A good PSAT score for a 10th grader generally means placing in the upper half of test-takers and aiming for percentile benchmarks that reflect readiness for the SAT. Since this is a broad question, here are practical benchmarks and how to interpret them. Direct answer
- A respectable target for a 10th grader is a composite score around 1030 or higher, which typically puts you in roughly the top 25% of testers. Stronger targets would be 1170–1250+ for 10th graders, which align with the top 25–10% range and set you up well for 11th-grade preparation. However, top performers in the 10th grade may aim for 1360+ to be in the top 10% or higher, and a 1520 would be the top percentile. These ranges are approximate and can vary by cohort and test administration.
Rationale and context
- PSAT scores range from 320 to 1520, with each section scored from 160 to 760 and combined for a total score. For 10th graders, percentile interpretations are more important than raw numbers because the test population composition differs by grade level, and percentiles show how a score compares within 10th-grade test-takers specifically. A composite around 1030 typically corresponds to roughly the 50th–60th percentile for many 10th-grade cohorts, whereas higher composites move into the 75th–90th percentile ranges depending on the year and student pool. For example, a 1170–1250 often aligns with the top 25% to 10% of 10th graders. These percentile-ish benchmarks are commonly cited in test-prep guidance and reflect the general distribution seen on PSAT/NMSQT administrations.
