship Qualification

Only your 11th-grade PSAT/NMSQT scores are used for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Qualification is based on a Selection Index score, not your total score.

• Commended Students: About 34,000 students are recognized based on a single national cutoff score. For the Class of 2025, the cutoff was a Selection Index of 208.
• Semifinalists: About 16,000 students (the top 1% in each state) qualify. The cutoff score varies by state and year.

Example Semifinalist Cutoffs (Class of 2025):

Connecting Scores for Personalized Practice

Once you’ve taken a full practice test on Bluebook™, that practice test will become available under “My Practice” on CollegeBoard’s website. Once you sign into your CollegeBoard account, you can click the arrow to the right of your practice test score to see your score details, including a question-by-question breakdown. At the top of the score details page, you’ll see a link to “explore every question on Khan Academy.” Click that link to get to Khan Academy’s Official Practice Test Review for that practice test, which includes detailed explanations for every question, as well as links to our lessons for each question type (all completely free)!

Helpful Khan Academy Links

• PSAT/NMSQT FAQs
• Using the Bluebook™ App with Khan Academy
• How to Use Khan Academy Courses Together