What's poppin—thanks for checking out the Writing and Language guide! Let's get you prepped so you score the highest possible PSAT score you can when October arrives.

On the PSAT, you'll work through four sections of the test. These four sections are:

After working through the hour-long reading test, you'll start thinking 🤔 like a writer while taking on the 35 minute writing and language section! In this guide, you'll learn about the different elements of this section, analyze strategies to pursue, and get some practice at the end.

 on the PSAT that gives you less than a minute per question, but there's no need to worry, because there's not a lot of reading you'll need to do. In 35 minutes, you'll take on 44 questions split among four passages (eleven questions per passage) ⏲️

Passages will cover a variety of topics, so you might even find a pasage that interests you. The possible categories and topics of writing include:

While you won't be using a red pen on the PSAT, answering questions on the Writing and Language test is just like editing a classmate's paper. Image from 

On this section, you'll have a passage on the left side of the page with questions on the right side. Unlike the reading section, you don't need to flip back and forth between passages and questions to revise and edit! 😌

You'll see five categories of questions on the PSAT Writing and Language section. Let's break down each of these sections.

 aspect of the Writing and Language section. When tested on command of evidence, you'll pick an answer choice that best improves a passage's communication of information and ideas. ⭐ 

For instance, you may answer questions that ask about the best way to enhance an argumentative claim or whether an added supporting detail is relevant.

Common questions in the command of evidence category include:

Which choice best reflects the information from the graph?

Which choice best completes the sentence and accurately represents the information in the table?

Which choice would set up the information that follows?

The writer is considering adding/deleting the underlined sentence . . . Should the sentence be kept or deleted?

Here's what that may look like on the PSAT:

This question exemplifies the command of evidence category. Courtesy of 

Questions that cover words in context want you to improve the word choice (or 

) of a specific piece of text. Here is where the rule "shorter is better" often applies—you want to pick the most concise answer that isn't repetitive.

You could also be asked to use word choice that is more precise or improves style/tone. Here are ways you will apply words in context on the PSAT Writing and Language section:

Finding a concise way of conveying an idea that does not change the meaning

Not changing a linguistic pattern, such as the use of repitition for emphasis

Using more formal language or informal language depending on the tone of the passage

Combining two sentences or editing sentences for a less choppy paragraph

Analysis in History/Social Studies and in Science

You'll encounter at least one history/social studies and/or science passage. In this category of questions, you'll make edits to a passage in these areas.

These questions may also include tables/graphs/charts, but you will not need to do any math when applying those graphics to the passage. Here's an example of a question in this category:

Here's what a question about analysis in science looks like. Courtesy of 

These questions are a catch-all for questions that don't really apply to any other section. Example questions in this category could discuss:

Impact of the passages' organization and possible revisions

Structural changes (like moving around paragraphs)

How well sentences & paragraphs work together/transition

Here's an example of a question in this category:

Placement of sentences for organization is a core aspect of the expression of ideas category. Courtesy of 

The standard English conventions section is fairly self-explanatory, and it covers the foundations of English: punctuation, usage, and sentence structure. You'll answer questions that ask you to change words, clauses, sentences, and punctuation, which include a variety of grammar topics:

Proper use of commas, colons, dashes, and semicolons

Here's an example of a standard English conventions question:

Knowing how to effectively use commas and dashes is crucial to standard English conventions and scoring high on writing and language. Courtesy of 

Here's a useful table that will help you remember some common PSAT grammar rules!

With around 47 seconds per question, here are some pointers so you succeed!

You won't have time to answer questions if you're trying to read for details. This isn't the reading section—make sure to just read context around questions.

Even though test-takers do most of their annotating on reading and math, annotating on this section allows you to figure out the answer to a question before you even look at the answer choices.

Oftentimes, picking the best answer means eliminating three answers that are worse. Make sure to cross out answer choices that you know won't work.

. For multiple writing & language questions, substituting sentences, words, or phrases will help you choose, in context, the correct answer.

Remember to bubble as you go as well; a nightmare scenario is finishing the test but not being able to bubble in time! Image from 

Want some quick practice? Here's an 11 question practice PSAT section that you should try to complete in about 9 minutes (in accordance with real timing). Note that this mostly tests your knowledge of standard English conventions! Test comes courtesy of 

More and more of our lives are mechanized, and at some point, we have to start wondering, what's the limit of that mechanization? Many factory workers in the 19th century thought their jobs were safe but we know 

 now that they were wrong. Many people in today's world believe there jobs 

are safe, but how safe are those jobs really?

