The 2015 PSAT/NMSQT
From October 2015 onwards, the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) format will change to match that of the redesigned SAT. We’ve covered some of the SAT changes already, but today we’re going to provide a breakdown of how the new PSAT differs from the old PSAT. We’re also going to look at how the new and old PSATs compare with their respective SATs.
The updated SAT format isn’t the only change coming to the PSAT. The College Board also plans to offer a version of the PSAT aimed at 8th and 9th graders. The details of this exam haven’t been released yet, but we’ll be sure to cover them when as they are.
Old vs. New PSAT: Length of Time and Number of Questions
| Old PSAT
|
New PSAT | ||||
| Types of Questions | Allotted Time | Number of Questions | Types of Questions | Allotted Time | Number of Questions |
| Critical
Reading |
50 | 48 | Reading | 60 | 47 |
| Writing | 30 | 39 | Writing and Language | 35 | 44 |
| Math
|
50 | 38 | Math | 70 | 48 |
| Total | 2 hours,
10 minutes |
125
|
Total | 2 hours,
45 minutes |
139 |
Old PSAT vs. Old SAT
| Old PSAT
|
Old SAT | |||
| Types of Questions | Allotted Time | Number of Questions | Allotted Time | Number of Questions |
| Critical
Reading |
50 | 48 | 70 | 67 |
| Writing
|
30 | 39 | 60 | 49 |
| Math
|
50 | 38 | 70 | 54 |
| Essay
|
N/A | N/A | 25 | 1 |
| Total | 2 hours,
15 minutes |
125
|
3 hours,
45 minutes |
171
|
New PSAT vs. New SAT
| New PSAT
|
New SAT | |||
| Types of Questions | Allotted Time | Number of Questions | Allotted Time | Number of Questions |
| Reading
|
60 | 47 | 65 | 52 |
| Writing and Language | 35 | 44 | 35 | 44 |
| Math
|
70 | 48 | 80 | 58 |
| Essay
(optional) |
N/A | N/A | 50 | 1 |
| Total | 2 hours,
45 minutes |
139
|
3 hours (no essay);
3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay) |
154
(155 with essay) |
As you can see, the new PSAT is a much more accurate representation of the new SAT than the old PSAT was of the old SAT. In order to keep the total time down, the old PSAT cut out a large number of questions. The new PSAT omits a comparatively small number of Reading and Math questions, presumably to keep the exam time under three hours. Neither version offers students the opportunity to take the SAT Essay.
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