Sections

The PSAT used to have three sections, consisting of Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. The Math section had a large focus on geometry and algebra. The Reading section included passages and comprehension, as well as the infamously obscure vocabulary words. The Writing section tested on both English and grammar. It didn’t include an essay, unlike the SAT.

Time

The PSAT used to have a total test time of 2 hours and 10 minutes, with 2 reading sections, 2 math sections, and one writing section. Each section was, on average, 25 minutes, with the exceptions of a 35 minute writing section. That’s a long time to have to concentrate for, so be sure to eat a hearty breakfast!

Scoring

The PSAT used to be out of 240 points. Each of the three sections counted for 80 points, which were then added up for the total 240. There are five answer choices for each section, and each incorrect answer takes off .25 points from your score. The only exception to this would be the grid-in questions on the Math portion. These questions aren’t require writing in the answer instead of multiple choice. Since this is more difficult, incorrect answers on grid-in questions are not penalized on your overall score.