The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and the real deal SAT are more or less similar in content. They test a student’s math and English reading and writing aptitude. They differ, however, in terms of the scoring system used. The SAT is scored on a 1600-point scale, while the PSAT’s scale only goes up to 1520. The difference might seem negligible, but it means that the same score between the two tests has vastly different connotations. Take a look at the following score conversion chart to see what your or your child’s PSAT score says about the predicted SAT score:

PSAT To SAT Score Conversion Chart

PSAT Score	Predicted SAT Score
400	630
410	640
420	650
430	650
440	660
450	670
460	680
470	690
480	700
490	700
500	710
510	720
520	730
530	740
540	750
550	760
560	760
570	770
580	780
590	790
600	800
610	810
620	810
630	820
640	830
650	840
660	850
670	860
680	870
690	870
700	880
710	890
720	900
730	910
740	920
750	920
760	930
770	940
780	950
790	960
800	970
810	970
820	980
830	990
840	1000
850	1010
860	1020
870	1030
880	1030
890	1040
900	1050
910	1060
920	1070
930	1080
940	1080
950	1090
960	1100
970	1110
980	1120
990	1130
1000	1140
1010	1140
1020	1150
1030	1160
1040	1170
1050	1180
1060	1190
1070	1190
1080	1200
1090	1210
1100	1220
1110	1230
1120	1240
1130	1240
1140	1250
1150	1260
1160	1270
1170	1280
1180	1290
1190	1300
1200	1300
1210	1310
1220	1320
1230	1330
1240	1340
1250	1350
1260	1350
1270	1360
1280	1370
1290	1380
1300	1390
1310	1400
1320	1410
1330	1410
1340	1420
1350	1430
1360	1440
1370	1450
1380	1460
1390	1460
1400	1470
1410	1480
1420	1490
1430	1500
1440	1510
1450	1510
1460	1520
1470	1530
1480	1540
1490	1550
1500	1560
1510	1570
1520	1570

Source: Scholarships360.org

Scores, however, are not where the differences between the PSAT and the SAT end. For one thing, the PSAT is actually longer than the New Digital SAT — 2 hours and 45 minutes compared to 2 hours and 15 minutes. For another, the PSAT serves a double purpose as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), in which top PSAT scorers are eligible for merit-based aid and recognition from The College Board for their academic achievement. 

Having National Merit Scholarship recognition on your college application is a green flag to admissions officers, as it indicates you didn’t have to work quite as hard as your peers for your (presumably) stellar SAT scores. It goes to show that you shouldn’t write off the PSAT as inconsequential. While your PSAT score is not reported to colleges, you should still go into your PSAT experience with as much expert preparation as possible. And once you wind up with a PSAT score, use it as a benchmark (after you convert it, of course) for how well you’ll do on the SAT. If you’re unsatisfied with your predicted score, seek an expert tutor before it’s too late!

(For more information on what constitutes a competitive SAT score for Ivy League admission, check out our blog on the subject.)

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Standardized Test Prep for Elite College Admission

Dr. Fran Bigman, Ivy Coach’s Senior Tutor, has tutored students to secure top SAT scores for over 20 years. She has used an individualized approach to instruction to help students everywhere get into top schools. Getting started with Dr. Bigman well before your child’s PSAT or SAT date is crucial to get them into the best shape possible, thus optimizing their odds of elite college admission.

To get started, complete our complimentary consultation form and indicate your interest in our tutoring services. We will then be in touch.