The PSAT 10 is the spring version of the PSAT, given by schools. College Board publishes PSAT 10 benchmarks for 10th and 11th graders. It has the same format and score scale as the fall PSAT/NMSQT: 2 hours 14 minutes, 98 questions, scored 320 to 1520. The one big difference is National Merit. The PSAT 10 does not count, while the PSAT/NMSQT taken in junior year does. For 2027, College Board's spring window for the PSAT 10 runs March 1 to April 30.
PSAT 10 vs. PSAT/NMSQT
| PSAT 10 | PSAT/NMSQT | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring (March 1 to April 30, 2027) | Fall (October 1 to 30 in 2026) |
| Format | 2 hr 14 min, 54 Reading and Writing + 44 Math | Same |
| Score range | 320 to 1520 | 320 to 1520 |
| National Merit | Does not count | Counts in the right year (usually 11th grade) |
| Selection Index | Not used for National Merit | On your score report |
Sources: College Board test structure pages and 2026-27 calendar; NMSC Entry Requirements.
What a good PSAT 10 score looks like
College Board's grade-level benchmarks for the PSAT 10:
| Grade | Reading and Writing | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 10th grade | 430 | 480 |
| 11th grade | 460 | 510 |
Source: College Board, Spring 2026 PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 Understanding Scores for Educators.
Meeting a benchmark means College Board considers you on track to be college ready. If you are planning for National Merit next fall, you need far more than the benchmark. For the class of 2027, the national Commended cutoff was a Selection Index of 208, which takes section scores around 700. See our National Merit guide.
Use your PSAT 10 to get ready for junior year
A spring PSAT 10 gives you about six months before the October PSAT/NMSQT, the one that counts. That is a good amount of time to fix a weak section.
- Read your score report. Note your two section scores and the skill areas where you lost points.
- Estimate your index. Plug your PSAT 10 section scores into our free PSAT score calculator. Because both tests share one scale, it tells you roughly where you would land on a PSAT/NMSQT today.
- Put Reading and Writing first. It counts twice in the Selection Index. Start with our Reading and Writing practice questions and the PSAT vocabulary list.
- Follow a plan. Our 4-week PSAT plan works well in the summer or early fall.
Six months to your junior PSAT.
Practice real Digital SAT questions by skill. The PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT and SAT test the same skills.
Frequently asked questions
Does the PSAT 10 count for National Merit?
No. NMSC says the PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 are not considered for entry. Only the PSAT/NMSQT counts.
Is the PSAT 10 harder than the PSAT/NMSQT?
No. College Board lists the same format and question counts for both, and both use the 320 to 1520 scale.
Do I register for the PSAT 10?
No. College Board says schools and districts handle registration for in-school tests.
Can I take both the PSAT/NMSQT and the PSAT 10?
That depends on what your school offers. Taking both in 10th grade gives you two checkpoints on the same scale before junior year.
Sources
- College Board, How the PSAT 10 Is Structured.
- College Board, Spring 2026 PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 Understanding Scores for Educators.
- College Board, SAT Suite Test Dates.
- NMSC, Entry Requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the PSAT 10 count for National Merit?
No. NMSC says the PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 are not considered for entry. Only the PSAT/NMSQT counts.
Is the PSAT 10 harder than the PSAT/NMSQT?
No. College Board lists the same format and question counts for both, and both use the 320 to 1520 scale.
What is a good PSAT 10 score?
College Board's 10th grade benchmarks are 430 in Reading and Writing and 480 in Math.