How to Calculate PSAT Score: 3-Step Score Calculator

If you’re struggling to calculate your PSAT score, then it sounds like you’re in need of a handy PSAT score calculator! In this guide, we offer you step-by-step instructions on how to calculate PSAT scores. To begin, we'll look at how the PSAT is scored and what “equating” means. We'll then go over how to calculate various PSAT scores before finishing with an explanation on how a PSAT score calculator can help you get the PSAT score you want.

How Is the PSAT Scored?

The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520 in 10-point increments. Your total PSAT score is the sum of your Math and Reading and Writing (RW) section scores. These two sections are each scored on a scale of 160-760, which is equivalent to half the total score range.

But there aren't 1,520 questions on the PSAT, so where do these numbers come from? In reality, your Math and RW scores start out as raw scores. A raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly. So if I were to get 40 Reading and Writing questions right, my raw Reading and Writing score would be 40. (Note that the PSAT uses rights-only scoring, so you'll never lose any points for incorrect answers.)

Next, your raw scores for both sections are converted into final scaled scores using a special equating process. The College Board (the creators of the PSAT) uses equating to account for slight differences in difficulty among tests, making it so that a scaled PSAT score always indicates the same level of ability, regardless of test.

Here’s how the College Board describes the equating process used for the PSAT:

*Emphasis mine.

Ultimately, what this means is that raw scores will not always convert into the same scaled scores on different PSATs. Here's an example to illustrate this concept: on this practice PSAT, you can see that a 23 raw Math score converts into 540, but on this practice PSAT, 23 converts into 510 instead.

So are raw scores and scaled scores the only scores you'll get on the PSAT? Not at all! In addition, you’ll receive a breakdown of all the knowledge and skills tested on the SAT, as well as a National Merit Selection Index score. Knowledge and Skills scores measure your performance in each of the specific skills on the test (there are four skills in Reading and Writing and four in Math). On your score report, you’ll see the number of questions in each of the content areas, the percentage of the section covered by each content area, and a visual breakdown of how you performed in each content area.

The Selection Index is perhaps one of the most unique scores you'll get; it has a score range of 48-228 and is used to determine your eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. To qualify for the program, you must earn a Selection Index score at or above your state’s cutoff score.

Now, let's calculate PSAT score areas together!

Are raw PSAT scores as tasty as raw cookie dough?

How to Calculate PSAT Score: Raw & Scaled

Now that the PSAT has gone completely digital, the College Board offers complete digital practice tests in their online Bluebook app. Bluebook calculates practice test scores for you automatically once you finish each test, so it takes the heavy lifting out of the scoring process! We recommend using these practice tests first, since they reflect the exact format and structure of the exam and are scored the exact same way the real test will be.

But if you’ve already exhausted those official practice tests and are looking to take a few paper-and-pencil practice tests, we can help! Below we’ll show you how to calculate your raw and scaled (section) PSAT scores on official PSAT practice tests. 

If you'd like to calculate your own scores as you read along, make sure you have access to the answer key for whichever official PSAT practice test you took. This will act as your PSAT score calculator.

Note that all of the example charts and conversions below are based on the scoring guide to PSAT Practice Test #1. Since this test isn’t delivered digitally (it’s designed to be printed out and taken using a pencil-and-paper), it doesn’t use the new adaptive testing model that the new and improved digital PSAT uses. To make up for this, there are more questions on this practice test than will be on the real PSAT. (The digital PSAT has 54 Reading and Writing questions and 44 Math questions, but this practice test has 66 Reading and Writing questions and 54 Math questions.)

Step 1: Determine Raw Scores

Raw scores are a relatively easy-to-calculate PSAT score area. Remember, raw scores equal the number of correct answers you got. In other words, the highest raw score you can earn on a section will be the same as the total number of questions in that section.

Each of the two PSAT sections — Reading and Writing and Math — contains a different total number of questions, or a different raw score range. Both sections of the test are divided into two modules (so there are four modules total), but the raw score for each section combines the modules together into a single raw section score. 

Here is an overview of the raw score ranges on PSAT Practice Test #1:

Raw Reading and Writing Score

Your raw Reading and Writing score will be out of 66 points on this practice test (keep in mind that if you use a different practice test, this number might be different). Using your practice test’s answer key, add up all of the correct answers you earned on the Reading and Writing section to get your raw Reading and Writing score.

For example, if I were to miss 13 questions on the Reading and Writing section, my raw Reading and Writing score would be 53:

PSAT Reading and Writing is divided into two modules, which is why there’s a raw score for both Module 1 and Module 2. To get your combined Reading and Writing raw score, just add your two module scores together: 26 + 27 = 53.

Raw Math Score

As I mentioned above, Math is also divided into two modules. This means you’ll see two raw Math scores that'll be subsequently combined to give you a total raw Math score. The maximum number of points you can earn on the Math section of PSAT Practice Test #1 is 54 points.

