SAT vs PSAT: Key Differences You Must Know

PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT and is basically a practice test for the SAT. This is the very reason which makes both these exams quite similar. Both SAT and PSAT test the students for Reading, Writing and Maths skills.

Apart from similarities, there are many differences as well between SAT and PSAT. PSAT is usually taken by juniors as a practice test for SAT whereas SAT is taken as a college entrance exam.

Are you also struggling to understand the differences between SAT and PSAT? If the answer is yes, then this comprehensive blog on SAT vs PSAT will help you greatly. Keep reading further to know more!

About PSAT

Taking the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) s students practice for the SAT and prepare in test-like conditions beforehand. Students can take PSAT three times in total in high school.

Most students take the SAT during their junior year, though some may take it as sophomores. The PSAT, which is a practice test for the SAT, helps students to predict their SAT scores and shows which areas need more focus. Taking the PSAT can improve their SAT preparation significantly.

About SAT

The SAT is a major college entrance exam that many colleges require. Many colleges either accept SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate applications. It helps colleges evaluate a student’s academic strengths and readiness for higher education and serves as a common measure to compare applicants. Each college uses SAT scores differently; top-tier schools often require high scores, while some colleges might not consider them at all. Additionally, strong SAT scores can make you eligible for scholarships based on academic performance.

Key Differences Between SAT and PSAT

When it comes to exam structure and topics covered by the exams, the SAT and PSAT have many similarities. Having said that, there are many differences as well between them in terms of cost, difficulty, frequency, duration and scores. Below we have discussed these differences in detail.

• Frequency of the 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.

• PSAT vs SAT Difficulty

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:

• Cost of the Tests

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. The table below will provide the breakdown of this cost:

Some of the other fees associated with the SAT tests are:  

• PSAT vs SAT Scores

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.

To give you a better clarity, we have mentioned details about SAT and PSAT score conversion and percentile below: