Thinking About College, "What is the Difference Between the SAT and the PSAT?"

The SAT and PSAT are both standardized tests administered by the College Board, but they serve different purposes and have some key differences:

1. Purpose:

   • SAT: Primarily used for college admissions. It helps colleges evaluate your readiness for college-level work and compare students from different schools.

   • PSAT: Often considered a practice test for the SAT. It also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program (when taken as the PSAT/NMSQT).

     
     

2. Content and Structure:

   • Both tests cover similar content areas: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. However, the SAT is slightly more challenging and longer than the PSAT.

     
     

3. Scoring:

   • SAT: Scored on a scale of 400 to 1600.

   • PSAT: Scored on a scale of 320 to 1520. The scores are designed to predict your SAT score.

     
     

4. Timing:

   • SAT: Typically taken by students in 11th or 12th grade.

   • PSAT: Usually taken by students in 10th or 11th grade. The PSAT/NMSQT is taken in the fall of 11th grade.

     
     

5. Cost:

   • The SAT generally has a higher registration fee compared to the PSAT.

     
     

Taking the PSAT can be a great way to prepare for the SAT and potentially qualify for scholarships. Do you have any other questions about these tests or college admissions in general?