2015-2016

Bainbridge High School Counseling Center

How to Interpret PSAT/NMSQT Scores:

Ok – who’s ready for change? We knew the redesigned SAT and PSAT would require some additional understanding and now that time has (finally!) arrived. Please use the following information to help you read through your PSAT results.

The first thing to remember is the PSAT isn’t used for college admissions, but high scores can possibly earn you scholarship dollars, including a National Merit Scholarship. Your score report will include the National Merit Scholarship Corporation Selection Index, which is calculated by doubling the sum of your Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Test scores (which are different from the section scores, see below). NMSC uses the Selection Index as an initial screen of the large number of entrants (juniors only) to its National Merit Scholarship Program.

Along with reviewing your enclosed score report (please double check that it’s yours!), you should create a College Board account by going to studentscores.collegeboard.org in order to have free SAT Practice, have the ability to register for the SAT, and to access more comprehensive, in-depth feedback on yourtest performance.

So, how do you access your online PSAT/NMSQT scores and reports?

1)Log in to an existing College Board account or create a new one

2)Once logged in, select PSAT/NMSQT Scores OR Use “Missing Scores” to locate scores. (If you are being asked for an access code, you can find it on the front cover of your paper score report.)

Scoring

The PSAT is scored on the same rubric, but a slightly different scale, as the real SAT. While the new SAT is scored on a scale of 400–1600, the PSAT is scored on a scale of 320–1520. PSAT scores are a good predictor for how you may score on the SAT, which is important for college admissions.

There are two sections on the test- Evidence-Based Readingand Writing and Math. These mirror the redesigned SAT and are on new scales ranging from a 160 to 760 (instead of 200 to 800). These scores are based on percentiles, not total correct answers, so it’s important to understand your scores.

(Please visit for more information and helpful videos.)

Scores / What is it? / What is this important?
TOTAL SCORE /
  • Sum of your two section scores
  • PSAT Score range: 320–1520
/
  • Total score can help you predict how you may score on the SAT.
  • Use the percentile to see how you rank against other test-takers.
  • High scores and percentiles earn National Merit recognition.

READING & WRITING SCORE /
  • 1 of 2 section scores
  • PSAT Score range: 160—760
/
  • See which section you’re strong in and where you might need more prep.
  • Use the percentile to see how you rank against other test-takers.

MATH SCORE /
  • 1 of 2 section scores
  • PSAT Score range: 160—760

*Table adapted from The Princeton Review

Your score report will also include test scores, cross-test scores, and sub-scores — all of which will give you better insight into your performance.

PSAT: 320-1520 Scale

PSAT: 160-760 Scale

PSAT: 8-38 Scale

PSAT: 1-15 Scale

But what do those scores really mean?

Score / What it really is
CROSS-TEST SCORES / History/Social Science Score / Tests your reading comprehension NOT your recall of historical dates and events
Science Score / Can you read charts, tables, and graphs?
SUBSCORES / Command of Evidence / Matching answers on the reading test to specific lines from the passage
Relevant Words in Context / Matching words from a passage to their definitions
Expression of Ideas / Can you revise sentences to make them better?
Standard English Conventions / Grammar and punctuation
Heart of Algebra / Algebraic expressions, equations, and word problems
Problem Solving and Data Analysis / Interpretation of mathematical expressions, graphs, and data
Passport to Advanced Mathematics / Higher-level math questions like functions and quadratic equations

*Table adapted from The Princeton Review

The College and Career Readiness Benchmarks (underneath section score on your score report) indicate your areas of strength (shown in green) and areas where you need to improve (yellow and red). For example, getting green in Heart of Algebra and red in Passport to Advanced Mathematics could show that you need more advanced math practice. The score report will also show the correct answers, the answers you gave, and the difficulty level of each question. To dig even deeper into what your scores say, utilize “Next Steps” to further uncover your areas of strength and areas you need to improve. You will also see a message about your potential for success in AP courses based on your scores.

What to do after one digests the score report?

Thanks to College Board’s partnership with Khan Academy, students will be able to link their PSAT scores to practice materials which will support skill-building across tests. Although this is primarily targeted to the SAT, the similarity between the redesigned SAT and the ACT should help students prepare more efficiently for both tests.

Khan Academy is offering official free SAT practice. Students will have access to thousands of SAT test questions and four full-length SATs. SAT practice can be accessed on a computer or by using the Daily SAT Practice app or Khan Academy app on any mobile device. In addition, Khan Academy will create personalized learning plans for each student based on their test performance. By linking the College Board and Khan Academy accounts, all SAT “suite” results can be sent to customize practice using actual results.

In order to link one’s College Board account to Khan Academy, a student must:

1) Log in or create a Khan Academy account:

2) When prompted, agree to link Khan Academy and College Board accounts. Students will then be directed to collegeboard.org

3) Sign in or create a College Board account

4) When prompted, hit “Send” to authorize account linking (at the bottom right corner of the screen)

5) Students may then start working on Official SAT practice through Khan Academy

When should students sign up to take the SAT?

BHS Counselors recommend juniors take the new SAT Reasoning Test in March, May, or June. If students also plan to take the SAT Subject Test then the Reasoning Test can be taken in May and the Subject Test(s) in June. All testing should be completed by December of the senior year.

*** If you would like further assistance in interpreting scores, BHS counselors have scheduled two sessions in the BHS Library: Thursday, February 4th, at 8 AM and Friday, February 5th, at 8 AM. ***