PSAT 8/9 Practice Tests

PSAT 8/9 Test Date 2024

Students can’t register for PSAT8/9 directly through the College Board. Their school or district decides whether or when to offer it. Testing is available from October 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024.

You have to contact your school counselor to sign up for the test. 

Source: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/psat-8-9-test-dates

PSAT 8/9 Test Overview

The purpose of this test is to analyze student’s college readiness as they enter high school. Students will not receive any scholarships, and it will not affect their college application as it is a preparatory exam for the other SAT suite of assessments. In PSAT 8/9 Test, student’s Reading, Writing, and Math skills are assessed. 

Students can get some ideas of the structure, format, and types of questions that they may look at in the upcoming exams. The test-taking mode of PSAT8/9 has changed from a paper-pen version to an online (digital) version. Students can take the PSAT 8/9 test digitally through the Bluebook App.  

PSAT 8/9 Sections

The PSAT 8/9 is divided into two sections: Reading & Writing and Math. It consists of 98 questions and lasts 134 minutes. Most of the questions are multiple-choice, but a few math questions can be answered by typing rather than selecting them. The sections in the PSAT 8/9 are similar to those in the SAT. The only difference is that the SAT has an essay section that is not present in the PSAT 8/9. 

Note: Students can use the Calculator throughout the Math Test.

    4.1 Reading and Writing Section

The Reading and Writing section has 54 questions. It takes 64 minutes to complete. The total time is equally divided into 32 minutes for each module ( Reading module and Writing module). 

It consists of multiple-choice questions requiring students to read, understand, analyze, use the information in the text, and edit it to form clear ideas. 

The subjects in the passages can be literature, history/social studies, the humanities, and science. 

The questions in this section come under four broad categories:

• Craft and structure
• Information and ideas
• Standard English conventions
• Expression of ideas

    4.2 Math Section

The Math section has 44 questions. It is divided into two modules. It takes 70 minutes to complete, and the total time is equally divided into 35 minutes for each module. The toughness of the questions moves from easy to hard across the modules. For this entire Math section, Students can use an acceptable calculator.

This section focuses on algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry. 30% of Math questions are context-based, meaning the students must apply their math skills to solve problems based on real-world scenarios.

The questions in this section come under four broad categories:

• Algebra
• Advanced math
• Problem-solving and data analysis
• Geometry and trigonometry 

PSAT 8/9 Scores

The total score range for PSAT 8/9 is 240–1440.

The score range for each section ( Reading & Writing and Math) is 120–720. 

When evaluating a student’s performance, score ranges are more accurate than exact scores. Based on recent PSAT 8/9 test results, these variations are typically:

• Total Score: can vary by ±40 points
• Reading and Writing Score: can vary by ±20 points
• Math Score: can vary by ±30 points

If students score 500 on the total Score, their actual ability likely falls between 460 and 540. Similarly, a 300 in Reading and Writing would mean their Score could range from 280 to 320, and a 400 in Math would range from 370 to 430.

PSAT 8/9 Preparation Tips & Strategy

• Understand the structure and format of the PSAT 8/9.
• Get familiar with the types of questions asked in the test.
• Prepare a study plan and test prep schedule.
• Practice with the available online resources.
• Prepare short notes to revise.
• Allocate maximum time for the area that needs improvement.
• Always stay in a calm environment while you study.
• Consistently take Practice Tests and solve various worksheets.
• Revise regularly and recollect the concepts to stay in mind. 
• Seeking Online tutoring help is the best option for personalized learning.