SatCalcs

PSAT Score Calculator — Scaled Score + Selection Index

Who this is for: For sophomores and juniors holding a PSAT answer key — the score matters differently if National Merit is in play, and this tool does both math at once.

PSAT raw answers to 320–1520, plus your Selection Index and the National Merit Commended line.

Quick answer: PSAT/NMSQT scales R/W and Math to 160–760 each (320–1520 total) and derives the National Merit Selection Index as (R/W×2 + Math)/10, max 228 — the 2026-entry Commended line was 209. Enter your correct answers below for both numbers at once.

0–54 (27×2 modules)

0–44 (22×2 modules)

Total (of 1520)
1340
R/W 680 · Math 660
Selection Index
202
(R/W × 2 + Math) ÷ 10 · max 228
National Merit read
below line
7 points below the 2026-entry Commended line (209)
R/W section (160–760)680
Math section (160–760)660
Total (320–1520)1340
Selection Index (48–228)202
The index double-weights R/W: pushing the verbal section usually moves the SI twice as fast as Math. State Semifinalist lines land anywhere in ≈205–223 — compute the gap from 209, then check your state's most recent line.
Representative conversion — the PSAT caps each section at 760, so 1520 is a perfect total.
Core facts
Scale160–760 per section · 320–1520 total
Raw maxR/W 54 · Math 44 (same as Digital SAT)
Selection Index(R/W × 2 + Math) ÷ 10 · 48–228
Example700/700 → SI 210 · 600/580 → SI 178
Merit contextCommended (2026 entry) 209 · state SF ≈ 205–223
StatusOfficial anchors: 2018 ACT/SAT concordance tables (ACT Inc. + College Board), College Board SAT user percentiles (recent graduating classes), and published raw-to-scaled ranges. Raw-to-scaled curves are re-equilibrated every administration — this engine shows a representative conversion plus a range, so treat it as planning-grade, not an official score report.

How does this PSAT score calculator work?

The digital PSAT/NMSQT scores exactly like a short Digital SAT: R/W scales from 54 raw points and Math from 44, but on a 160–760 per-section scale (320–1520 total, half the SAT's range at each end). On top of the section scores sits the Selection Index — (R/W × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, running 48–228 — which is the only number National Merit looks at. Enter your correct answers and the calculator returns both: representative scaled scores with their range, and your Selection Index against the context line — 209 was the Commended cutoff for the class of 2026 (top 3-4% of testers), with state semifinalist cutoffs ranging roughly 205–223 and announced each September by NMSC. A 700/700 PSAT section pair yields Selection Index 210 — one point past Commended. Enter your raw counts below to see where you land.

Common uses

  • Scoring an official PSAT practice test or a released form
  • Checking whether your Selection Index clears Commended in your state's neighborhood
  • Setting a junior-year target before the October PSAT sitting
  • Explaining to parents why the PSAT total tops out at 1520, not 1600

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good PSAT score?
For general SAT planning, 1100+ (of 1520) is solidly above average and 1250+ is strong. For National Merit, the bar is the Selection Index: 209 was the Commended line for the class of 2026, and semifinalist state cutoffs run higher — roughly 205–223 depending on your state. 'Good' depends on which game you're playing.
How is the PSAT Selection Index calculated?
Selection Index = (R/W × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, using section scores on the 160–760 scale. A 700 R/W + 700 Math gives (700×2 + 700)/10 = 210. The maximum is 228 (760/760). NMSC uses this index, not the total, for every recognition line.
Does a 1520 PSAT equal a 1520 SAT?
No — the PSAT is a gentler test on a compressed scale (each section caps at 760, not 800), and it's slightly easier than the SAT. A 1520 PSAT predicts a strong but not identical SAT performance; most students see their SAT equivalent land within roughly ±50 points of the PSAT total after preparation.
When do National Merit cutoffs come out?
Semifinalist state cutoffs are announced each September (for the October test of the prior fall). Commended is announced with them. Because state lines move a few points year to year, the calculator shows the most recent confirmed line (Commended 209, class of 2026) and the historical state range rather than pretending to know next September's numbers.
Do sophomores qualify for National Merit?
No — only the junior-year PSAT/NMSQT administration counts for the National Merit Scholarship competition. Sophomores can take the PSAT 10; it uses the same scale and is great practice, but its scores never enter the NMSC pipeline. If you're a strong sophomore, this is why October of junior year matters.
Is the PSAT adaptive like the Digital SAT?
Yes — the digital PSAT/NMSQT (from fall 2023) uses the same two-module adaptive structure per section as the Digital SAT, just with the 160–760 section cap. Raw maximums match the SAT exactly: 54 R/W and 44 Math.

More guides

What Is a Good SAT Score

Benchmarks by percentile and by college tier — 1400+, 1300+, 1200+ — and how to pick your target number.

SAT Score Chart

The Digital SAT raw-to-scaled chart (with ranges), percentile anchors, and the ACT concordance — one page, three tables.

How SAT Scoring Works

From raw answers to the 400–1600 report: adaptive modules, equating, Score Choice and superscoring, explained in order.

More ACT, PSAT & formulas

ACT Score Calculator

Raw answers to 1–36 per section and composite — Classic ACT and the Enhanced 2025+ format, both built in.

ACT to SAT Conversion

The official 2018 concordance, both directions — pick an ACT composite or an SAT total and see its counterpart range.

SAT Formula Sheet

Every formula the Digital SAT expects — official reference sheet items plus the algebra you must memorize — organized, with a print view.