PSAT FAQ
- I've heard that you lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer. Does that mean I shouldn't guess?
- What's the difference between the PSAT and the SAT?
I've heard that you lose a fraction of a point for each incorrect answer. Does that mean I shouldn't guess?
It's often to your advantage to guess. The quarter point deduction for multiple-choice questions adjusts for the chance that you may randomly guess the correct answer to a problem. So random guessing is unlikely to raise or lower your score significantly. In other words, random guessing usually has the same effect as leaving the question blank.
However, if you can eliminate any answer choices because you are confident that they are wrong, you should guess from the remaining choices. Each eliminated answer choice increases chances you will get the right answer. In non-random guessing, you will, on average, gain more points for correct guesses than you will lose for incorrect ones.
top
What's the difference between the PSAT and the SAT?
PSAT stands for Preliminary SAT. It is designed to familiarize you with the kinds of questions you will see on the SAT, to suggest how you may do on the real SAT, and to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Most sections of the PSAT contain the same types of questions you will see on the SAT, although test is shorter and the questions a little easier, on average.
The PSAT is given to sophomores and juniors, but only juniors are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. Your PSAT scores are reported to your high school. They are not sent to any colleges to which you apply.
top