Studies abound that ask whether man or machine is better at particular tasks, and the results are not always so obvious. Sure, a machine is obviously better at say, welding 

huge pieces of steel together, but what would you say if someone told you people are more likely to open up to a machine than to a psychologist? Or that a machine could write a quicker, more efficient news story than an experienced reporter could?

These questions may seem overly pessimistic (or overly optimistic depending on your point of view); however, 

some recent studies have been truly remarkable. Take Ellie, a computer program used primarily to diagnose patients with depression, PTSD and other mood disorders. 

Many patients found it easier to talk to "Ellie" than to a real person: she 

didn't react in some of those seemingly judgmental ways that a person would, and her voice never broke on top of that 

she could help psychologists to diagnose mental illnesses better than human observation could. She could detect facial movements or voice tones that a person might have not heard or ignored.

Whether Ellie is the way of the future is yet to be determined. We can't know right now, but there is no question that she raises some interesting questions, not only about the work of psychologists, 

but also about all of what we think are definitively human activities.

On the other side of the discussion, however, there's some evidence that humans may have the upper hand. In some of the more basic tasks those learned before the age of about 10 humans 

have a huge upper hand. Computers can do the complex thinking, but one thing with which they have a lot of trouble is, paradoxically, simplicity. Sure, a computer can tell your washer's and dryer's what 

a perfect washing and drying cycle is, but can it fold your laundry? Your GPS can tell you the fastest route to the next state, but can it tell you the prettiest way to go or the best restaurants along the way? Not without humans!

While the battle of man against machine rages on. The 

 questions will persist. No matter who wins, though, humans will almost assuredly find ways to adapt: that's something we've been doing for thousands of years, which is something that no computer can say.

PSAT Writing and Language

Welcome to the PSAT reading guide! Here, we'll go over what this section tests and provide you with some strategies to help you earn that AMAZING score!! 🎉

There are 4 sections on the PSAT, which are:

Depending on the individual, students will find the reading section to be more difficult or less difficult. But don't worry, we'll guide you through the process!

The Reading section measures a range of reading skills such as Command of Evidence and Words in Context (we'll go into these later). There are a total of 47 multiple choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. This amounts to about 76 seconds per question, not counting the time it takes for you to read the passages. 

Information graphics, such as tables, graphs, and charts, accompany some passages. 📈

The Reading Test always includes 4 single passages and 1 pair, with 500-750 words per passage or paired set. You will see:

One passage from a classic or contemporary work of US or world literature.

One passage or a pair of passages from either a US founding document or a text in the Great Global Conversation they inspired (i.e. the US Constitution or a speech by Nelson Mandela).

A selection about economics, psychology, sociology, or some other social science.

Two science passages (or one passage and one passage pair) that examine foundational concepts and developments in earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics.

US and World Literature: 1 passage; 9 questions, making up 20% of the test

History/Social Studies: 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair, making up 40% of the test

Science: 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair, making up 40% of the test

In this section, you'll have a passage/passages on one side of the page and questions on the other side. Keep in mind that you may have to flip a page back and forth to refer back to the passage and/or read the question.

There are six categories of questions on the PSAT Reading section:

Find evidence in a passage (or pair of passages) that best supports the answer to a previous question or serves as the basis for a reasonable conclusion.

Identify how authors use evidence to support their claims.

Find a relationship between an informational graphic and the passage it’s paired with.


Here's a Command of Evidence question you may see on the test: 

                                                           Courtesy of 

Questions testing this skill focus on important, common words and phrases that you'll find across subjects and ones that you'll use throughout your future. You will be tested on your ability to: 

Use context clues in a passage to figure out which meaning of a word or phrase is being used.

Decide how an author's word choice shapes meaning, style, and tone.


Here's a Words in Context question you may see on the test: 

Questions testing this skill assess your reading skills required to succeed in the fields of history, social studies, and science. For example, a passage about an experiment may ask questions that require you to:


Here's a potential question you will see on the test that assesses this skill: 

Questions on information and ideas focus on the informational content provided in the passages. You will be assessed on your ability to:

Understand explicit and implicit meaning of text and extrapolate, or extend, beyond thee information and ideas in a text to new and analogous situations.

