PSAT- What do the Scores Mean?
About the Test
 Measures your aptitude for college-level work, specifically your critical
reading and problem solving abilities
 DOES NOT measure your memory or specific content learned in school.
Comparing Your Scores to Score on the SAT
 Add a zero to the end of your reading and math scores
 Example: a “45” reading PSAT score is equal to 450 on the SAT; a “50” math
PSAT is equal to the 500 on the SAT:
 The writing score is based on an assay; adding a zero to your writing score
will give an indication of how you will perform on that section of the SAT
NOTE:
The average score for each PSAT test for juniors is 49
Percentiles
 Percentiles are based on 100%
 Example: if you received a score in the 47th percentile, you scored better than
47% of the college-bound juniors taking the test and 53% scored better than
you
ESTIMATED averages of SAT Scores for the Middle 50% of Students at Colleges
Listed Below
Note: This is based on verbal and math scores only. These scores are for the 20112012 school year.
Appalachian State
Davidson
Duke
East Carolina
Elon
Meredith
NC State
UNC-Asheville
UNC- Chapel Hill
UNC-Charlotte
UNC-Greensboro
UNC-Wilmington
Wake Forest
1158
1300
1350
1035
1218
1030
1190
1180
1304
1100
1020
1250
1300
Answer Sheets
 Correct answers, your answers and test question difficulty levels are shown in
the middle
 Test booklets are available for you to look at actual test questions
National Merit Scholarship Eligibility
Based on your selection index; this varies from year to year based on overall scores of
testers. See your Score Report to determine if you are eligible.
Recommended Plan for College Bound Students
October of Junior year
Winter of Junior year
Spring of Junior year
Fall of Senior year
Retake the PSAT
Consider taking the SAT
Take a SAT prep class, if necessary
Take the SAT in mid to late spring
Take the SAT in October, November, if
necessary