Why buy a bunch of PSAT practice tests when you can find them online for free? To make your search as easy as possible, I've compiled all the best PSAT practice tests and sample questions available online.
Read on for a link to digital PSAT practice tests, downloadable official PSAT practice test PDFs, and bonus SAT practice tests.
Let's get right to it with the first official PSAT practice test PDF for you to download.
Official Practice Tests for the PSAT
The PSAT went digital in spring 2023, and with that shift came a new test format with some major changes to the content. This new change means that there aren’t a whole lot of updated PSAT practice materials available just yet.
The College Board currently has two full-length practice PSATs for free in the Bluebook App. We recommend taking practice tests in the same environment and format you’ll take the real test in, because you’ll get more familiar and comfortable as you practice. This is the best resource out there so far for practice questions for the PSAT now that it’s delivered digitally and with new content.
However, you can download and print off official practice tests for additional prep too. Just know that practice PSATs in a paper format won’t prep you for the digital testing environment and may differ in length, structure, and content.
Currently, there are two official paper practice PSATs provided by the College Board:
- Official PSAT Practice Test 1 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations
- Official PSAT Practice Test 2 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations
Practice makes perfect, so keep spinning those practice tests.
Practice Tests for the Old (Pre-2023) PSAT
You can also use older practice tests to amplify your prep as long as you know how the PSAT changed in 2023. For example, the old test had 3 sections: Math, Reading, and Writing and Language. Now the PSAT only has 2 sections: the Reading and Writing and the Math. You can still get great practice from older practice tests as long as you can navigate them with the new changes in mind.
There are two official (but outdated, since the 2023 update) PSAT practice tests available:
Official PSAT Practice Test 1 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations
Official PSAT Practice Test 2 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations
Test-prep company Ivy Global has also made their version of a PSAT practice test PDF available on their website. Keep in mind that these are not official College Board questions and they are not modeled after the new digital PSAT test format. Although they resemble PSAT questions and are useful practice, they're not an exact representation of what you'll encounter on test day.
As time goes on, more and more practice materials specific to the current version of the PSAT will be released. For now, you can use a combination of the above resources, older PSAT practice tests, and official SAT practice questions to prep effectively.
But wait, there's more!
Practice Tests and Sample Questions for the SAT
In addition to the digital practice PSAT, there are also six practice SATs in Bluebook, College Board’s online testing platform.
In terms of paper practice SATs, there are six official practice tests for the SAT currently offered after the switch to the digital SAT in 2023-2024. If you’re going to use paper-based SAT practice tests to study, these are definitely the ones to start with.
Practice Test 1: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 2: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 3: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 4: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 5: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
Practice Test 6: Questions | Answers | Answer Explanations
In addition to these practice tests, you can find some free sample questions on the College Board website. These sample questions are for both the PSAT and SAT. This speaks to how similar the two tests have become. Whatever studying you do for the PSAT will help you a great deal once you take the SAT.
In addition to these practice tests, you can create an account with Khan Academy and find high-quality practice questions for the SAT. This website works in conjunction with the College Board to produce official SAT practice questions.
Given that the PSAT and SAT are so similar, are there any modifications you need to make when using SAT practice questions to prep for the PSAT?
How to Use SAT Practice Tests and Questions for PSAT Prep
The questions on the SAT and PSAT are almost identical. SAT Math may get a bit more advanced into algebra and functions, but otherwise the questions are very similar. An even more consistent aspect between the two tests is the length: both the SAT and the PSAT are two hours and 14 minutes.
Also, although the two tests resemble each other in both content and scoring, the SAT is slightly more difficult than the PSAT is. As I discussed above, the PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520, with a range of 160-760 for Math and 160-760 for Reading and Writing.
The SAT, on the other hand, is scored on a scale of 400-1600. The score range for Math is 200-800 and the score range for Reading and Writing is also 200-800. Your PSAT scores are meant to predict your SAT scores; however, the scoring scale doesn't go up as high to account for the fact that the PSAT is a slightly easier test. While a high score on the PSAT predicts a high SAT score, it doesn't necessarily coincide with a perfect 1600.
As with the PSAT practice tests, I recommend timing yourself and simulating real test conditions. After, take some time to understand any mistakes you made and determine your strengths and weaknesses. Since the PSAT and SAT are so similar, you may use one test as a diagnostic pre-test and one as a post-test to figure out where you're starting out and to gauge your progress after significant studying.
Given all these practice materials, new and old, you should have plenty of resources to help you achieve a strong score on the PSAT. Let's quickly review the steps you should take to prep for the PSAT.
Down to the last piece of the puzzle ...
Best Ways to Prep for the PSAT
The best resource for PSAT practice questions are the official PSAT practice tests released by the College Board and listed at the beginning of this guide. Official test questions are the gold standard when it comes to sample questions, as they are the best representation of what will be on the actual exam.
Since the PSAT is so similar to the SAT, the practice tests and free online questions for the SAT can be very useful prep tools. These questions will help you get ready for both the PSAT and SAT.
Finally, you can still use older PSAT practice tests effectively, as long as you familiarize yourself with the changes to the exam and focus your energy on the relevant content and skills. This understanding will also help you avoid wasting time on material and information that's no longer relevant, such as Sentence Completion questions.
As long as you take the time to understand the exam and adapt your test prep accordingly, you can still use the abundance of practice material out there to prep for the PSAT. And as an added bonus, all this prep will help you out a great deal in the future when you take the SAT!
What's Next?
Are you aiming for top scores on the PSAT? Learn what it takes to become a National Merit Semifinalist and a National Merit Finalist.
If your scores qualify you for National Merit distinction, you might be eligible for National Merit scholarships. Read more about how you can earn a National Merit scholarship.
Planning to take the SAT, too? Check out this full guide to learn all about the test.