Find the evidence within a passage that best supports a particular conclusion.

Determine the central idea(s) or theme(s) in a passage. 

Summarize a passage or its key information and ideas.

Trace cause-effect, compare-contrast, or sequential relationships in a passage.

Determine the meaning of a word or phrase as it is used in context.

A question testing Information and Ideas may look like: 

                                                             Courtesy of 

Questions testing rhetorical analysis of text ask you to analyze the way an author uses word choice, structure, and other techniques to create a desired effect. You will have to consider rhetorical concerns like:

How an author's selection of words and phrases shapes the meaning and tone of a passage.

The effect of point of view or perspective on the content and style of a passage and the way in which the passage is written.

The main purpose of a passage or a particular paragraph in a passage.

An author’s construction of an argument.

Try out this PSAT question that testes your rhetoric skills:

Questions testing synthesis skills ask you to draw connections between two sources. You will be asked to:

Analyze two different but related passages to answer questions that require close reading skills, command of evidence, an understanding of the author’s craft, and other skills covered in Information and Ideas and Rhetoric.

Analyze quantitative information in an accompanying graph, table, chart, or other graphic. They’ll need to interpret the data (though no mathematical calculations will be necessary) and relate those data to the information and ideas presented in the passage.

See if you can answer this Synthesis question: 

Here are some basic strategies you can use to help you!

 Actively read the passages to help you better understand the information. 

Write notes to yourself in the margins. Cross out "fluff," or those filler sections, circle or box important terms or phrases, and mark out places you need to reread or come back to. 

Check the clock to make sure you're on track. Take a few practice tests beforehand and determine which passages are the easiest and hardest for you. Some people prefer to knock out the harder ones and leave the easier ones for the end, or vice versa.

There is no penalty for guessing, so take advantage of this!!

If you're the type of person to run through the test and then go back through to bubble, give yourself adequate time to bubble everything. Don't be rushed when you're bubbling, as this can lead to careless mistakes. 

You won't know everything, and that's completely okay! Take a breather and skip questions you don't know. Save them for later and finish the ones you do know.

Here's a brief, 5-question sample passage from 

 The passage content is categorized under US/World Literature, so note how difficult you find this type of content! Find the answer key at the bottom.

This passage is adapted from Edith Wharton, 

 originally published in 1911. Mattie Silver is Ethan’s household employee.

Mattie Silver had lived under Ethan’s roof for a year, and from early morning till they met at supper he had frequent chances of seeing her; but no moments in her company were comparable to those when, her arm in his, and her light step flying to keep time with his long stride, they walked back through the night to the farm. He had taken to the girl from the first day, when he had driven over to the Flats to meet her, and she had smiled and waved to him from the train, crying out, “You must be Ethan!” as she jumped down with her bundles, while he reflected, looking over her slight person: “She don’t look much on housework, but she ain’t a fretter, anyhow.” But it was not only that the coming to his house of a bit of hopeful young life was like the lighting of a fire on a cold hearth. The girl was more than the bright serviceable creature he had thought her. She had an eye to see and an ear to hear: he could show her things and tell her things, and taste the bliss of feeling that all he imparted left long reverberations and echoes he could wake at will.

PSAT Reading Study Guide & Testing Strategy

What is the PSAT/NMSQT and why is it important?

The Preliminary SAT, or PSAT, is a practice exam that can be used as a simulation for the real SAT taken as a junior or senior.


The PSAT can be taken as early as eighth or ninth grade (PSAT 8/9). There is also one offered in tenth grade (PSAT 10).


The PSAT taken in October of 11th grade is considered especially important because this PSAT is used as the NMSQT, or National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. After the test, students will receive a Selection Index score in their senior year. Different states have different cutoff scores. If students score in the top 3-4% but don’t meet the cutoff score, they are considered Commended Students. Students who score in the top 1% of test takers become Semifinalists (around 16,000 students total) and a majority of those students go on to become Finalists, which gives them a chance to earn scholarship money from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or colleges that give scholarships based on NMSQT scores (


Either way, the PSAT makes great practice for the SAT, one of the main two tests that are used to indicate college readiness during the college admission processes.

