When Are The PSAT Scores Released?

If you are a high school sophomore or junior, you likely took the PSAT this past October 13. 

After taking such a long and nerve-wracking test, you’re probably pretty anxious about how well you did on the test and when you’ll be able to hear back about your scores. After all, your PSAT results not only let you know how well you will do on the SAT, but they will also let you know whether or not you will qualify to be a National Merit Semifinalist.

While it is natural for you to be nervous about your scores, it’s okay for you to take a deep breath and relax for a moment. Scores are not released until December, giving you a few weeks to map out your next steps.

Here is everything you need to know about when your PSAT scores will be released and what you will need to do after you receive your PSAT results:

When will you receive PSAT results?

PSAT scores are released between 6-8 weeks after the exam. In 2021, students can expect to receive their results starting on December 6th. Depending on the state where you took the test, it may take an additional day for you to receive your scores.

You will receive an email at the email address you provided when you took the PSAT notifying you when your scores are ready.

Accessing your PSAT score results

Once you have received notification on December 6th or 7th about your scores, you can view them online on the College Board website.

To view your scores:

• Go to the College Board website
• Log in to your College Board account
• Click on “PSAT/NMSQT Scores”

You will also have access to paper copies of your scores and a detailed score report during the early Spring. Your guidance counselor will provide this information for you when it is available.

Next steps

Once you’ve received your PSAT scores, there are a few steps you will need to take:

Review your results

There is a reason why the “P” in PSAT stands for preliminary. It is a resource that is used to help you practice and prepare for the actual SAT.

Look at your score reports and review each and every question you miss so that you can learn from your mistakes and understand what you need to study before you take the SAT.

Whether you earned a decent score or you have a lot of room for improvement, your PSAT scores will show you exactly what you need to improve upon to earn a good score on the SAT. If you score a 1350 on the PSAT, chances are you will score a 1350 on the SAT if you don’t spend any time preparing.

Reviewing your PSAT results gives you the chance to prepare for the SAT so that you can increase your score.

Apply for a National Merit Scholarship

If you are a junior and you score in the top 1% of PSAT test takers in your state, you will become a National Merit Semifinalist.

This allows you to join 15,000-16,000 other Semifinalists who will apply to become a National Merit Finalist and hopefully, you will eventually become one of 7,500 National Merit Scholarship winners.

Earning the scholarship requires you to have a high GPA, a great SAT score, and an impressive list of extracurricular activities, so make sure to prioritize these factors once you have received your PSAT results.

Retake the PSAT

If you are a sophomore, you have the opportunity to retake the PSAT next year. While some schools require students to take the PSAT both years, I strongly recommend you retake it even if it is optional for two reasons:

• Taking the PSAT your junior year is the only way to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship
• Taking the PSAT gives you helpful information you can use to prepare for the SAT

When you receive your PSAT results, it is important to consider these three next steps: reviewing your results, applying for a scholarship if you qualify to do so, and retaking the PSAT if possible.

Prep Expert can help you with each of these steps. When you work with a private tutor through Prep Expert, you will be able to prepare for the PSAT so that you can improve your score, boost your chances of qualifying for a scholarship, and be better prepared for the SAT.

Sign up for private tutoring through Prep Expert today when you visit our website.