{"id":137428,"date":"2022-08-16T10:33:30","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T15:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=137428"},"modified":"2026-06-03T19:39:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T00:39:06","slug":"psat-8-9","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/psat-8-9\/","title":{"rendered":"PSAT\u2122 8\/9 Practice Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, thousands of high school students across the country prepare for the SAT®<\/sup>. But before they take the SAT, students prepare throughout their high school years by taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT\u2122).<\/p>\n

While it is not required, it is highly recommended that you take the PSAT to familiarize yourself with standardized testing.<\/p>\n

This page focuses on the PSAT 8\/9, which is designed specifically for eighth- and ninth-graders.<\/p>\n

\nPSAT 8\/9 Online Course<\/a>PSAT 8\/9 Study Guide<\/a>
\nPSAT 8\/9 Flashcards<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span>What is the PSAT 8\/9?<\/h2>\n

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) 8\/9 is administered by the College Board, the organization that helps high school students prepare for college through programs and services such as the SAT Suite of Assessments and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program.<\/p>\n

The PSAT 8\/9, along with all the other aptitude tests the College Board offers, is designed to measure the knowledge and skills you learn from school that will be beneficial to help you through college and your career. Your reading, writing, and math skills will be assessed through questions that are grade-appropriate for eighth and ninth graders.<\/p>\n

The PSAT 8\/9 score report also includes a section called AP Potential. This lets you know which AP courses you may be ready to take based on your PSAT assessment.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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Check Out Mometrix's PSAT 8\/9 Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tGet Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n

<\/span>PSAT 8\/9 Exam Outline<\/h2>\n

The PSAT 8\/9 consists of two tests: the Reading and Writing test and the Math test. The exam has a total of 98 items and the time allotted is 2 hours and 14 minutes. Most of the items in the exam are presented in multiple-choice format, but some math questions may ask you to write in the answer rather than select it from a list of choices.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Reading<\/h3>\n

The Reading test contains 54 questions, which are divided into two modules, and you will be given 64 minutes to complete the section. Each question in this section consists of reading a passage and answering a related multiple-choice question. Some questions demand information recall, but most require you to use inference skills and context clues to determine the best answer choice.<\/p>\n

This section will evaluate your skills in the following four categories:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Craft and Structure:<\/strong> This category focuses on your ability to analyze, comprehend, and synthesize text, as well as your reasoning skills and vocabulary knowledge.<\/li>\n
  2. Information and Ideas:<\/strong> This category focuses on your ability to evaluate central details and ideas, make inferences, and wield evidence found in tables, graphs, and texts.<\/li>\n
  3. Standard English Conventions:<\/strong> This category focuses on your text editing skills. Specifically, you will be tested on your knowledge of English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.<\/li>\n
  4. Expression of Ideas:<\/strong> This category focuses on your ability to revise and improve the effectiveness of a text.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    <\/span>Math<\/h3>\n

    The Math test contains 44 questions, which are divided into two modules, and you will be given a time limit of 70 minutes. You will be able to use a calculator throughout the entire Math section, whether it’s the provided digital calculator or an approved physical calculator.<\/p>\n

    The questions are grouped into four domains.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Algebra:<\/strong> This domain focuses on the mastery of linear equations, systems of linear equations, and functions. These questions will evaluate your ability to represent situations through equations and solve them, as well as make connections between different representations of linear relationships.<\/li>\n
    2. Advanced Math:<\/strong> This domain focuses on your skills and abilities regarding absolute value, equivalent expressions, and nonlinear functions.<\/li>\n
    3. Problem Solving and Data Analysis:<\/strong> This domain focuses on analyzing problems and drawing information from data. These questions include using ratios, percentages, and statistical analysis to assess a practical command of math applied to real-world situations.<\/li>\n
    4. Geometry and Trigonometry:<\/strong> This domain focuses on your ability to solve geometric problems. You will be tested on your knowledge of area, volume, circles, right triangles, and lines.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"exam<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/span>How to Register<\/h2>\n

      You may take this test on a regular school day between the months of September and April. Your high school will most likely arrange for scheduled testing dates during these months or you may also inquire with your school guidance counselor regarding this matter. The fee for the test materials used is $14, but your high school may also decide to cover these expenses for the students.<\/p>\n

      Homeschooled students can request to take the test by contacting their local school. For students with disabilities and special testing accommodations, official approval is not needed by the College Board. Students outside the US who want to take the PSAT 8\/9 must contact a local school in their current country at least four months before the exam for ample preparation.<\/p>\n

      <\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\n

      <\/span>What to Bring On Test Day<\/h3>\n

      The most important things to bring are a fully charged testing device with Bluebook installed, a pen or pencil for scratch work, and a valid photo ID if you are testing as an away student. You may also bring an acceptable calculator if you prefer using a handheld calculator instead of the embedded Desmos calculator.<\/p>\n

      <\/span>What NOT to Bring On Test Day<\/h3>\n

      The College Board lists the following as items that you are not allowed to bring with you into the testing room:<\/p>\n