About the digital PSAT/NMSQT

If you’re planning to take the digital SAT, you may be wondering about the digital PSAT/NMSQT. Let’s talk about what’s on the test, why you should take it, and how you can prep for it.

According to College Board, the PSAT/NMSQT is being offered in a digital and adaptive format starting in the fall of 2023 “so that students who will be taking the SAT as juniors in the spring of 2024 have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the digital testing experience before taking the digital SAT.”

In other words, just like the old paper-based PSAT/NMSQT and SAT, the digital PSAT/NMSQT has the same interface, structure, and question types as the digital SAT. Both will include one Reading and Writing section and one Math section. Test-takers have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section, which is divided into two 32-minute modules and contains 54 questions in total. Test-takers have 70 minutes to complete the Math section, which is divided into two 35-minute modules and has 44 questions total. You can learn more about the structure and content of the digital SAT on College Board’s website or in Khan Academy’s digital SAT course.

As mentioned above, the digital PSAT/NMSQT offers you a chance to get familiar with the digital SAT and to practice taking the test. This can help you reduce anxiety and save time on your digital SAT test day.

Additionally, the PSAT/NMSQT can help you gauge your readiness for the SAT, so you know which areas you need to focus on in order to improve your score. Your PSAT/NMSQT score report will show you a breakdown of the kinds of questions you missed, which is useful for directing your SAT prep. For example, if you miss several Inference questions on the PSAT/NMSQT Reading and Writing section, then you may want to spend extra time going through Khan Academy’s Inference videos, articles, and skill practice exercises to get better at those questions.

Also, the digital PSAT is still the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). That means students who score well on the digital PSAT/NMSQT may be eligible for college scholarship opportunities.

First, it’s important to download the Bluebook app, which is the app you’ll be using to take the digital PSAT/NMSQT and the digital SAT.

If you’re looking to maximize your digital PSAT/NMSQT score for scholarship opportunities, we recommend taking one or two of the full-length official practice tests on Bluebook before taking the PSAT/NMSQT. You can use your Bluebook practice test to direct your PSAT/NMSQT test prep the same way you use the PSAT/NMSQT to direct your SAT prep.

Additionally, since the digital PSAT/NMSQT mimics the digital SAT, we also recommend going through Khan Academy’s free official digital SAT test prep materials to prepare for the digital PSAT/NMSQT. Here, you’ll find article and video guides, worked examples, and practice questions for every question type on both the Reading and Writing and the Math section.

For more information, check out our articles on how to create a digital SAT prep plan with Khan Academy and how to take digital SAT practice tests on Bluebook.

Happy prepping!