Comparison of Old and redesigned PSAT

Three section scores:

1. Critical Reading
2. Writing
3. Math (through Algebra II) 

Two Section scores:

1. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
2. Math (through Trig)

2 hours and 20 minutes

130

2 hours and 45 minutes

165

• Complex scoring: points for correct answers; penalties for wrong answers; no points for unanswered
• There are no sub-scores
• Section Scores (R, M, W) are on a 20 - 80 scale

        Maximum score is 240 

• Simpler scoring: points for correct answers; No penalties for wrong answers; no points for unanswered
• There will be more detailed info with sub-scores for each section (8-38), and even some sub-scores across disciplines
• Scores for each section (1- Evidence Reading and Writing; and 2- Math) are on a 160-760 scale
• Maximum score of 1520   

Reading & Writing

• Segments for Reading (50 min) and Writing (30 min) represent 80 minutes and 61% of the total test questions
• Reading questions represent 38% of total questions and 38% of time allowed
• Writing questions represent 31% of total questions and 23% of time allowed
• Emphasis has been on reasoning skills and vocabulary in limited context

Sentence completion and passage based questions

• Segments for Reading (60 min) and Writing & Lang (30 min) represent 90 minutes and 57% of the total test questions
• Reading questions represent 34% of total questions and 36% of time allowed
• Writing questions represent 32% of  total questions and 21% of time allowed
• Continued emphasis on reasoning, with a focus on knowledge skills 

Meaning of words in extended context and how word choice affects meaning, tone and impactd digitally

• Math questions represent 31% of total questions and 38% of time allowed
• Math goes all the way to Algebra II
• Questions solved mostly with one step

• Math questions represent 34% of total questions and 42% of time allowed
• Higher emphasis on Math in overall test – making it the longest section with highest number of questions

Math is also of a higher level going all the way to Trig-precalc and has many multi-step problems