PSAT to SAT Score Conversion Chart: Predict Your SAT Score

June 15, 2022

Neither PSAT to SAT score conversion nor PSAT-to-SAT predictions are a precise science. However, since the PSAT and SAT are scored on differing scales, it can be helpful to view an approximate PSAT to SAT conversion chart that will assist you in predicting your SAT score based off of a PSAT results.

With the explosion of the test-optional and test-blind movements at the start of the pandemic, teens who are not strong standardized test-takers may feel a sense of relief. Yet, many students applying to selective colleges in 2022-23 should still strongly consider taking the SAT (or ACT) multiple times.

Read more in our blog: Should I Apply Test-Optional to College?

Should I take the PSAT 10 or the PSAT/NMSQT?

Sophomores in high school typically take the PSAT 10. In order to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, you’ll need to take the PSAT/NMSQT as a junior. For more about winning a National Merit Scholarship, visit this blog on the subject.

How long does the PSAT take?

Both the PSAT 10 and the PSAT/NMSQT take 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete and are abbreviated versions of the real SAT. These two PSAT tests are formatted in exactly the same way.

Is the PSAT similar to the SAT?

The Verbal and Math sections of the PSAT are each scored on a 160-760 scale. Overall, the PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520. In contrast, each section of the SAT is scored on a 200-800 scale. The overall scale is 400-1600.

What’s on the PSAT?

Just like the official SAT the PSAT is made up of two overall sections and three subsections. Under the umbrella of Evidence-Based Reading & Writing are two subsections: Reading and Writing.

Reading

Number of questions: 47
Time: 60 minutes
Primary Content: Reading comprehension, vocabulary in content, command of evidence, and analysis ability.

Writing

Number of questions: 44
Time: 35 minutes
Primary Content: Editing ability, vocabulary in context, and understanding of grammar.

The math section accounts for the other half of a student’s score.

Math

Number of questions: 48
Time: 70 minutes
Primary Content: Concepts from Algebra I & I, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Will my SAT score be the same as my PSAT score?

Estimated Conversion Chart – PSAT to SAT

Note, these numbers are based on previous figures released by the College Board and can change from year-to-year. Additionally, we want to point out that the percentile column refers to where you would rank in relation to the SAT test-taking population, not the general population.

PSAT Score	Projected SAT Score	SAT Percentile
1520	1600	99+
1510	1590	99+
1500	1580	99+
1490	1560	99+
1480	1540	99
1470	1520	99
1460	1500	98
1450	1480	97
1440	1470	97
1430	1460	96
1420	1450	96
1410	1440	95
1400	1430	95
1390	1420	94
1380	1410	94
1370	1410	94
1360	1400	93
1350	1390	93
1340	1380	92
1330	1370	91
1320	1360	91
1310	1350	90
1300	1350	90
1290	1340	89
1280	1320	87
1270	1310	87
1260	1310	87
1250	1300	86
1240	1290	85
1230	1280	84
1220	1270	83
1210	1260	82
1200	1250	81
1190	1240	79
1180	1230	78
1170	1220	77
1160	1210	76
1150	1200	74
1140	1190	73
1130	1180	72
1120	1170	70
1110	1160	69
1100	1140	66
1090	1130	64
1080	1120	63
1070	1110	61
1060	1100	59
1050	1090	58
1040	1080	56
1030	1070	54
1020	1060	52
1010	1060	52
1000	1050	51
990	1040	49
980	1030	47
970	1020	45
960	1010	44
950	990	42
940	980	40
930	980	40
920	970	37
910	960	35
900	940	32
890	940	32
880	930	30
870	910	27
860	910	27
850	900	26
840	890	24
830	880	23
820	870	21
810	850	19
800	850	19
790	830	16
780	820	15
770	810	13
760	800	12
750	790	11
740	770	9
730	760	8
720	750	7
710	750	7
700	740	6
690	720	4
680	710	3
670	700	3
660	690	2
650	690	2

If you are scoring under a 650 on the PSAT, your score is likely in the 1st percentile or lower.

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion – Predict Your SAT Score

If you are not happy with your predicted SAT score based on your initial PSAT result, do not fret!

Many teens take their maiden PSAT voyage during their sophomore year or in the first semester of their junior year. They do so right in the middle of learning important academic concepts in the 10th or 11th grade classroom—essential literary and mathematical material that is tested by the College Board. Therefore, it is little surprise that research shows that students tend to improve their score as they take the PSAT/SAT multiple times.

Repeat SAT-takers see an average gain of roughly 40 points. Those who study utilizing free resources see even greater gains. For example, one study found that students who utilized the Khan Academy for 20 hours saw an average SAT gain of 115 points.

Rest assured that no matter what your PSAT score is today, hard work, test prep, and continued learning in the academic classroom can put you on a pathway toward earning the score of your dreams.

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Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).