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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sections | 60-minute Reading section 35-minute Writing and Language section |
45-minute section (calculator) 25-minute section (no calculator) |
| Questions | 47 Questions (Reading) 44 Questions (Writing and Language) |
31 Questions (calculator) 17 Questions (no calculator) |
| Score Range | 160-760 | 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 Level | Season | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Fall or Spring |
PSAT™ 8/9 |
| 9 | Fall or Spring |
PSAT™ 8/9 |
| 10 | Fall |
PSAT/NMSQT |
| 10 | Spring |
PSAT™ 10 |
| 11 | Fall |
PSAT/NMSQT |
| 11 | Spring |
SAT |
| 12 | Fall |
SAT |
Adapted from: The College Board's Suite of Assessments