You’re sitting in a cramped desk, the smell of No. 2 pencils is overwhelming, and you’ve just spent three hours bubbling in circles—or, more likely now, staring at a Bluebook digital interface. Then the big question hits you. What is the PSAT out of, exactly? Most people assume it’s just a "practice" version of the SAT, so it should be out of 1600, right? Not quite. It’s actually out of 1520. It’s a weird number. It feels incomplete, like a song that cuts off right before the final chorus. But there is a very specific, psychometric reason why the College Board capped it there.
If you’re confused, you aren't alone. Every year, millions of high schoolers get their score reports back and squint at the numbers. You see a 1210 or a 1350 and wonder how that actually translates to the "real" SAT. Honestly, the scaling is designed to show you exactly where you would land if you took the SAT on that very same day. It’s not a 1:1 map of the total points, but it is a 1:1 map of your ability level.
The Breakdown: Why 1520 is the Magic Number
The PSAT/NMSQT and the PSAT 10 are both scored on a scale of 320 to 1520. This total is the sum of two major sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math. Each of those is worth between 160 and 760 points. If you do the math—760 plus 760—you get 1520.
Why not 1600?
Because the PSAT is slightly easier than the SAT. The SAT has more difficult questions at the "ceiling" of the test to differentiate between the smartest students and the absolute top-tier geniuses. Since the PSAT doesn't include those most difficult questions, the College Board argues you can't "earn" those extra 80 points. You haven't proven you can handle the hardest SAT-level content yet. So, a 1520 on the PSAT is essentially a "perfect" score for that level, suggesting you are on track for a 1600 on the SAT, but you aren't there yet.
The Section Scores and Test Cross-Scores
It gets deeper. Beneath that 1520, you have "Test Scores" for Reading, Writing and Language, and Math, which range from 8 to 38. These are the raw building blocks. You’ll also see "Cross-Test Scores" for Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. These aren't separate sections you sit for; rather, the College Board tags specific questions throughout the whole exam that relate to those subjects. It’s their way of telling colleges, "Hey, this kid is great at math, but they specifically struggle when that math is buried in a word problem about biology."
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The National Merit Connection
While the score out of 1520 matters for your ego and your college prep, the Selection Index score is what matters for your wallet. This is a different number entirely. It ranges from 48 to 228. This is the number the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) uses to determine who qualifies for those fat scholarship checks.
They calculate it by doubling your Reading and Writing test scores and adding your Math test score. Notice something? They value verbal skills twice as much as math for National Merit qualification. If you are a math whiz who hates reading, this is a tough pill to swallow. You could get a perfect math score, but if your reading score lags, your Selection Index might stay below the cutoff for your state.
Cutoffs change every year. In high-achieving states like New Jersey, California, or Maryland, you usually need a Selection Index around 221 or higher. In other states, it might be 210. It’s a moving target. It’s competitive. It’s honestly a bit stressful for a "practice" test.
Digital vs. Paper: Does the Scale Change?
Since the transition to the Digital PSAT, the way we answer "what is the PSAT out of" hasn't changed numerically, but the experience has. The test is now adaptive. This is huge. Basically, if you do well on the first module of a section, the second module gets harder. If you struggle, it gets easier.
The scoring algorithm handles this behind the scenes. You can't just count the number of questions you got right to figure out your score anymore. A "hard" question is worth more than an "easy" question. This is why two students could both miss five questions, but one gets a 1450 and the other gets a 1400. It depends on which questions they missed and which module they were in.
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Is a "Good" Score Really Out of 1520?
The truth is, most students shouldn't care about the 1520. They should care about percentiles.
If you get a 1150, you might feel mediocre. But a 1150 puts you around the 70th to 75th percentile. You’re doing better than three-quarters of the people who took the test! That’s a win. Colleges don't see your PSAT scores unless you specifically apply for National Merit, so this is purely a benchmark for you.
- 1200-1300: This is a strong, competitive score for most state universities.
- 1300-1450: You’re in the hunt for top-tier schools and potential scholarship money.
- 1450-1520: You are in the top 1% of test-takers nationally.
Why the PSAT 8/9 is Different
If you’re a freshman or eighth grader, you aren't even playing the 1520 game. Your test is out of 1440. Each section is capped at 720. Why? Because you’re younger. The content is easier. The College Board is essentially lowering the ceiling because the test doesn't even touch the high-level algebra or complex rhetorical analysis found on the PSAT/NMSQT. It’s a ladder. You climb from 1440 to 1520 to 1600.
Real Talk: Does the PSAT Actually Matter?
It matters for two things: National Merit and personal data.
If you aren't aiming for a scholarship, the PSAT is a diagnostic tool. Don't let the "out of 1520" number haunt your dreams. Use it to see where you're weak. If your Reading score is a 550 and your Math is a 700, the test is screaming at you: "Stop practicing geometry and start reading some long-form essays!"
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Also, keep in mind that the PSAT is slightly shorter than the SAT. It’s a sprint. The SAT is a marathon. Your 1520-scale score is a predictor, not a guarantee. Some students thrive on the shorter PSAT but crumble during the fourth hour of the actual SAT.
Tactical Steps for Your Score Report
When that email hits your inbox saying your scores are ready, don't just look at the big number and close the tab.
First, log into the College Board portal and look at the "Knowledge and Skills" breakdown. It will tell you exactly which areas—like "Boundaries" in grammar or "Algebra"—you struggled with. This is gold. It’s a free roadmap for your SAT prep.
Second, check your Selection Index. If you’re a junior and that number is above 215, start looking up the historical National Merit cutoffs for your state. You might be looking at a "Commended Student" or "Semifinalist" nod, which looks incredible on a common app.
Third, link your College Board account to Khan Academy. It’s free. It will pull your PSAT data and create a custom practice plan based on the questions you missed. It’s the most efficient way to study because you aren't wasting time on stuff you already know.
Don't sweat the 80 missing points between the PSAT and SAT. They don't exist yet. Focus on the 1520 points in front of you. Take the data, fix the gaps, and use the momentum to crush the actual SAT when it counts.
Next Steps for Success
- Download your full PDF score report: The online dashboard hides the detailed question-level feedback. The PDF is much more thorough.
- Compare your Selection Index: Research your state's National Merit cutoff from the previous year to see if you're in the running for Semifinalist status.
- Identify "Low-Hanging Fruit": Look for sections where you missed "Easy" or "Medium" questions. These are the fastest points to gain back with just a little bit of review.
- Set an SAT Target: Add 50-80 points to your PSAT score to estimate your starting SAT baseline, then set a goal based on the average scores of the colleges on your list.