To calculate your raw Math score, tally your correct answers for both modules. So if I were to miss 5 questions on Module 1 and 7 questions on Module 2, my raw Math score would be 42: 54 (total questions) - 5 (Module 1) - 7 (Module 2) = 42 raw Math score.

Then, combine these two scores to get your total raw Math score:

Step 2: Convert to Scaled Scores

Scaled, or equated, scores are the final section scores you'll receive on the PSAT. These scores use a scale of 160-760, with each accounting for half your total PSAT score.

As we discussed previously, raw-score-to-scaled-score conversions vary slightly with each PSAT due to differences in equating formulas (this is especially true now that the PSAT uses adaptive testing). Thus, the conversion charts we use for our examples below will not apply exactly to all PSATs. (Remember, our examples are all based on a specific test — PSAT Practice Test #1!)

Now, let's take a look at how to calculate your scaled PSAT scores.

Math Section Score

Start by calculating your total raw Math score using the steps above. This score will be out of 54 points.

Next, look for the "Raw Score" and "Math Section Score" columns on your practice test’s raw score conversion table. (As a reminder, conversion tables vary slightly with each test, so one raw Math score on one test may not convert into the same scaled Math score on another test.) 

On the chart, your raw Math score will directly convert into a Math section score range (i.e., a scaled score). The reason there’s a range and not a set score is to give you an idea of how you would score if you took the PSAT multiple times on different days.

To convert your score, simply match your raw score with the corresponding Math section score range. In my example above, my total raw Math score was 42, which converts into a score range of 520-580:

Reading and Writing Section Score

Calculating your Reading and Writing section score is just as simple as calculating your Math score. Like the process you followed for figuring out your Math section score, begin by calculating your raw Reading and Writing score (using the steps above). This score will be out of 66 points.

Next, look for your scaled Reading and Writing score using your practice test’s raw score conversion table. Find your raw scores for the Reading and Writing section and then look across to the corresponding column to determine your Reading and Writing test score.

My raw Reading and Writing score above was 53. According to the following conversion table, this raw score converts into a score range of 580-640:

Step 3: Combine for Total Score

Once you have your converted score ranges for both your Reading and Writing and Math section scores, combine these scores to get a total PSAT score range out of 1520. In my example, my total PSAT score range would be 1100-1200: 

How to Calculate PSAT Subscores and Cross-Test Scores

In addition to calculating your raw and scaled scores, you have the option of calculating your subscores and cross-test scores. These additional scores offer a closer, more detailed analysis of your performance on particular content areas and question types on the PSAT.

Read on to learn how to calculate PSAT subscores and cross-test scores.

Subscores

To calculate your subscores, start by finding your raw scores for each of the following subscore categories:

Math

• Heart of Algebra
• Problem Solving and Data Analysis
• Passport to Advanced Math

EBRW

• Expression of Ideas
• Standard English Conventions
• Words in Context
• Command of Evidence

Add up your correct answers on Math and EBRW using their respective answer keys. Then, use your scoring guide to see which questions on your test make up which subscore categories. Here is an example of a subscore overview for the EBRW subscore Expression of Ideas:

Once you’ve got your seven raw subscores, use your test’s raw score conversion table for subscores to convert your raw subscores into scaled subscores. All scaled subscores use a scale of 1-15. So for example, if I were to get a raw score of 17 on Expression of Ideas, my scaled subscore would be 12:

Cross-Test Scores

You’ll also receive two cross-test scores:

• Analysis in History/Social Studies
• Analysis in Science

Unlike subscores, cross-test scores are not confined to a single section on the PSAT. This means that you can find a combination of Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science questions in both the EBRW and Math sections.

Each cross-test score begins as a raw score. To find your raw cross-test scores, use your scoring guide to determine which EBRW and Math questions make up which cross-test categories. Below is an example of a cross-test score overview for the Analysis in Science score:

Once you have your raw scores for both cross-test scores, use your test’s raw score conversion table for cross-test scores to figure out your scaled cross-test scores for History/Social Studies and Science. Scaled cross-test scores use a scale of 8-38 (note that this is different from the 1-15 scoring scale used for subscores). So if I were to receive a raw score of 19 on Analysis in Science, my scaled cross-test score for that area would equal 29:

How to Calculate National Merit Selection Index

In addition to calculating your raw and scaled scores, you can also calculate your National Merit Selection Index score. Unlike the other scores we’ve covered so far, you won’t find any conversion table for your Selection Index on a PSAT practice test. So how can you calculate this score?

Here are the steps to take:

#1: Find your scaled Reading and Writing section score. To find this score, first calculate your raw scores for both modules of the Reading and Writing Section. Then, add those raw scores together (Module 1 + Module 2) to get your Reading and Writing raw section score. Once you’ve got your overall raw score for this section, use your raw score conversion table to convert your raw score into a scaled section score. 

