PSAT 2025 Guide: Dates, Scores, Cutoffs & Prep Tips

The PSAT 2025 will run October 1–31, 2025, with Saturday options on Oct 11 & 18. Scores range 320–1520, and a top 1% score could qualify you for National Merit. Here’s everything you need to know—dates, costs, digital format, and prep tips.

If you’re a sophomore or junior heading into fall 2025, the PSAT isn’t “just practice.” It’s basically a two-in-one: a practice run for the SAT and your ticket to the National Merit Scholarship Program if you land in the top percentiles.

I’d recommend thinking of it this way: the SAT is the “main stage,” but the PSAT is the rehearsal that can still get you noticed. And here’s what most parents don’t realize… a strong PSAT can open doors to scholarship money, special honors, and even bragging rights on college apps.

Curious how PSAT fits into your bigger academic picture? Check out our Understanding GPA Guide

PSAT 2025 Test Dates & Deadlines

The PSAT/NMSQT 2025 will be given between October 1 and October 31, 2025. Schools choose their own date, but Saturday testing is set for October 11 and 18, 2025. Students don’t sign up online — registration happens through your high school.

What You Need to Know

• Test Window: Oct 1–31, 2025
• Saturday Options: Oct 11 & Oct 18, 2025
• Registration: Done through your school counselor, not College Board
• Cost: $18 per student (many schools cover this)
• Fee Waivers: Available for eligible students (College Board Fee Waiver Info)

When I was tutoring juniors last year, I saw so much confusion about sign-ups. One student on this Reddit thread thought they had to register on College Board — nope, it’s handled by the school. I’ve also noticed parents stressing about missing deadlines, but honestly, the counselor is your best friend here. Just check in early September and you’ll be fine.

Want to see the full fall testing calendar? Here’s the AP Exam Schedule 2025

How the Digital PSAT Works in 2025

The PSAT 2025 will be fully digital, taken on a school-managed device or your own laptop/tablet through College Board’s Bluebook™ app. The test is adaptive, shorter than the old paper PSAT, and calculator-friendly for all math.

Here’s what that actually means for students in real life:

• Format: Digital only — no paper version.
• Timing: About 2 hours, which is nearly an hour shorter than the old paper test.
• Adaptive Testing: Each section adjusts based on how you do in the first part.
• Tools Provided: On-screen timer, calculator, highlighter, and flagging for review.
• Calculator Use: You can use one the entire math section. (I’d recommend downloading Desmos if you don’t already use it — it’s built in.)

In my opinion, the adaptive setup is what throws most kids off. I had a junior last year who said, “It felt like my test got harder halfway through.” Yep — that’s how it works. The first set of questions decides whether your second set is more advanced or easier.

And here’s what most parents miss: this adaptive system means two students in the same classroom can literally be looking at different questions at the same time.

Besides SAT practice, the PSAT can qualify you for big scholarships. Check the National Merit cutoffs by state to see where you stand.

Example Resource

• r/SAT Digital PSAT discussion — students sharing first impressions (“felt shorter,” “calculator helped,” etc.)

PSAT 2025 Costs & Fee Waivers

The PSAT 2025 costs $18 per student, but many schools cover the fee. Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch or other financial aid programs.

What to Expect

• Standard Fee: $18
• Who Pays? Some schools cover the full cost. Others pass it on to students.
• Fee Waivers: College Board offers them — usually granted if you’re already in free/reduced-price lunch programs or other aid.
• Hidden Costs: None for the test itself, but prep books, tutoring, or online courses are where expenses creep in.

What I’ve seen others do: ask the school directly if they’re covering the cost. A lot of students on Quora were surprised their school paid without them even knowing.

And from my own experience tutoring — I’ve had students pay nothing at one public school, while at a private school nearby, parents had to write the $18 check. So it really depends.

Here’s the thing: $18 isn’t huge, but every bit matters. If you’re worried about costs stacking up (PSAT → SAT → college apps), grab the fee waiver early. It’s one less headache later.

