A good PSAT score for a junior typically means a composite score around 1130 or higher, with higher scores offering stronger chances for National Merit recognition depending on state and percentile cutoffs. Below is a concise guide to aim for. What counts as "good" (general guidance)
- Good: Composite around 1130–1200 or higher. This corresponds roughly to the 75th percentile or above for many 11th-grade cohorts. It suggests solid performance across both sections (Evidence-based Reading & Writing and Math).
- Very good to excellent: 1250–1300+ places you in the top ~10–15% of test takers and often aligns with stronger college admissions dashboards, though National Merit qualification depends on state-specific cutoffs and the qualifying percentile.
- National Merit considerations: Aiming for the 99th percentile (around or above 730 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 740+ in Math, for a total of roughly 1460–1520 on some scales) is necessary for National Merit Semifinalist status in many cases, but exact cutoff scores vary by year and state.
How to interpret percentiles
- 75th percentile: About 560–590 in each section, totaling around 1130–1140. This is commonly viewed as a solid, “good” target for juniors.
- 50th percentile: Roughly 500 in Reading & Writing and 470–480 in Math, totaling around 970–980. This is average; below this is below-average for most college-admissions contexts.
Practical guidance
- Set a target around 1130–1200 as a realistic, strong junior goal, then adjust based on your state’s National Merit cutoffs and your practice test trends.
- If aiming for National Merit, research your state's historical cutoff for your grade level and build a prep plan to push toward the 99th percentile in both sections.
- Use official PSAT/NMSQT resources and recent practice tests to gauge where you stand relative to the 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile benchmarks described above.
Notes and caveats
- Cutoffs for National Merit and percentile targets can change year to year and vary by state; what’s considered “good” can depend on local competition and your own test history.
- A high PSAT score is a strong predictor of a high SAT score, but many students also improve further with targeted practice, especially in math and reading comprehension.
If you’d like, share your current PSAT practice scores by section and your target colleges or state, and the plan can be tailored with a concrete study timeline and practice resources.
