PSAT Conversion Chart

How Do Colleges Convert PSAT Scores to Other Scores?

The different test sections are reported on a scale of 20 to 80. This score range corresponds to the score range of SAT i.e. scores for different test sections of the SAT are reported on a scale of 200-800. The conversion chart that supports the above description is as follows:

The following table explains how the score obtained by the PSAT aspirants in the month of October 2004 during their junior year of high school has changed for SAT score that the same students have obtained in the spring of their junior year.

*Critical Reading Section*
*Score* *Range* *for PSAT, 2004*	*Average Score for SAT, 2005*
68-72	709
63-67	668
58-62	620
53-57	569
48-52	521
43-47	476
38-42	433

*Mathematics Section*
*Score* *Range* *for PSAT, 2004*	*Average Score for SAT, 2005*
68-72	696
63-67	658
58-62	612
53-57	567
48-52	521
43-47	476
38-42	427

If you wish to get more information about the conversion chart, you can refer to the following link: http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/counselors/psat/understandingScores.pdf

Note:

Colleges do not consider PSAT scores for offering admissions to their graduate programs. However, they do consider SAT scores for providing admissions. Nevertheless, your PSAT scores are important as they are used by the Student Search Service (SSS). You have to register with the SSS and need to send your profile information such as name, address, gender, birth date, high school code etc.

Now, the question arises that how the SSS uses your test scores. It does not send your score to the colleges of your choice. However, it projects your SAT scores based on the PSAT score and creates a range of scores; and categorizes students according to their scores. Based on these categories, SSS matches your scores with the criteria of admissions to graduate programs set by the colleges of your choice. To get more information you can log on to the webpage: http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/csearch/find-right-college/

How PSAT is Scored?

The answer to this question can be obtained with the help of the chart that is mentioned below:

PSAT Conversion Chart for the Year 2005

*October 12, 2005*					*October 15, 2005*
*Points obtained*	*Scores*			*Points obtained*		*Scores*
*Points obtained*	Critical Reading	Math	Writing skills	*Points obtained*		Critical Reading	Math	Writing skills
48	80			48		80
46	75			45		74
39	64		80	39		66		80
38	63	80	78	38		65	80	80
35	60	72	73	29		56	63	63
-3	20	20	30	-2		22	20	30

If you want to get more information about this, you can visit the following web page: http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/counselors/psat/understandingScores.pdf

Note:

- For every correct answer, you get a point and for every incorrect answer, 1/4^th point is deducted.

- The points obtained are the sum total of every point that is scored for correct answers minus the sum of every ?? point that is deducted for incorrect answers.

The points are then converted to the scores that vary within the score range of 20 to 80. This conversion is done based on differences in editions or forms of the test. It is done with the help of a statistical process called equating. Thus, it is possible to compare the scores obtained by you for different years and select the best score. For instance, you can compare the score obtained on October 12, 2010 with that obtained on October 15, 2011.

The above discussion gives you information about how the scores are calculated. They are reported on a scale of 20 to 80. However, this presentation of your scores does not reveal the points that you have obtained for right answers. Therefore, if you want to know how your total points are converted to the presentable scores, you have to refer to the conversion chart mentioned in this article.