Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (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. This exam is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test is regulated by
the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
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.
DIFFERENCES
Frequency of Tests - Students can take the PSAT up to three times in high school, but it’s only offered once a year in October. In contrast, there’s no limit to the number of times you can take the SAT, which is available several times a year: August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. To take the SAT, you need to register on the College Board website and usually take it on a weekend, though some schools offer it on weekdays. For the PSAT, you register through your school and take the test during a school day.
Difficulty Level - The PSAT is a bit easier than the SAT because it’s designed as a practice test. It helps students become familiar with the SAT’s subject matter and test format, serving as a useful introduction to what they can expect on the actual SAT.
The SAT features more advanced content than the PSAT, as it expects students to have learned more by the time they take it. Students take the PSAT earlier in high school, and the expectation is that they will advance academically and be better prepared for the more challenging SAT later.
Duration - The duration of both the PSAT and SAT are the same, in the SAT, the exam duration of both sections is divided into two equal-length modules. The table below contains an overview of the exam structure and duration of the SAT and PSAT:
Section | PSAT | SAT |
Reading and Writing | 64 minutes, 54 questions | 64 (two 32-minute modules), 54 questions |
Math | 70 minutes, 44 questions | 70 (two 35-minute modules), 44 questions |
Cost of the Test - The cost of SAT is usually higher as compared to the PSAT. Current PSAT fees in India is around INR 1157. Whereas current SAT exam fee in India is around INR 10,991
Score Difference - The PSAT is scored between 320 and 1520, while the SAT ranges from 400 to 1600. PSAT scores are roughly aligned with SAT scores, so a 1250 on the PSAT is like a 1250 on the SAT. However, since the SAT is more challenging, a perfect PSAT score doesn’t guarantee a perfect SAT score. Generally, you’ll need to score about 50-70 points higher on the SAT to achieve the same percentile ranking as on the PSAT. For example, a 1460 on the PSAT might place you in the 99th percentile, but the same score on the SAT might place you in the 96th percentile.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, while both the PSAT and SAT are standardized tests administered by the College Board, they serve as varied purposes and differ in several key areas. Targeting earlier high school students getting ready for the more demanding SAT, the PSAT, mostly intended as a practice test for the SAT, is presented once a year and is usually less tough. It lets kids evaluate their academic strengths and become acquainted with the test structure. Conversely, the SAT is a crucial component of college applications especially for Ivy League colleges and is offered several times year. Ultimately, the PSAT is a useful tool for practice and scholarship eligibility, while the SAT is a key determinant in college admissions. Students often take the PSAT as a stepping stone, with the goal of improving their scores for the more challenging SAT in the future.
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