In 2018-19, more students took a PSAT-related assessment than ever before. The assessments include the PSAT 8/9, the PSAT 10, and the PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT 8/9 saw the largest increase in test takers, with almost 13% more students taking the PSAT 8/9 in 2018-19 than in 2017-18.
When students take a PSAT-related assessment, they unlock many benefits that help them overcome barriers to college. In addition to Official SAT Practice, AP Potential, and Career Finder, these benefits include access to programs offering over $350 million in college scholarships.
Participation
- Over 6 million students took at least 1 PSAT-related assessment in 2018-19, up from 5.9 million in 2017-18.
- About 4.26 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 in the 2018-19 school year, compared to 4.31 million in 2017-18.
- Almost 1.8 million students took the PSAT 8/9 in the 2018-19 school year, up from 1.6 million in 2017-18.
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 1,747,071 | |
| Female | 906,324 | 52% |
| Male | 836,808 | 48% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 12,470 | 1% |
| Asian | 151,155 | 9% |
| Black/African American | 177,583 | 10% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 472,020 | 27% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 4,405 | 0% |
| White | 784,940 | 45% |
| Two or More Races | 72,894 | 4% |
| No Response | 71,604 | 4% |
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 2,278,505 | |
| Female | 1,149,890 | 50% |
| Male | 1,119,431 | 49% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 25,221 | 1% |
| Asian | 164,766 | 7% |
| Black/African American | 242,704 | 11% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 620,104 | 27% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 6,493 | 0% |
| White | 878,379 | 39% |
| Two or More Races | 92,009 | 4% |
| No Response | 248,829 | 11% |
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 1,040,124 | |
| Female | 512,415 | 49% |
| Male | 524,623 | 50% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 12,722 | 1% |
| Asian | 56,383 | 5% |
| Black/African American | 116,022 | 11% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 286,730 | 28% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 2,548 | 0% |
| White | 363,430 | 35% |
| Two or More Races | 36,327 | 3% |
| No Response | 165,962 | 16% |
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 690,084 | |
| Female | 340,634 | 49% |
| Male | 345,311 | 50% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 7,975 | 1% |
| Asian | 32,906 | 5% |
| Black/African American | 81,457 | 12% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 187,867 | 27% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 1,822 | 0% |
| White | 210,965 | 31% |
| Two or More Races | 20,332 | 3% |
| No Response | 146,760 | 21% |
Performance
In 2018-19, students in grades 8–10 who took the PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10 met both grade-level benchmarks at higher rates than in 2017-18, indicating that they were on track to be ready for college.
| Grade | Test | Mean Total Score | Met Both Benchmarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th grade | PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 | 1013 | 43% |
| 10th grade | PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 | 932 | 40% |
| 9th grade | PSAT 8/9 | 874 | 41% |
| 8th grade | PSAT 8/9 | 815 | 35% |
Score Ranges and Benchmarks
The score ranges for the PSAT-related assessments vary slightly, but the total score for each test is the sum of scores for the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section and the Math section.
Students who meet both grade-level benchmarks are on track to be ready for entry-level college courses without remediation when they graduate high school. Grade-level benchmarks reflect expected student growth toward SAT benchmarks from one grade to the next.
| Grade | Test | Score Range | ERW Benchmark | Math Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th grade | PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 | 320–1520 | 460 | 510 |
| 10th grade | PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 | 320–1520 | 430 | 480 |
| 9th grade | PSAT 8/9 | 240–1440 | 410 | 450 |
| 8th grade | PSAT 8/9 | 240–1440 | 390 | 430 |
Performance Details by Grade
| Mean Total Score | Met Both Benchmarks | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 1013 | 43% |
| Female | 1017 | 42% |
| Male | 1010 | 45% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 871 | 17% |
| Asian | 1158 | 70% |
| Black/African American | 889 | 19% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 926 | 26% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 917 | 23% |
| White | 1074 | 56% |
| Two or More Races | 1060 | 52% |
| No Response | 893 | 23% |
| Mean Total Score | Met Both Benchmarks | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 932 | 40% |
| Female | 943 | 40% |
| Male | 922 | 39% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 821 | 16% |
| Asian | 1080 | 70% |
| Black/African American | 836 | 19% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 865 | 25% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 864 | 24% |
| White | 999 | 54% |
| Two or More Races | 976 | 48% |
| No Response | 852 | 24% |
| Mean Total Score | Met Both Benchmarks | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 874 | 41% |
| Female | 886 | 42% |
| Male | 862 | 40% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 790 | 21% |
| Asian | 1006 | 69% |
| Black/African American | 787 | 20% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 820 | 28% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 816 | 28% |
| White | 942 | 57% |
| Two or More Races | 915 | 49% |
| No Response | 830 | 32% |
| Mean Total Score | Met Both Benchmarks | |
|---|---|---|
| All Test Takers | 815 | 35% |
| Female | 825 | 35% |
| Male | 806 | 34% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 769 | 23% |
| Asian | 944 | 65% |
| Black/African American | 745 | 17% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 769 | 23% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | 773 | 25% |
| White | 877 | 50% |
| Two or More Races | 851 | 42% |
| No Response | 793 | 30% |
Get Detailed Results
Scholarships
The College Board connects students to scholarship opportunities through partnerships with National Merit Scholarship Corporation, cosponsor of the PSAT/NSMQT, and 19 other organizations.
National Merit Scholarship Program
The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for entry into the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. 100% of their scholarship recipients are PSAT/NMSQT test takers.
Other Partners
Our scholarship partners work with us each year to make college possible for more students. These partners use PSAT/NMSQT and/or PSAT 10 data to identify and recruit qualified students who agreed to participate in the free Student Search Service.
In 2019, we expanded the pool of available scholarships by $6 million through new partnerships with the Boettcher Foundation and Children of Fallen Patriots. Students who take the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 now have access to over $350 million in college scholarships.
The following 2019 highlights are in addition to the benefits students received through National Merit Scholarship Corporation:
In addition to National Merit Scholarship Corporation, these partners awarded scholarships to PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 takers in 2019:
- Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars
- Cobell Scholarship (Awarded by Indigenous Education, Inc.)
- Coca Cola Scholars Foundation
- George Snow Scholarship Fund
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Horatio Alger Association
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
- The Jackie Robinson Foundation
- Ron Brown Scholarship Program
- TheDream.US
- United Negro College Fund
- Washington State Opportunity Scholarships