There are 4 sections on the test. These are:


The PSAT is out 1520 (whereas the SAT is out of 1600). Math is 760 out the total 1520 points, which means it comprises 50% of the sections on the PSAT, making it an essential subject to review before the test. In this study guide, we will go over the logistics of the two math sections, strategies to improve accuracy and speed, and review important content to help you ace the math section. 💪🏾

In both sections, students will be provided the following formula sheet.

These are also very useful for the regular ol’ SAT.

When you take the test and you stumble upon a challenging question, eliminate choices that you know for certain aren’t correct. For example, you eliminate C and D, leaving A and B. Now there is a 50% chance of getting the answer correct, even if you have to guess. REMEMBER that there is no penalty for an incorrect answer. Therefore, make the best guess you can and move on to the next question.

There are 17 questions on the non-calculator section. Imagine if you spent like 5 out of the 25 allotted minutes on a difficult question. Now you only have 20 minutes to do the other 16 questions 😬 Unfortunately, you are only able to finish 12 of those questions. This results with you getting 76% on this section. However, if you had just marked the question for later or guessed on it, you would have potentially gotten 94% on this section. Therefore, being cognizant of which questions are taking a significant amount of time is very important. After all, the questions are weighted the same. The hard questions don’t earn more points, so don't get stuck wasting time on them. 

Just joking. It doesn’t have to be C. The point is to pick a letter that you will use as a default for whenever you can’t answer a question. The first option, of course, would be to make an educated guess. But if you still have no clue, just bubble in the same letter for all the unsure questions to increase your probability of getting each question right.

Sometimes we are in such a rush that we forget to read the whole question. For example, the question asks “if x satisfies the equation above, what is the value of _x + _." You might be in a hurry and quickly solve for the value of x, rather than understanding what the question is truly asking. There are often multi-step problems like this that get missed due to not reading till the end. This common mistake is often made on problems like the statistical table ones where they are asking for conditional frequency not relative frequency.

Familiarize yourself on how to fill out grid for the Grid-In answers

There are two reasons for this. A-you don’t want to waste time reading how you’re supposed to input answers on the day of the test. B-you don’t want your answers to be read wrong by the scantron. 🤦🏿‍♀️

This is especially useful for when there is a problem in which you have to visualize a graph. For example, the problem gives two points that an equation (7x + b) goes through and asks for the value of b (the y-intercept). It helps to visualize it a bit to understand the ballpark of where the answers should be valued.

There are two ways you can do this. Either you plug the answer choices into the provided equations (or inequality) OR you plug a random number into each answer choice to find the equation that satisfies the conditions of the question.


For example, you need to select the correct order pair that satisfies a system of equations. You can just plug the ordered pairs in and see if the left and right sides of the equation match for both equations in the system, then you got your answer! ✔️


Plugging a number into an equation or inequality usually works when there is a question that asks for some equivalent equation or to write an equation that satisfies certain conditions.

There are often multi-step problems with a lot of information to process at once. Therefore, you should take little notes on the side for each significant number that is given. Ask yourself: what information do I KNOW and what exactly is it that I'm looking for? This way, you have broken the problem down into bits of information that you can easily process to solve the problem.

A good technique is to underline important numbers as you read the question. This technique is especially important for problems relating to unit conversions/rates. Underline the unit that the answer should be in and keep this on the back of your mind as you solve the problem. For example, the question asks for something in ounces, but you have been solving the problem in gallons and you didn’t convert. Yikes! 😱

This trick is often taught in science classrooms, but it's very useful for the PSAT as well.


1. Write the value and units of the number you are given or have just solved for.  


3. Multiply it by the conversion factor (often provided in the problem). This conversion factor should be a fraction with the unit that YOU WANT in the answer in the numerator and the unit that you are converting FROM in the denominator.


4. Repeat Step 3 until you get to the type of units you desire


5. Multiply all the fractions out and get your answer!

, the main 3 topics that are tested in these sections are the Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math. There are also some additional topics. We have provided examples of problems for each type of question.

Solve for a variable in the linear equation/inequality, write a linear expression or equation/inequality depending on the context of the problem, simplifying equations/inequalities, or interpreting an equation/inequality in a word problem.

Systems of two linear equations/inequalities with two variables

Write or interpret a system of equations/inequalities depending on the context of the problem, and solve/simplify the system.

Write a linear function based on the linear relationship between two quantities

The function should have two variables and is formed from data given from the word problem.

