College Board · Practice for the SAT, and the qualifying test for National Merit.
The PSAT/NMSQT
The same shape and the same clock as the SAT, on a lower score scale.
The shape of it
| Section | Time | Questions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 64 min | 54 | Same structure as the SAT. |
| Math | 70 min | 44 | Some answers are written in, not selected. |
Every claim, and where it came from
Hover or focus a row to read the wording that supports it; the dagger opens the page it was read from. Nothing on this list was written from memory.
Total testing time 2 hours 14 minutes CONFIRMED
The same total as the SAT.
Structure page: "The PSAT/NMSQT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes."
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/whats-on-the-test/structure
Reading and Writing 64 minutes · 54 questions CONFIRMED
Structure page table: Reading and Writing — 64 minutes, 54 questions.
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/whats-on-the-test/structure
Math 70 minutes · 44 questions CONFIRMED
Structure page table: Math — 70 minutes, 44 questions. The two rows total "134" minutes and "98" questions.
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/whats-on-the-test/structure
Total questions 98 CONFIRMED
Structure page, combined row: 134 minutes and 98 questions.
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/whats-on-the-test/structure
Written-in answers Some math questions CONFIRMED
Not everything is multiple choice.
Structure page: "Most of the questions are multiple choice, though some math questions ask you to write in the answer rather than select it."
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/whats-on-the-test/structure
Total score 320–1520 CONFIRMED
Each section is reported separately.
Score report table: Total Score "320–1520"; Section Scores "160–760".
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/understanding-scores
Section scores 160–760 each CONFIRMED
Reading and Writing, and Math.
Score report table: Section Scores "160–760".
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/understanding-scores
Fall 2026 testing window 1–30 October 2026 CONFIRMED
Your school picks the day inside it.
Test dates page: testing window "October 1–30, 2026".
How you register Through your school CONFIRMED
There is no public registration for this one.
Test dates page: students taking PSAT assessments do not sign up themselves — "Schools or districts will handle the registration process."
When you can sit it
No calendar. Fall 2026.
The PSAT/NMSQT is not a public sitting you register for: schools test inside a window, and your school chooses the day. The window read from College Board on the date above is 1–30 October 2026.
Practice, from the people who write it
Free full-length practice tests in Bluebook — the same app the real test runs in. Official practice for the PSAT/NMSQT.
This site reproduces no testing body’s questions. Official practice material is the only material written by the people who write the real test, and it is free for every test on this list.