When PSAT scores come back, most students and their families do one of two things: celebrate if the number looks good or feel deflated if it doesn’t. Either way, all too often, students or their parents file the score away, and then everyone moves on. Not doing anything with that score is a massive missed opportunity.
Your student’s PSAT results are more than a score. They provide a diagnostic snapshot of where a student stands in regard to the skills that will be measured on the SAT. If used strategically, they can help your student build an effective, targeted prep plan.
What the PSAT Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)
The PSAT is part of the SAT Suite of Assessments and measures the same college readiness skills as the SAT. Unlike the SAT, its total score ranges from 320–1520, compared to the 400–1600 on the SAT. The exam is typically administered in the fall to sophomores and juniors. For juniors, it also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Because it is administered so early in high school, most students should view it as a check-in rather than a high-stakes admissions exam. Ultimately, it provides your student with useful information about how well they understand academic concepts and whether they need to learn more about test-taking strategies.
How to Read the Score Report
When your student receives their score, start with the numbers beneath the total score. The current PSAT reports separate section scores for Reading and Writing and Math. Each score ranges from 160–760.
When evaluating these scores, your student shouldn’t focus entirely on how high they are. What is usually more useful to look at is whether there is a meaningful gap between what score they got in each section. After looking at the section scores, it’s important to look beyond just the score. College Board provides score ranges and percentiles that help put a student’s performance in context.
Most importantly, use the results to ask why a student performed the way they did. A lower Math score could reflect unfinished coursework, difficulty with algebra concepts, trouble interpreting data, or simply inefficient pacing.
Ultimately, the scores should act as a signal of what your student is doing well and where they might focus their energy as they prepare for the SAT. Put another way, look at why your student received the score they did, not the score itself.
Common Mistakes Students and Families Make
After students receive their scores, we typically see them make one of four mistakes:
- Assuming a strong PSAT means they don’t need to prepare for the SAT. While a good score is something to be proud of, it isn’t a reason to stop preparing.
- Signing up for a generic prep program before identifying their specific needs.
- Waiting until the beginning of junior year to start preparing to take the PSAT again. (This is specifically detrimental if your student is interested in becoming a National Merit finalist.)
- Focusing only on the total score instead of asking what the results reveal about strengths and weaknesses.
Turning PSAT Results Into a Test Prep Plan
Once your student knows where their gaps are, they decide how to prepare for the SAT efficiently and purposefully.
Start with the highest-impact weakness. If one section is significantly weaker, it doesn’t make sense to split time evenly between the sections. To raise an already high score takes a lot of time, but the return is often only a handful of points. Conversely, devoting time to a weaker subject usually leads to a significant score increase because growth is typically faster.
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Separate content gaps from strategy gaps. A student who doesn’t know how to solve a quadratic equation needs instruction and practice. In contrast, a student who knows the material but consistently runs out of time needs to work on implementing pacing and test-taking strategies. Those are different problems, so your student should create a study plan that specifically addresses them.
Set a realistic target. Think of the PSAT as a baseline. Especially in sophomore year, few students prepare for it, so it’s a pretty accurate reflection of where your student is starting out. Now, look at the SAT ranges for a university your student is interested in attending. Can they realistically reach that score? If so, what improvements to their understanding of content or test-taking strategies will get them there?
Build a timeline. Use the sophomore PSAT as an early starting point for structured preparation before junior year. The PSAT can act as more than a practice for the SAT. It can also serve as practice for how to create a plan for test preparation ahead of the SAT.
Should Your Student Take the SAT Multiple Times If They Really Studied for the PSAT?
The short answer is yes unless they get an exceptionally high score on the first exam. The bulk of students will take the SAT more than once between their junior and senior year. By doing so, students can use their first exam as a way to gather data and apply that to later attempts.
Additionally, some universities superscore the SAT, looking only at the highest section score a student received across multiple test dates. If your student’s dream school is one of these universities, we strongly encourage taking the exam multiple times.
Is Any of This Necessary If My Student Knows They Want to Attend a Test-Optional College?
“Test-optional” doesn’t mean test scores are irrelevant to admissions offices. Because each university gets to set their admissions criteria, strong test scores can still improve a student’s chance of admission, scholarships, or placement in their preferred major.
More importantly, a student who hasn’t prepared doesn’t know how well they could do on the SAT. By starting early and preparing well, students often open up additional opportunities for which universities they can apply to.
Your PSAT Score Is a Starting Point
If your student received their PSAT score, take a look at it together. Together, consider how their scores can serve as a launching pad for a better SAT score.
At The Enrichery, students work with experienced coaches during our pre-SAT prep and 4-month test prep programs. These coaches create a tailored plan to help your student reach their target goal. If you or your student is interested in receiving expert support while preparing for the SAT, contact us today!
