PSAT Vs SAT: Check Differences and Similarities

PSAT vs SAT: PSAT and SAT are the most identical exams related to higher studies. They are similar because they assess the same knowledge areas of a student with the same question types. However, there is a time difference between the PSAT and SAT. In addition, the PSAT and SAT have slightly different assessment scales. There are some major differences between these two exam modules. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the differences between PSAT and SAT examination modules in detail. 

What is PSAT Or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test?

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test or PSAT is a standard process test that helps students prepare for their upcoming Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT examination to prove their eligibility for scholarships in different foreign colleges. The PSAT exam is also known as the PSAT/NMSQT which is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test is regulated by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Here are some major specifications of the PSAT exam as mentioned below.

• The PSAT exam is available in three major forms including PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT. 
• The exam duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes in total.
• The exam checks the capability of a student by checking reading, writing, and mathematics-related skills.
• The PSAT exam is divided into four major segments including evidence-based reading, writing and language, and mathematics in two types. 
• The Mathematics part is also divided into two different segments including Mathematics – No Calculator and Mathematics – With Calculator.

What is SAT Or Scholastic Aptitude Test?

The Scholastic Aptitude Test is a standard process or examination that tests the skills and knowledge of a student. The SAT exam is a mandatory and important part of the admission process in different undergraduate courses in the United States of America and Canada. SAT score is mandatory for those candidates who have an aspiration to study in Ivy League colleges. The SAT is also accepted in Australia and the United Kingdom. The exam can be divided into two different types including General SAT and SAT subject-specific tests.

Here are some major specifications of the SAT exam as mentioned below.

• The SAT exam is regulated by the College Board. They conducted the exam seven times in the United States of America and four times internationally.
• It is a multiple-choice setup and mostly done on pen and paper. 
• The SAT exam consists of two major sections including Mathematics and EBRW. The EBRW is the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing system.
• The Evidence-Based Reading test has 52 multiple choice questions which have 65 minutes time limit. 
• The writing test of the evidence-based process has 44 multiple-choice questions which have 35 minute time limit.  
• The whole SAT exam is a total of three hours long.
• Each section is scored on a scale which spans between 200 to 800. 
• The highest possible score of the SAT exam is 1600 which has an average score of 1060.

Different Between PSAT and SAT

Here the major differences of PSAT and SAT as mentioned below.

Different Between PSAT and SAT
Purpose	PSAT	SAT
Purpose	The PSAT is a practice test setup for the actual SAT exam.	The SAT exam is a college entrance exam that helps students to earn scholarships from foreign colleges.
Difficulty	The PAST exam is less difficult than the SAT exam.	The SAT exam is hard and majorly known for its complex mathematical problems.
Score Range	The PSAT score is ranged between 320 and 1520.	The SAT exam is scored between 400 to 1600.
Cost	The cost of PSAT is around 18 dollars.	The fee for the SAT exam is around 55 dollars.
Selection Lengths	PSAT Exam Times: Reading – 60 Minutes Writing – 35 Minutes Math Without Calculator – 25 Minutes Math With Calculator – 45 Minutes	SAT Exam Times: Reading – 65 Minutes Writing – 35 Minutes Math Without Calculator – 25 Minutes Math With Calculator – 55 Minutes

SAT Exam – Overview

The Scholastic Assessment Test or SAT is a standard test process that evaluates the eligibility of a high school student for abroad colleges. Here is the detailed overview of SAT exam as mentioned below.

SAT Exam – General Overview
Full-Form	Scholastic Assessment Test
Exam Fees	$117 with essay module, $101 without the essay module
Conducting body	The College Board
Mode	Written
Sections	Reading, Writing and Language, Mathematics, Essay (optional)
Types	General Test, Subject Test
Entrance Exam for	Need for undergraduate programs in countries like the USA, Australia and Canada

PSAT Vs SAT- FAQs

What is the difference between SAT and PSAT?

The PSAT is a practice SAT, usually taken by juniors, whereas the SAT is a college entrance exam. The SAT is slightly more challenging than the PSAT. While the PSAT is scored between 320 and 1520, the SAT is scored between 400 and 1600. It may cost up to $18 to take the PSAT, whereas the fee for taking the SAT is $55.

What grade level is the PSAT?

The PSAT/NMSQT is designed to be grade appropriate for 10th and 11th graders. Some schools offer the PSAT 8/9, which tests the same skills as the PSAT/NMSQT, but in ways that are appropriate for earlier grade levels. Check with your child’s school counselor to see if your school offers the PSAT 8/9.

What is the purpose of PSAT?

The PSAT is “a slightly shorter and slightly easier version of a test kids will be taking their junior and senior year,” explains Jed Applerouth, founder and president of Georgia-based Applerouth Tutoring Services. “It’s a warm-up. It gives students and parents guidance in terms of how they’ll perform on the SAT.”

Is PSAT harder than SAT?

Because the test is meant to cover an additional school year of material, the SAT is a bit harder than the PSAT, particularly in the math section. The math section on the SAT includes more material that students would encounter in trigonometry or precalculus.

Who is eligible for PSAT exam?

Undergraduate candidates can apply for the PSAT exam. Getting high scores in Junior years can make you eligible for the National Merit Scholarship so candidates prefer to give the PSAT in their 11th & 12th grade.

How many attempts for PSAT?

Students are allowed to take the SAT or PSAT as many times as they are offered. Colleges will not accept the PSAT because it does not have the same difficulty as the SAT. When it comes to the SAT, nearly all colleges accept the scores of students who took it more than once.

Is 940 a good 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.