Hi everyone, I recently found out that I got a 900 on my PSAT. Is this a good score for a high school junior or should I be focusing on improving it more?
Will this PSAT score help me get some sort of recognition or scholarship?
9 months ago
Hello! A 900 PSAT score is a decent score, but it is below the average PSAT score for juniors, which is around 960 according to the College Board. So, there is definitely room for improvement. Don't worry, though; since this is a practice test, it just means you have some areas to work on before you take the SAT.
To answer your second question, the 900 PSAT score will not qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship consideration. Students who score in the top 1% on the PSAT (around 1400+ depending on your state) are named National Merit Semifinalists, and only those students are eligible for the scholarship competition.
Moving forward, focusing on improving your score is an excellent idea, especially if you plan to take the SAT in the future. Try to identify your weak areas and work on them. You can use resources like Khan Academy or CollegeVine's SAT Prep Course to gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered on the SAT and find helpful practice materials.
Remember that standardized testing is just one part of your college application, so don't let it consume too much of your focus. Continue to excel academically (maintaining a strong GPA), participate in extracurricular activities, and start thinking about your college essay when the time comes. Good luck!
9 months ago
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A “good” PSAT score depends on your goals. A PSAT score at the national average (50th percentile) will get students into some four-year colleges. This score would be about 920 for high school sophom*ores and 1010 for juniors. However, reaching the 90th percentile (1350) increases scholarship chances.
Is 900 OK on PSAT? ›
A combined score of 900 is the 31st percentile, (students scored higher than 31% of the people but unfortunately, 69% of the students scored higher). On the other end of the spectrum, a score of 1220 is the 85th percentile (students scored higher than 85% of the people and only 15% of the students scored higher).
What's a good PSAT score for a 9th grader? ›
What's a Good Score for Freshmen on the PSAT 8/9?
| PSAT 8/9 Percentile | EBRW Score | Composite Score |
|---|
| 99% (Top) | 620 | 1230+ |
| 90% (Excellent) | 530 | 1040 |
| 75% (Good) | 460-470 | 910-930 |
| 50% (Okay) | 390-400 | 790-800 |
A 990 on the PSAT places you around the 50th percentile, meaning you scored as well as or better than half of the students who took the exam. It's a pretty good starting point already, and many students see significant improvement by the time they take the SAT with focused practice and preparation.
What is a good enough PSAT score? ›
The average PSAT/NMSQT score is about 920. A score between 1210 and 1520 puts you in the top 10% of test takers. The PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT are very similar tests, so your score on the PSAT/NMSQT can give you an idea of how you'll do when you take the SAT.
What is a top 1% PSAT score? ›
Of course, a perfect score is a good score! A perfect score on the PSAT is a 1520. If you're in 10th grade and you score between 1420 and 1520, you're in the top 1% of all test takers (99th percentile). If you're in 11th grade, anything between a 1490 and 1520 places you in the top 1%.
What is a bad score on the PSAT? ›
What's a Good 2020 PSAT Score Based on Percentiles?
| PSAT Percentile | Math Score | TOTAL Score |
|---|
| 50th (Good/Average) | 490-500 | 1010 |
| 25th (Below Average) | 420-430 | 860 |
| 10th (Poor) | 380-390 | 750 |
| 1st (Poorest) | 300 and below | 630 and below |
3 more rowsThe PSAT 8/9 tests your child's reading, writing, and math skills. The questions on the PSAT 8/9 are grade-appropriate for eighth and ninth graders. PSAT 8/9 scores aren't sent to colleges. Schools choose when the PSAT 8/9 is offered.
Is a 930 on PSAT bad? ›
The average score earned on the PSAT is about 920, and a “perfect” score on the PSAT would be the maximum score of 1520.
What is a 1000 score on the PSAT? ›
What's a Good PSAT Score for a Junior?
| PSAT Percentile (11th Grade) | R&W Score | Composite Score |
|---|
| 99th (Top) | 730 | 1480 |
| 90th (Excellent) | 660 | 1290-1300 |
| 75th (Good) | 590-600 | 1140-1150 |
| 50th (OK) | 510-520 | 1000-1020 |
A 950 on the PSAT is slightly below the national average, which is around a 1000 for juniors.
Is 970 a bad PSAT score? ›
Take a deep breath and don't worry, a 970 on the PSAT is a solid start and gives you a benchmark for where you are. The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320 to 1520. Your score means you're above the 50th percentile nationally, which is a good milestone.
Is 1100 a bad PSAT score? ›
The PSAT score is based on two scores: a Reading and Writing section and a Math section. Each section is scored between 160-760, adding up to an overall score between 320-1520. A score in the 75th percentile is considered the benchmark — usually an 1150 overall.
Is 850 a bad PSAT score? ›
A PSAT score of 990–1000 is considered “good” for a freshman and will land your student in the top 25% of 9th-grade test takers. A PSAT score of 850–860 is considered decent and will place your 9th grader in the 50th percentile range. To reach the top 10%, a student needs a score of 1110 or above.
Is 960 a bad PSAT score? ›
The average PSAT 10 score is around 920. A score between 1210 and 1520 places you in the top 10% of test takers. The PSAT 10 and the SAT are very similar tests, and your score on the PSAT 10 can give you an idea of how you'll do when you take the SAT.
Is 980 a bad PSAT score? ›
Based on that reasoning, a good PSAT score for a sophom*ore is a composite score higher than 1060, an OK score is one higher than 920, and an excellent score is anything higher than 1180.
Is 950 a bad PSAT score? ›
It's not a bad score, but there's definitely room for improvement, especially if you're aiming for more selective colleges. To put your score in perspective, try comparing it to percentiles. A 950 score would be around the 37th percentile for juniors, meaning you scored higher than about 37% of test-takers.
Is 900 a good SAT score? ›
A 900 on the SAT is indeed considered below average when looking at the scores of students accepted to most colleges and universities.