PSAT 2025 Score Range & What’s a Good Score

The PSAT 2025 score range is 320–1520. A “good” score depends on your goals: around 1150–1200 is above average, 1300+ is strong for college prep, and 1450+ usually lands you in the top 1%.

Here’s how the scoring works:

• Range: 320–1520 total
• Sections: Evidence-Based Reading/Writing (160–760) + Math (160–760)
• Percentiles: Scores come with a percentile rank to show how you compare nationally
• Benchmarks: College Board has “college readiness” scores — about 460 in Reading/Writing and 510 in Math

What Counts as “Good”?

• 1150–1200: You’re ahead of the curve compared to the average test-taker
• 1300–1350: You’re in a solid competitive zone for many scholarships and selective schools
• 1450+: This is top 1% territory — prime National Merit potential

For more detail checkout our guide: What Is a Good PSAT Score in 2025? (Score Ranges Explained)

If your score falls in the middle range, you can still shine by choosing the easiest AP classes strategically.”

In my opinion, “good” is a slippery word here. I had a student last year score 1180 and feel disappointed because a friend got 1400+. But for that student’s college list, 1180 was more than enough to be on track.

What I’ve seen on Reddit’s r/SAT is a lot of students obsessing over whether a 1250 is “bad.” It’s not bad at all — it just depends on what you’re aiming for.

I’d recommend using an online PSAT/SAT score tracker — even a simple Excel template or a planner from Amazon does the job.

National Merit Scholarship & Cutoffs

To qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program in 2025, you’ll need a top score on the PSAT — usually around the top 1% in your state. Cutoffs vary by state but often fall between 1400–1470.

How It Works

• Eligibility: Juniors only (11th grade) taking the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2025
• Selection Index: Based on your PSAT section scores (range: 48–228)
• State Cutoffs: Each state sets its own cutoff score — higher in competitive states like New Jersey, lower in smaller states
• Recognition Levels:
  • Commended Scholar: Just below the cutoff, usually ~1400+
  • Semifinalist: At or above the state cutoff
  • Finalist: Through an application, essay, and SAT confirmation score

Students aiming this high usually also stack their schedule with the best AP classes for college credit

Real Examples

• In 2024, the California cutoff was around 221 (about 1460 total score).
• In states like Wyoming or North Dakota, the cutoff was closer to 209–213 (roughly 1410).
  (Source: National Merit FAQ)

On this College Confidential thread, parents share state-by-state cutoff predictions every year. It’s a good pulse check if you’re aiming high.

Prep books like Kaplan or Princeton Review (Amazon) are worth it if you’re chasing National Merit.

Here’s what most parents miss: National Merit isn’t just about bragging rights. A semifinalist spot can lead to full-tuition scholarships at certain universities. I’ve seen students get offers from places like the University of Alabama and Oklahoma University that were life-changing financially.

One of my tutoring students didn’t quite hit the California cutoff but still became a Commended Scholar — and that line on her resume made her Common App stand out.

National Merit Scholarship & 2025 Cutoffs

The National Merit Scholarship Program picks the top 1% of PSAT/NMSQT scores by state. In 2025, cutoffs will likely fall between 1400–1470 (Selection Index ~209–223), depending on where you live.

How the Process Works

• Who qualifies? Juniors taking the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2025
• Selection Index (SI): Sum of your Reading, Writing, and Math subscores × 2 (range: 48–228)
• State Cutoffs: Each state sets its own SI cutoff — highly competitive states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California are usually near the top
• Levels of Recognition:
  • Commended Scholar → top 3–4% nationally (~1400 total score)
  • Semifinalist → state cutoff (top ~1%)
  • Finalist → after essays, GPA checks, and confirming SAT scores
  • Scholar → actual scholarship awards

2024 State Cutoffs

(Source: National Merit Scholarship Corp + parent reports on College Confidential)

👉 Expect 2025 cutoffs to stay within 1–2 points of these numbers.

Real-Life Example

On Reddit’s r/SAT, one student from Texas shared how a 1450 total PSAT score landed them right at the state cutoff. Meanwhile, another student from North Dakota with the same score easily cleared their state’s bar.

