What should I study for the psat?
Quick Answer
Students should focus their study on algebra, data analysis, and reading comprehension through short passages. The digital PSAT also requires mastering grammar rules and learning to use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator efficiently.
How the Digital Format Changes Study Habits
A student opens their laptop on a Saturday morning to take a practice test. They feel confident because they get top grades in English class. However, they soon realize that the test does not ask them to write long essays or analyze full novels. Instead, it asks them to find tiny grammar errors in very short paragraphs. This student quickly learns that being good at school is not the same as being good at the PSAT. The digital format moves quickly and requires a different kind of focus than paper tests used to.
The digital PSAT is adaptive, which is something many students do not realize. This means the test changes based on how a student performs. If a student does very well on the first set of questions, the second set will be much harder. Studying only easy or medium questions will not prepare a student for the harder second module. To get a top score, a student must practice with difficult materials that challenge their logic and reasoning. This adaptive nature makes the test feel like it is getting harder as the clock ticks down.
Preparing for a digital screen is also different from studying with a physical book. Students need to practice using digital tools like the timer, the line-off tool, and the annotation feature. Looking at a screen for two hours can cause eye strain that a paper book does not. Successful students often practice in the same lighting and with the same device they will use on test day. This helps the brain get used to reading small text on a backlit screen without getting tired.
Mastering the Most Important Math Concepts
Most of the math on the PSAT comes from Algebra I and Algebra II. Students often waste time studying complex calculus or trigonometry, but those topics barely appear on the test. About 35 percent of the math section focuses on linear equations and functions. This means a student should spend a large portion of their time learning how to find the slope of a line or where two lines intersect. If a student can master these basic algebra skills, they can earn a high score even if they struggle with harder geometry questions.
Data analysis and problem-solving are the next most important areas. This includes reading charts, understanding percentages, and calculating mean or median. Many questions give a student a table of information and ask them to draw a conclusion. Studying for this requires more than just memorizing formulas. It requires the ability to look at a graph and understand what the numbers mean in a real-world situation, like a business budget or a scientific experiment.
One unique insight is the power of the built-in Desmos calculator. Many students bring their own handheld calculator, but the digital one on the screen is often faster for specific tasks. For example, a student can type an entire equation into the Desmos tool and see the answer on a graph instantly. They do not have to solve the math by hand on scratch paper. Learning the shortcuts of the digital calculator can save a student five to ten minutes during the test. Those extra minutes are often the difference between finishing the section and leaving questions blank.
Reading Comprehension and Grammar Essentials
The Reading and Writing section no longer uses long stories that take ten minutes to read. Every question now has its own short paragraph. This means students must switch topics quickly, moving from a poem to a science article in a matter of seconds. To study for this, students should read a variety of short texts. Reading science journals, news articles, and historical documents for fifteen minutes a day can help the brain get used to these quick shifts in subject matter.
Grammar is another area where students can gain points quickly. The PSAT loves to test punctuation, specifically how to use colons, semicolons, and dashes. Many students use these incorrectly in their own writing, so they miss these questions on the test. Studying the specific rules for how to join two sentences together is a very effective use of time. A student who knows the difference between a comma and a semicolon can often answer a question in less than thirty seconds, leaving more time for difficult vocabulary questions.
Words in context are also a major part of the score. Instead of memorizing long lists of obscure words, students should focus on how words change meaning based on the sentences around them. The test often uses common words in uncommon ways. For example, the word directly might mean in a straight line in one sentence, but it might mean immediately in another. Practice identifying the clues in a sentence that point to the correct definition.
Real World Scenarios and Common Errors
Consider a student named Leo who is taking the PSAT for the first time. Leo is excellent at math but struggles with the clock. During the test, he spends five minutes trying to solve one very hard geometry problem. Because he spends so much time on that one question, he does not have time to finish the last five algebra questions at the end of the section. Those five questions were actually easier than the geometry one. This is a common mistake. The consequence is a lower score because all questions are worth the same amount of points, regardless of difficulty.
Another frequent error is ignoring the scratch paper provided by the testing center. Even though the test is digital, our brains often process information better when we write it down. A student might try to keep track of a multi-step word problem in their head to save time. This often leads to a simple calculation error, like forgetting a negative sign. The consequence is choosing a distractor answer that looks correct but is slightly off. Writing down the steps ensures that the student stays on track and catches small mistakes before they submit their answer.
Exceptions exist for students who are not seeking the National Merit Scholarship. If a student is taking the PSAT just for practice, they should focus on their weakest areas to see how much they can improve. However, if a student is trying to win a scholarship, they must focus on their strongest areas to ensure they get a near-perfect score. For a scholarship seeker, missing an easy question is much worse than missing a hard one. The strategy changes depending on what the student wants to achieve with their final score.
When Traditional Study Advice Fails
Standard advice often tells students to take as many practice tests as possible. While practice is good, taking too many tests without reviewing the mistakes is useless. A student might take five tests and get the same score every time because they never stopped to learn why they got questions wrong. The real growth happens in the hour spent looking at the wrong answers, not the two hours spent taking the test. If a student does not have the patience to review their errors, more practice tests will not help them.
There is also a limit to how much vocabulary memorization can help. In the past, the PSAT had many questions that required knowing very rare words. Today, the digital test focuses more on logic and evidence. A student could spend fifty hours memorizing a dictionary and still do poorly if they cannot find the evidence in a paragraph to support an answer. Evidence-based reading is a skill that takes time to build, and it cannot be replaced by flashcards.
Finally, the PSAT results may not accurately reflect a student's ability if they have high test anxiety. Some students perform perfectly on homework but freeze up during a timed exam. In these cases, studying the subject matter more will not help. These students need to study relaxation techniques and time management strategies. If the anxiety is not addressed, the student will likely see a score that is much lower than their actual potential, regardless of how much algebra they know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the PSAT allow a calculator for all math questions?
Yes, on the digital PSAT, a calculator is permitted for the entire math section. Students can use the built-in Desmos calculator or bring their own approved handheld device.
Will my PSAT score affect my college applications?
Generally, no. Colleges do not see your PSAT scores unless you choose to share them. The scores are primarily used for scholarship programs and to help you practice for the SAT.
How long should I study for the PSAT?
Most students find success by studying for 1 to 2 hours a week starting about two months before the test. This prevents burnout and allows time for concepts to sink in.
What is the most common grammar rule on the test?
The use of punctuation to connect independent clauses is very frequent. Students should specifically study how to use a period, semicolon, and comma with a conjunction.
Is the PSAT identical to the SAT?
It is very similar in format and style, but it is slightly shorter and does not include some of the most advanced math found on the SAT.
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