PSAT 89

Thedigitalpsat8/9Ataglance

The PSAT 8/9 is the entry-level assessment in the College Board's SAT Suite of Assessments, designed for students in grades 8 and 9. It measures the reading, writing, and math skills that students need for success in high school and that the PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT continue to measure. The test is given digitally in the College Board's Bluebook testing app, and it is taken at school during testing windows that schools choose.

Exam Pattern and Structure

The PSAT 8/9 has two sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Each section is divided into two equal-length modules, and there is a short break between the two sections. Within each module you can move back and forth among questions, flag questions to return to, and change answers until time runs out.

Section	Questions	Time	WhatItMeasures
ReadingandWriting	54(twomodules	64minutes(32per	Comprehension analysis vocabularyincontext rhetoric , , , ,
	of27)	module)	revision andStandardEnglishconventions usingshort , ,
			passageswithonequestioneach
Math	44(twomodules	70minutes(35per	Algebra Advanced Math Problem-Solving and Data , ,
	of22)	module)	Analysis and Geometry; multiple-choice and student- ,
			producedresponsequestions
Total	98	134minutes	Plusashortbreakbetweenthesections

How the Adaptive Design Works

The digital PSAT 8/9 uses multistage adaptive testing. The first module of each section contains a broad mix of easier, medium, and harder questions. Your performance on that module determines whether the second module is somewhat easier or somewhat harder. Every question counts toward your score, and the scoring accounts for the difficulty of the questions you receive, so the best strategy is simply to answer every question as accurately as you can.

➜

➜

➜

A mix of easier, medium, and

Module 1 results are scored

Easier or harder, based on

120–720, based on both modules

harder questions

Module 1

Content Domains

Craft and Structure (≈28%) · Information and Ideas (≈26%) ·

Algebra (≈42.5%) · Problem-Solving and Data Analysis Standard English Conventions (≈26%) · Expression of Ideas

(≈25%) · Advanced Math (≈20%) · Geometry (≈12.5%). About

(≈20%). Passages range from about 25 to 150 words and cover

30% of questions are set in context, and a calculator is allowed

literature, history and social studies, the humanities, and

throughout.

science.

Scoring and Benchmarks

You receive a total score from 240 to 1440, which is the sum of two section scores: Reading and Writing (120–720) and Math (120–720). There is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question. There is no passing or failing score. Instead, your score report compares each section score with a grade-level benchmark, the score that indicates you are on track for college and career readiness.

Grade-Level Benchmark	ReadingandWriting	Math
Grade8	390	430
Grade9	410	450

Scores are typically available online four to six weeks after test day. Your score report also shows your performance in each content domain, which tells you exactly which skills to focus on next.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Administeredby	TheCollegeBoard aspartoftheSATSuiteofAssessments ,
Whotakesit	Studentsingrades8and9
Format	Digital intheBluebooktestingapp;multistageadaptive;twomodulespersection ,
Questions	98total:54ReadingandWritingand44Math
Questiontypes	Four-option multiple choice; some Math questions are student-produced responses
Time	2hours14minutesoftesting plusashortbreakbetweensections ,
Calculator	AllowedontheentireMathsection;agraphingcalculatorisbuiltintotheapp andapprovedhandheld ,
	calculatorsmaybeused
Referencesheet	CommonmathformulasareavailableintheappduringtheMathsection
Scoring	Total240–1440;ReadingandWriting120–720;Math120–720;nopenaltyforguessing
Whereandwhen	Atschool onadatetheschoolselectswithinthefallorspringtestingwindows ,
Scorerelease	Typicallyfourtosixweeksaftertestday

Registering and Test Day

The PSAT 8/9 is offered through schools, not through individual registration. Your school decides whether to offer the test, sets the date, and tells you how to prepare your device. Before test day, install the Bluebook app on the device you will use (a school-issued or personal laptop or tablet that meets the requirements), complete the test preview, and bring a charged device, a charger, and an approved calculator if you prefer a handheld one.

The PSAT 8/9 is not used for National Merit Scholarship recognition. National Merit qualification is based on the PSAT/NMSQT, usually taken in grade 11. The PSAT 8/9 builds the skills and familiarity that prepare you for that test and for the SAT.