Here’s what most parents miss: even if your child doesn’t make Finalist, being a Commended Scholar still adds weight to college applications.

In my opinion, parents often over-focus on Ivy League prestige when it comes to National Merit. But I’ve seen students earn full tuition at schools like University of Alabama and University of Oklahoma simply by being Finalists. For many families, that’s a bigger win than a name-brand school.

PSAT vs SAT (2025 Edition)

Quick Answer:
The PSAT is basically a practice version of the SAT — same question style, but shorter and scored out of 1520 instead of 1600. The SAT is what colleges actually care about.

Main Differences

Once you’ve taken the PSAT, the next step is SAT prep — but don’t forget your GPA also matters. Here’s our GPA Guide

Why This Matters

• Practice with purpose: PSAT helps you get comfortable with the digital format.
• But… don’t stress too much: Colleges never see your PSAT. The SAT (or ACT) is what matters for admissions.
• National Merit link: The only real “stakes” of the PSAT are for juniors chasing scholarships.

Real Example

I saw a student post on Quora saying they got a 1250 on the PSAT and panicked. Six months later, after prep, they scored a 1390 on the SAT. That gap is normal — PSAT scores are often 30–80 points lower just because of the scaling.

I’d recommend looking at the PSAT as a diagnostic tool, not a do-or-die moment. I had a student score 1190 on PSAT, then a 1420 on the SAT — all because they used their PSAT mistakes as a roadmap for focused prep.

If you’re moving from PSAT prep into SAT prep, check out our AP vs SAT guide and our study planner tools to stay organized.

How to Register for the PSAT 2025

You can’t just go online and register for the PSAT like you would for the SAT. It’s arranged through your school counselor.

• Ask in August/September if your school is offering the PSAT.
• Some private schools may require extra sign-up forms.
• Homeschoolers should reach out to local high schools or district offices to see if they accept outside students.
• 👉 I’d recommend asking your counselor no later than early September, since schools need to order testing materials ahead of time.

✅ Pro tip: If your school doesn’t offer the PSAT, ask about nearby schools that do. College Board allows homeschoolers and students from other districts to test if spots are available.

Homeschool students? Here’s how AP testing works on the AP Exam Schedule 2025 — the process is very similar

Study & Prep Tips for PSAT 2025

Start with free resources over the summer, then get more consistent with practice in September.

Free Prep Resources (Great starting point)

• Khan Academy PSAT practice – personalized study plans linked to your College Board account.
• Bluebook App practice tests (the same app you’ll use for the real digital PSAT).
• College Board official prep PDFs – free sample questions and answer explanations.

Paid Prep Worth Considering (if you want an extra edge)

• Study planners – to map out practice tests and track progress.
• Noise-cancelling headphones – helps keep focus during long study blocks.
• Prep books like Kaplan or Princeton Review (good mix of strategies + full-length practice tests).

Already in prep mode? These easiest AP classes are a good next step once you get through PSAT.

Note: This section may include affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you.

Best Amazon PSAT/SAT Prep Books to Link

Real Student Feedback from Reddit

From threads like r/SAT / r/TestPrep:

• Students tend to favor Kaplan and Princeton Review books for their clear explanations and practice questions.
• Others mention that older editions are okay if you focus mainly on strategy and question style instead of worrying about every single change.
• One student said: “Princeton Review sets were helpful, but the official books from College Board gave the most realistic test feel.”

❓ FAQs About the PSAT 2025

If the PSAT didn’t go your way, here are your AP Exam Retake Options

Final Thoughts – Don’t Overstress the PSAT

At the end of the day, the PSAT is practice with benefits. Yes, it’s the gateway to National Merit Scholarships, but for most students, it’s more about gauging SAT readiness than anything else.

👉 My advice? Take it seriously, but don’t panic. Use it as motivation, not as a measure of your future.

Related Guides (for next steps):

• AP Exam Schedule 2025
• Understanding GPA Guide
• Best AP Classes for College Credit

Nawab

Nawab, an educator teaching K-12 since 2010, holds an English honors graduate degree and a diploma in elementary education. He has also been blogging for five years, sharing insights for educators and parents.