PSAT 8/9 Practice Test
Study tips to improve PSAT 8/9 scores:
- Use practice tests to determine what to study and help guide your study plan. A PSATÂ 8/9Â Practice test can reduce your study time and improve scores.
- Study one topic at a time.
- Donât just âstudy readingâ. Study specifically how to identify main ideas or evaluate an argument. The more specific the topic, the better.
- Use PSATÂ practice tests to establish a baseline score and measure your improvement as you study.
- Smart Edition Academy has several options like our online course if you need more help.
PSAT 8/9 Online Course
If you want to give your student the best chance for scoring high then the Smart Edition PSAT 8/9 course will provide all the material and resources necessary to succeed on the test, including lesson modules, video lessons, timed practice tests, and flashcards.
What is the PSAT 8/9?
The PSAT 8/9 is available for 8th and 9th graders to begin preparing and practicing for the PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT. The PSAT 8/9 is offered by the College Board and similar to the PSAT NMSQT and the SAT, the test is administered at certain times of the year, commonly in autumn and spring.
Overview of the PSAT 8/9
The main purpose of the test is to help students identify subjects and topics  they can work to improve as they go through high school. Based on the PSAT 8/9 scores Students might plan to take AP courses to challenge themselves on those subjects or just continue to study on their own time until they feel more comfortable and ready for the SAT. Students will have an opportunity in both 10th and 11th grade to take either the PSAT 10 or the PSAT/NMSQT to evaluate where they stand in preparation for the SAT.Â
How Is PSAT 8/9 Scored?
PSAT 8/9 test takers can get scores between 240 and 1440. The total score is a combination of the two section scores: evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW) which is on a scale of 120-720 and math which runs on the same scale of 120-720.
A students score is only intended to be a benchmark for where you stand on that day and how you might plan your coursework throughout high school to improve in those subject areas.
What Subjects are on PSAT 8/9
There are two sections on the PSAT 8/9: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. Students taking the PSAT 8/9 will be evaluated on reading, writing, language, and math.
The exam’s math section includes problem-solving and data analysis, complex equations, and algebra. Students can use a calculator on some parts of the math section, but not all of it.
The PSAT 8/9 reading subtest includes several passages for the test taker to answer questions regarding how an author supports their argument or claim, main idea, supporting details, context clues, multiple meaning words, analysis, tone, theme, hypothesis, visual data integration, and evaluation.
Lastly, on the writing and language subtest of the test, students will be tested on their grammar, conventions of standard English, and expression of ideas.
How To Study with PSAT 8/9 Practice Tests
PSAT 8/9 practice tests are one of the best resources you can use to study for the PSAT 8/9 for several reasons.
The first reason is that you want to become familiar with the test format so you have an understanding of the types of questions that will be asked and what topics within each subject will be covered on the test.
PSAT 8/9 practice tests will help provide practice for a really important aspect of the test which is the fact that itâs timed. Completing the test within the given time can be a challenge for many students especially if this is one of the first timed tests they will take. The last thing you want to do is to leave questions unanswered because you ran out of time.
When you initially take a practice test you can start to identify subjects or topics that take you more time and are slowing you down. For a lot of students this could be reading passages or for math it could be word problems. Once you know where you are struggling you can make sure to really practice those areas to become faster.
Any good PSAT 8/9 practice test will provide you with a score report when you finish that will break down each question on the test by the specific topic it relates to within that subject. This is extremely helpful because it shows you what your strengths and weaknesses are by topic for each subject. Once you understand your weak areas you can then focus your future studying on those ares.
For an 8th or 9th grader you might also take this information into account when you decide which courses you want to take in high school, aiming to take courses that will focus on those weak topics.
PSAT 8/9 Math Test Prep
To properly prepare for the PSAT math section, students should start by taking practice tests and becoming familiar with the material they will be tested on.Â
Students should first take a free math PSAT 8/9 practice test to determine their strengths and weaknesses. After taking the practice test, students and parents can review the diagnostic results to determine what were the strengths and weaknesses.
The math section of the PSAT 8/9 focuses on algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, and complex equations. Since it is a broad spectrum of topics, narrowing down the focus by focusing on weak areas will allow for more effective and efficient study sessions.
It’s a good idea to take a lot of practice tests throughout the preparation period and study from the practice questions. With the math section in particular, it is testing a skill, so the more active practice a student can get, the better they will do on test day.
A good PSAT 8/9 math practice test will have questions very similar to the test, which should include ratios, proportions, percentages, metric conversions, statistics, data analysis, 1 step linear equations, 2 step linear equations, and algebraic expressions, and more.
PSAT 8/9 Reading Test Prep
While it may sound strange to study reading, it is recommended to approach the reading subtest of the PSAT 8/9 with just as much preparation because it can be tricky. Many students focus on the exam’s math and language arts portion and neglect practicing their reading skills.
The best way to prepare for the reading section is by taking a PSAT 8/9 reading practice test. By taking a practice test first, the test taker can determine how they do in each topic being evaluated within the reading section.
Itâs important to continue taking reading practice tests after using PSAT 8/9 reading test prep materials such as online courses, flashcards, and books to review concepts. As a student continue’s to study, practice tests can help students determine where they are still struggling and what topics need more focus in study sessions. By actively practicing reading passages and answering questions, students not only get a better feel for the real test, but they increase the likelihood of performing better on the test.
Practice test questions and online courses should review concepts such as the main idea, supporting details, authorâs purpose, point of view, multiple meaning words, context clues, theme, tone, mood, and evaluation of an argument.
PSAT 8/9 Writing Test Prep
The writing and Language Arts subtest has several passages for students to answer multiple choice questions. The passages are based on various topics from social studies, history, or humanities. The passages also vary in format and type. For example, students will encounter narrative and informative or argumentative passages.
Students should take practice tests to actively practice their ability to detect the expression of ideas from text, identifying sentence structure, grammar, word usage, capitalization, and punctuation.
Students who take timed practice tests will also have the advantage of knowing what the test feels like, how much time they have for each section, and get accustomed to swiftly reviewing the passages and correctly answering the questions.
How to Improve PSAT 8/9 Test Scores
One way to improve for PSAT scores is by taking a diagnostic practice test and studying your weaknesses in each subject.
Another way to improve your score is by getting an online study course that can be accessed on a phone, computer, or tablet at any time. Get study materials that align with their learning style.
For example, an online PSAT 8/9 course with videos and explanations for visual learners is a great option. Itâs also helpful to have study materials with lots of practice tests and extended answer explanations to study from.
Wondering what scoring range you need for national merit scholarship PSAT score? We got that covered too.