The PSAT/NMSQT in 2015

The College Board will be making content, format and scoring changes to the PSAT in 2015 to reflect the changes to the SAT in 2016. The redesigned PSAT test will closely reflect the new SAT and is recommended as practice for the SAT by the College Board. It is scheduled to be first administered in the Fall of 2015.

Old PSAT New PSAT (October 2015)
240 1520
2 hours and 10 minutes 2 hours and 45 minutes
Critical Reading 80
Writing 80
Math 80
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 760
Math 760
1/4 guessing penalty no guessing penalty
5 Answer Choices 4 Answer Choices

 

New PSAT Structure

 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Math
Sections60-minute Reading section
35-minute Writing and Language section
45-minute section (calculator)
25-minute section (no calculator)
Questions47 Questions (Reading)
44 Questions (Writing and Language)
31 Questions (calculator)
17 Questions (no calculator)
Score Range160-760 160-760

 

Exam Timeline

In addition to the revised PSAT/NMSQT, the College Board is introducing versions of the PSAT targeted specifically for eighth, ninth, and tenth graders as additional preparation for the SAT. As college admissions continue to become more competitive these additional exams will provide ample practice to younger students to prep them to take the SAT in 11th or 12th grade. According to the College Board all exams in the College Board's Suite of Assessments from the PSAT™ 8/9 to the SAT will be "scored using the same scale, providing a powerful tool for measuring growth." However, only the PSAT/NMSQT will have an impact on the National Merit Scholarship.

Grade LevelSeason Exam
8Fall or Spring
PSAT™ 8/9
9Fall or Spring
PSAT™ 8/9
10Fall
PSAT/NMSQT
10Spring
PSAT™ 10
11Fall
PSAT/NMSQT
11Spring
SAT
12Fall
SAT