PSAT/NMQST - Format
The best way to prepare for PSAT/NMQST is to know
the format in which the questions are presented.Once you know the
format, you can make a schedule that lets you prepare for each section,
with time to focus extra attention on the subject areas that need
time.The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(PSAT/NMSQT) include five sections:
- Two 25-minute critical reading sections
- Two 25-minute math sections
- One 30-minute writing skills section
The whole test requires 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Critical Reading
- Two 25-minute critical reading sections = 48 questions
- 13 Sentence completion
- 35 Critical reading questions
Mathematics
- Two 25-minute math sections = 38 questions
- 28 multiple-choice math questions
- 10 Student-produced responses or grid-ins
Note: It is advised to bring your own calculator.
Students should have basic knowledge of the four math categories:
- Numbers and Operation
- Geometry and Measurement
- Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
- Algebra and Functions (but not 3rd year level math that may appear on the new SAT)
Writing Skills
- One 30-minute writing section = 39 questions
- 5 Improving paragraph questions
- 14 Identifying sentence errors
- 20 Improving sentences
Multiple-choice
questions asses the ability of an individual to express ideas
effectively in standard-written English, to recognize errors in usage
and structure, and to use language effectively.