Solve linear equations/inequalities with one variable (ex. 2x + 3 = 30)

The equation can have 0, 1, or an infinite # of solutions. Determining what value a constant or coefficient in an equation should have to yield 0 or infinite # of solutions.

Solve two-equation systems with two variables algebraically (ex. 2x + 3y = 30)

The system can have 0, 1, 2, or infinite # of solutions. Determining what value a constant or coefficient in an equation should have to yield 0, 1, or infinite # of solutions.

Connection between equations and real-life context

Given context about a situation, interpret what the constants and variables in an equation mean.

Relationship between algebraic and graphical representations of a linear equation

PSAT Math

Hello and welcome to your comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about the PSAT! Whether you’re a junior hoping to qualify for National Merit Scholarships, a sophomore getting a head start on standardized testing, or a younger student familiarizing yourself with the whole process, welcome! We are glad to have you! This guide will cover a lot of frequently asked questions regarding the PSAT: what it is, how it is scored, and what it can do for you! So, without any further ado, let’s get into it!

I’m glad you asked! PSAT stands for Preliminary Scholarly Aptitude Test, or Pre-SAT. You can think of it as an official SAT practice test. The question types and content are mostly the same, but it is scored differently and can result in different outcomes. In fact, there’s a few different kinds of PSATs.


This PSAT has a double function; not only predicting what an SAT score may look like for students, but with a high enough Selection Index (SI), you can qualify for some additional scholarships! (More on this later.) This is the test that high school juniors (11th grade) take.


This is the official title for the PSAT taken by sophomores in high school. This test is offered in the spring for interested students. Sophomores that are interested in the PSAT/NMSQT their junior year and/or taking the SAT for college applications should take this test to get practice.


The PSAT 8/9 is designed for students in the 8th and 9th grades to get a head start on their testing experience. This test is completely optional, and simply provides insights on one’s strengths and weaknesses. The content is slightly adjusted for the younger audience, but will prove to be challenging for students so they know what to prepare for. This test may prove to be advantageous for early preparation, but will in no way hinder you in your success if you decide not to take it or did not take it.

The math concepts focus on algebra and an overview of upper level math. Reading focuses on overall comprehension, and the Writing and Language section tests your knowledge and application of grammatical concepts. For more detailed explanations on each section, you can check out our Unit Guides!

The highest score on the PSAT is a 1520 (as opposed to the SAT’s 1600). Your overall score is the sum of the scores of each section (English + Math).

For example, Student A may earn a 680 on Math and a 560 on English for a total score of 1240. Student B could also have a 1240, but with a 700 on English and a 440 in Math.

For the PSAT/NMSQT, typically administered in mid-October, scores are usually available early-mid December. For any other PSAT (10 or 8/9), you would have to consult your counselor regarding when your score will be available. If you are taking the PSAT in January, check with your school to see when scores will be released. 

How do I Qualify for a National Merit Scholarship?

Great Question! This has to do with how the test score earned your junior year compares to that of your peers. Your score is transferred into a Selection Index. If your Selection Index is high enough, you qualify for the competition. Then you may advance to become a semifinalist and/or finalist to qualify for different prizes/scholarships.

Your Selection Index is scored using your three test scores (not the scores from the two parts, but raw scores from Reading, Writing, and Math themselves). Add all of those scores and multiply by 2. Your number should be somewhere between 48-228.

Unfortunately, there’s not a magic number that will automatically qualify you for a scholarship. As I mentioned earlier, it depends on how others score, too. Each state has a cutoff (typically anywhere between 209-215). Only the top 1% of test takers will be named Semifinalists (usually around 1600 people nationwide), so to earn this award is a HUGE accomplishment! 🎉

After the semifinal level, approximately 7,600 people will advance to be named Finalists. There are three different types of Merit Scholarships: 

Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards

College Sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards 

There are a lot of different factors that determine what kind of award you'd receive. For more information about the program in general, and to gain a better understanding of the different awards, go to 

The best way to study is to do! Do as many practice tests as you can. This will help expose your weaknesses, give you more practice with question types and pacing, etc. Also feel free to check out our PSAT and 

Don’t worry too much about the number. It seems important now, but everything will work out in the end! If your score isn’t quite as high as you wanted it to be, please don’t beat yourself up. Try again, if you can. If you can’t, you’re allowed to be disappointed, but move on and do some even cooler things, because I’m pretty sure you’re pretty awesome 😉

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