#2: Double your scaled Reading and Writing section score range. Take your raw score range for the Reading and Writing section and double it. 

#3: Find your Math section score. Just like your Reading and Writing section score, the first score to find for the Math section is your raw score across the entire section (Module 1 + Module 2). Once you’ve found your entire raw section score for Math, match it to its corresponding scaled score range on your conversion table. 

#4: Add your doubled Reading and Writing score range to your Math section score range and divide by 10. After you’ve figured out your scaled score ranges for both sections (and doubled your Reading and Writing Section), add your doubled R&W score range to your Math score range. Then, divide that sum by 10 to get your Selection Index. Once again, the Selection Index score range is 48-228.

Let’s break this down using the practice test scoring above. 

If you remember, I had a raw Reading and Writing section score of 53 (26 points in Module 1 + 27 points in Module 2 = a total raw Reading and Writing score of 53).

Using my conversion table, I found that a raw score of 53 converted to a scaled score range of 580-640 for PSAT Reading and Writing (at least on Practice Test #1!). That’s step #1 complete.

For step #2, I just need to double my scaled Reading and Writing score range: 580-640 x 2 = 1160-1280. With these steps complete, we have our Reading and Writing section out of the way.

Moving on to step #3: in the example, I had a raw Math section score of 42 (22 points in Module 1 + 20 points in Module 2 = a total raw Math section score of 42). Using my conversion table, I found that my scaled score range for PSAT Math was 520-580.

Now it’s time to add them all together and do a little division: we’re going to add my doubled Reading and Writing scaled section score range to my scaled Math section score range: 1160-1280 + 520-580 = 1680-1860. Then, we’re going to divide that sum by 10: 1680-1860 / 10 = 168-186.

So we see from the example above that my National Merit Selection Score Index would be between 168 and 186 (again, these ranges are used to show how you might perform differently if you took the test on different days).

In the end, if you’re aiming for a scholarship, you’ll need to have a Selection Index high enough to qualify you for National Merit in your particular state. These cutoff Selection Index scores range anywhere from 209-222. For more information about the Selection Index scores needed to qualify, check out our guide on how to become a National Merit Semifinalist.

Next up, we'll decipher the meaning of PSAT score calculations.

What Do PSAT Score Calculations Mean for YOU?

So far we’ve explained how to calculate various PSAT scores, from raw and scaled scores to Selection Index scores. But what do all of these calculations mean for you?

Using conversion tables as a PSAT score calculator allows you to form a rough idea as to how many questions you’ll need to answer correctly in order to attain a certain scaled PSAT score. Essentially, if you have a PSAT goal score in mind, you can use raw score conversion tables from official PSAT practice tests to estimate how many correct answers you’ll need to be able to hit your goal score on test day.

For example, let’s say your total PSAT goal score is 1300, or 640 on Math and 660 on Reading and Writing. To get 640 on Math, you’ll need to score around 46-50 raw points, or get 46-50 questions right. (We calculated this estimated raw score range using the official conversion tables for PSAT Practice Test #1).

Figuring out the number of questions you'll need to get right for Reading and Writing is just as easy. If you’re shooting for a 660 on PSAT Reading and Writing, you’ll need to score around 55-60 raw points, or get 55-60 questions right. (According to PSAT Practice Test #1, at least.

Of course, these raw score ranges are all simply estimates. Because the College Board doesn’t tell us ahead of time how raw scores for upcoming PSATs will be equated, there’s no way to know for sure how many questions you’ll need to answer correctly in order to hit your goal scores. Still, you can get a pretty close approximation using official conversion tables!

Recap: How to Calculate PSAT Score

The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520 in 10-point increments. This total score consists of two section scores for Math and Reading and Writing, each of which uses a scale of 160-760. You’ll also get a Selection Index score on a scale of 48-228; this score's sole purpose is to determine your eligibility for National Merit.

All of these PSAT scores are scaled, or equated, scores. Your PSAT scores will start out as raw scores based on the number of questions you answered correctly. Your raw scores are then converted into scaled scores using a special equating process exclusive to your test.

To convert your raw scores into scaled scores (or even vice versa), use raw score conversion tables for official PSAT practice tests. Though these tables apply to specific practice tests only, you can use them as a convenient PSAT score calculator to estimate the number of questions you’ll need to answer correctly in order to hit your goal scores on test day.

What’s Next?

Want to learn more about PSAT scoring and the PSAT score range? Our in-depth guides explain how the PSAT score range differs from the SAT score range as well as how you can use the PSAT scoring system to your advantage.

Are you aiming for National Merit? Get the rundown on how to win a scholarship and what you can do to guarantee yourself a perfect PSAT score!

Not sure what to expect from the new digital PSAT/SAT? Check out our complete guides to the new test format and the best tips and tricks to prep for the digital PSAT/SAT!