How to convert PSAT score to SAT score?

PSAT to SAT Conversion

High school students throughout the US are apprehensive about their college applications and finally put in all their efforts to make it to their dream college. SAT is used as a screening tool in many college applications and helps colleges choose the best students.

Many students are anxious about taking the SATs. One great way to reduce apprehension is by taking the PSAT for preparation. Here’s what you need to know about PSAT vs SAT score differences.

Learn how to convert your PSAT score to SAT score in this blog. Understand the step-by-step process and benefit from Turito’s expert coaching to excel in both exams. With personalized study plans and study resources curated by experts, Turito ensures you are fully prepared for the SAT. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your test preparation more effective. Visit Turito Academy now and pave your way to success!

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT, initially called Pre-SAT, is a test conducted to prepare students for SAT and make them eligible for the National Merit Scholarship, therefore also referred to as NMQST (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). Though PSAT score is not considered in college applications, it provides a good starting point for SAT preparation.

PSAT score can also help predict your SAT score, assuming you don’t put more effort into your preparation. Wondering how do PSAT to SAT conversion? Read on to know more.

PSAT has a score range of 320 to 1520, with 320 being the lowest possible score and 1520 being the highest. The test is divided into scores for Evidence-based Reading, Math, and Writing. The number of correct answers in each section decides the total score on each section. Scores on all 4 sections combine to become the final PSAT score. PSAT score prediction chart is attached below.

What is the SAT?

SAT is a paper-pencil test created and administered by the College Board and is used by most colleges to make admission decisions. The test indicates a student’s college readiness and helps colleges with a common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. Overall, the higher the score on SAT, the more chances of getting into your desired college.

Most high school students take the SAT during the spring of their junior year or the fall of their senior year. The advantage of taking the test in junior year is that students can retake the test in their senior year if they aren’t satisfied with the score and think they can perform better. The test is offered annually in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June.

The test covers 4 main sections and 1 optional section. The 4 main sections include Reading (65 minutes), Writing (35 minutes), Math without Calculator (25 minutes), Math with Calculator (55 minutes), and the optional section is Essay (50 minutes). The score range for each section on the SAT is 200-800. The cumulative score ranges from 400 to 1200.

The test is slightly longer than PSAT and has more questions. The time limit, however, remains the same for both. SAT questions are evidence and context-based to help students focus on real-world situations and apply multi-step problem-solving.

You can also look at our PSAT to SAT Conversion Chart, which is located below. If you want to learn more about the PSAT.

PSAT to SAT Conversion chart

Since PSAT is a practice test for SAT, here’s how you can predict your SAT score through your PSAT score.

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	1040
890	1050
900	1060
910	1070
920	1080
930	1080
940	1080
950	1090
960	1100
970	1110
980	1120
990	1130
1000	1140
1010	1140
1020	1140
1030	1150
1040	1160
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	1520
1460	1530
1470	1540
1480	1550
1490	1560
1500	1570
1510	1570
1520	1570

The same board conducts both exams. While PSAT score prediction helps students understand how well they can score on the SAT without additional preparation, its purpose doesn’t stop there. It’s also used as a qualification test for the National Merit Scholarship.

Generally, the PSAT is conducted a few months before SAT to give students a fair idea of the areas that need improvement. The final SAT score is mentioned on college applications and helps students score admission to their desired college.