Good PSAT Score Ranges, Percentiles & More

What is a Good PSAT Score? (2024)

  • A good PSAT score is between 1210 and 1520, which would put you in the top 10% of all test-takers.
  • The average PSAT score is about 920, and a “perfect” score on the PSAT would be the maximum score of 1520. 
  • The PSAT score you need to earn a National Merit Scholarship varies by state.
  • Only your 11th-grade PSAT/NMSQT score can qualify you for National Merit scholarships.

Your PSAT score is a good indicator of how well you will do on the SAT, so it’s important to understand PSAT scoring and to review your score report. Your overall PSAT score will range from 320 (lowest) to 1520 (highest) and is calculated by adding your two section scores together. In this guide, we’ll break down how the PSAT is scored so you can review PSAT score ranges and understand what a good PSAT score is.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

When do PSAT scores come out?

In 2024, students who took the PSAT/NMSQT will receive their scores on one of three release dates:

  • October 24, 2024
  • November 7, 2024
  • November 14, 2024

Which release you fall into depends on your test day and when your answers were submitted. When your score is ready, you will have two options for viewing your score report: asking your school counselor for a PDF of your score report or logging into the BigFuture School mobile app.

How PSAT Scoring Works

On your score report, you will see how you did on each section and your score percentile. Your PSAT score report will include information about next steps and whether or not you are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

  • Your score report will provide detailed information about your scores, percentiles, and more.
  • You will receive a score ranging from 160 to 760 on each of the two sections (Reading & Writing and Math).
  • Your overall PSAT score will range from 320 to 1520 and is calculated by adding your two section scores together.
PSAT Scoring Guide 2024-2025

PSAT Score Ranges & Percentiles

Below are PSAT scoring ranges and percentiles from 2024.

 Best PSAT Scores


These PSAT scores will put you in the top 10% of all PSAT test takers

Best PSAT Math Scores: 620+

Best PSAT Writing & Reading Scores: 620+

Best Overall PSAT Scores: 1210-1520

 

 Competitive PSAT Scores


These PSAT scores will put you in a highly competitive place in admissions (top 25% of all PSAT test takers)

Competitive PSAT Math Scores: 560-610

Competitive PSAT Writing & Reading Scores: 560-610

Competitive Overall PSAT Scores: 1070-1200

 

 Above Average PSAT Scores


These PSAT scores put you ahead of the pack (50%+), but won’t be as advantageous when applying to highly competitive programs and scholarships

Above Average PSAT Math Scores:  500-550

Above Average PSAT Writing & Reading Scores: 500-550

Above Average Overall PSAT Scores: 950-1060

 Below Average PSAT Scores


These scores may be enough to get into a wide variety of college programs, but will be below average compared to the testing population

Below Average PSAT Math Scores: Below 500

Below Average PSAT Writing & Reading Scores:  Below 500

Below Average Overall PSAT Scores: 950 or Below

[ GOOD TO KNOW: What Does Your PSAT Score Mean for the SAT or ACT? ]

Why take the PSAT?

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and is taken in high school, usually during a student’s junior year. Below, we list four reasons why students should take the PSAT.

  • The PSAT is a test run for the SAT.

    Taking the PSAT in high school prepares you for the SAT and ACT, allowing you to simulate critical college entrance exams you’ll have to take later in your high school career. You’ll be able to familiarize yourself with standardized test questions and see how you perform under strict time limits with a proctor present.


  • Your PSAT score can guide your SAT test prep.

    In addition to your overall scores, you will receive a comprehensive analysis of your PSAT performance in specific content areas. This in-depth analysis can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses which will inform your ACT and SAT test prep. The PSAT also gives you a percentile ranking, which allows you to compare your scores with those of other high school juniors who took the test. For example, a student with a percentile of 63 has earned a score better than 63 percent of that year’s test takers.


  • The PSAT helps you stand out to colleges.

    Many schools purchase lists of high-scoring students and encourage these students to apply. A high score on the PSAT could get you noticed by colleges and earn you small perks such as meals during visits and waived application fees.

  • A good PSAT score can qualify you for scholarships.

    Taking the PSAT allows you to qualify for several scholarship programs, most notably the National Merit Scholarship Program. Your junior year PSAT score is what qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship. Some schools or districts will offer sophomores the opportunity to take the PSAT in October or the PSAT 10 in the Spring. This is a good chance for extra practice and to see how you might expect to perform on the PSAT in your junior year, when the test counts for scholarships.


The National Merit Scholarship Program & the PSAT

The top 50,000 scorers on the PSAT are recognized in some way by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Winners share in the more than $33 million in National Merit Scholarship money. Only juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT are eligible for National Merit Scholarships. 

Of the top 50,000 scorers, 34,000 are classified as Commended Students, and the top 16,000 scorers become Semifinalists. Approximately 15,000 Semifinalists become Finalists and will receive Certificates of Merit. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be chosen from this group of Finalists based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. These 6,870 students will receive scholarships to be used toward their college education. 

Many high scorers who don’t receive National Merit Scholarships are awarded merit scholarships from the schools to which they apply based on their high PSAT scores. Whether you qualify as a Commended Student, a Semifinalist, a Finalist, or a full-fledged National Merit Scholar, it’s definitely worth noting this achievement on your college applications.

[ RELATED READING: How to Become a National Merit Scholarship Finalist ]

What PSAT score do you need to become a National Merit Scholarship Finalist?

National Merit uses Selection Index scores to determine who qualifies for the National Merit program. To calculate your Selection Index score, multiply your PSAT Reading & Writing score by 2, add it to your Math score, and then divide the result by 10. The College Board includes your Selection Index score on your PSAT/NMSQT score report. You will see an asterisk next to the National Merit Selection Index score if you are not eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program. 

The Selection Index score needed to be a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist depends on the state in which you live. Each state has a preset number of Semifinalists, and once scores come in for students, that determines the cutoff score for that year in that state. For example, if you took the PSAT/NMSQT in 2023 and were living in California at that time, you needed to have a Selection Index score of 221 to qualify as a Semifinalist. If you lived in South Dakota, you needed to score a 208.

The 2024 Semifinalist cutoff scores by state won’t be released until after PSAT score reports are back. Regardless of the exact cutoff for your state, all of the students who qualify earn high scores; less than the top 1% of high school students advance to become Semifinalists.

For more information on the National Merit Scholarships and Special Scholarships, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

PSAT Preview Quiz

How would you do on the PSAT? Practice with our quick quiz!


Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Melissa McLaughlin, Pre-College Content Developer and Heather Waite, Director of Content and Curriculum, Pre-College.