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Last Updated: November 3, 2025
Wondering about the difference between the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) and SAT? While both exams are part of the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments, they serve distinct purposes in a student’s academic journey.
In this guide, we’ll walk through:
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a practice version of the SAT created by the College Board. It’s designed to give students early exposure to standardized testing and help identify areas for improvement before taking the SAT.
There are three types of PSAT tests:
The SAT is a college entrance exam that assesses a student’s readiness for college-level work. Most colleges accept SAT scores as part of their application process. Offered multiple times a year at designated test centers, the SAT is a key benchmark in the application journey.
Since 2024, the SAT has become fully digital—shorter, more adaptive, and streamlined to better measure core academic skills. Students are still tested on Reading & Writing sections along with Math, but the adaptive format makes it a more personalized assessment.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT:
| Feature | PSAT/NMSQT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Score Range | 320–1520 | 400–1600 |
| Math Max Score | 760 | 800 |
| Sections | Reading & Writing, Math | Reading & Writing, Math |
| Length | ~2 hours 14 minutes | ~2 hours 14 minutes |
| Purpose | Practice + National Merit | College Admissions |
| Grade Levels | Grades 10–11 | Grades 11–12 |
| Offered | October only | Multiple dates year-round |
| Difficulty Level | Slightly easier | More advanced |
While both SAT and PSAT are created by the College Board and use the same digital testing platform, the PSAT is not the same as the SAT. Here’s why:
Both exams assess the same fundamental areas: Reading & Writing and Math. However, the SAT includes more advanced material, particularly in math, while the PSAT excludes certain higher-level concepts typically encountered later in high school coursework.
Additionally, both tests now utilize adaptive digital testing. Your performance in the first module affects the difficulty of the second module, providing a customized assessment experience.
While both tests are scored similarly, the PSAT has a lower maximum score. You can estimate your SAT score from your PSAT score by adding roughly 80 points, depending on your progress and prep.
PSAT scores range: 320–1520 (160–760 per section)
SAT scores range: 400–1600 (200–800 per section)
Main difference between SAT and PSAT:
The SAT counts for college admissions, while the PSAT is a practice test and qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
This is intended for eighth and ninth graders – it is a low-stakes exam, as colleges and universities will not see or request these scores. It’s used to help identify areas of study that students may need to work on.
This is intended for tenth graders – and it is also a low-stakes exam. Colleges and universities will not see or request these scores. The PSAT 10 is used to help students become familiar with the types of questions they will see on the SAT and to get a sense of how they might perform on the PSAT/NMSQT.
The PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is usually taken during junior year. This version matters because it’s the entry point into the National Merit Scholarship Program, a prestigious academic competition that can lead to recognition and scholarships.
To qualify, a student’s score must be in the top 50,000 among all test-takers nationwide. From there, the process works in stages:
Taking the PSAT is a smart first step in your testing journey. While it won’t be submitted to colleges, it helps students understand where they stand and how to prepare effectively for the SAT.
At AcceptU, we guide students through PSAT/SAT planning and prep with 1-on-1 support from former admissions officers and expert test prep tutors.
Ready to plan your testing strategy? Book a free consultation with our team today.
The SAT is used for college admissions, and students usually take the official test around junior year. However, the PSAT is a practice test, and Students can begin taking it in Grades 8 and 9.
Ben received a BA from Cornell University and has spent more than 15 years working within education and college preparation. Prior to joining AcceptU, Ben was a long-time teacher with Kaplan, and subsequently built and launched multiple tutoring and test prep programs through Varsity Tutors and Learner.com.
