PSAT - WHAT THE SCORES MEAN!

[10/20, 3:08 PM] Alaba Babalola: Can you talk to me about PSAT. Please give me a good idea of what average score to excellent score is in PSAT. I want to be able to determine if a person who has taken the test has performed well in general terms, and in terms of someone who is considering or seeking admission to college for PreMed studies, and eventually Med School. Thank you?

[10/20, 3:09 PM] Alaba Babalola: Absolutely — let’s break down the PSAT so you can understand how to evaluate a score in general terms and specifically for a student considering a Pre-Med and Medical School path.

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🧠 What is the PSAT?

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test usually taken in 10th or 11th grade. It’s used for:

Practice for the SAT (college entrance exam)

Qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program (if taken in 11th grade)

> Note: The PSAT is not used directly in college admissions, but it can reflect academic potential — especially for selective colleges and scholarship programs.

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📊 PSAT Scoring Overview (as of the most recent format)

Total Score Range: 320–1520

Based on:

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW): 160–760

Math: 160–760

National Percentile: Each score comes with a percentile that shows how the student ranks nationally.

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✅ What’s a “Good” vs. “Excellent” PSAT Score?

Performance Level Total Score Percentile Estimate Meaning

Excellent (Top 1–2%) 1450–1520 98th–99th percentile National Merit consideration, highly competitive for elite schools

Very Good 1350–1440 90th–97th percentile Competitive for top public/private universities

Above Average / Strong 1200–1340 75th–89th percentile Strong performer, good for most 4-year schools

Average 1010–1190 50th–74th percentile Average to decent performance

Below Average <1010 Below 50th percentile May need academic support or further prep for college-level work

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🧬 What PSAT Score is Good for a Future Pre-Med?

Here’s where it gets specific.

Pre-Med is a rigorous academic path — involving challenging courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, followed by MCAT and med school applications. So the student needs strong critical thinking and academic discipline from early on.

🩺 Suggested PSAT Performance for a Pre-Med-Bound Student

Category Recommended Score Range Why it Matters

Competitive Future Pre-Med 1350+ Indicates strength in math and reading — important for SAT/ACT, and reflects readiness for future STEM rigor

National Merit Level (bonus) 1450+ (typically) Qualifies for National Merit and opens doors for scholarships + elite schools

Good Foundation for Science Majors 1250–1340 Above-average, shows solid academic prep, especially if paired with good grades in science/math

> 📌 Bottom line: A score below ~1200 may indicate the need for further academic development, especially in math/science, to prepare for a Pre-Med college track.

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🎓 Why PSAT Scores Matter Even If Not Required

Indicators of Readiness: PSAT scores show where the student stands in core academic skills needed for the SAT and college STEM coursework.

Scholarships: A high score (especially in junior year) can lead to National Merit awards and full-ride scholarships at many universities — which is a huge financial help on the long road to medical school.

College Advising: Schools use PSAT results to guide course selection, AP recommendations, etc.

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🔍 Tips if You're Evaluating a Score:

1. Compare to national percentiles — not just the total score.

2. Look at individual section scores — a future Pre-Med student should be especially solid in math.

3. Watch trends — is the student improving each year?

4. Look beyond the PSAT — GPA, course rigor, SAT/ACT (next), and extracurriculars matter more for admissions.

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🧭 Next Steps for a Strong Pre-Med Path:

If the student is serious about Pre-Med:

Take challenging STEM courses (honors/AP/IB if available)

Build up SAT/ACT prep (especially for competitive colleges)

Get involved in science clubs, volunteering, shadowing, or summer research

Focus on strong GPA throughout high school

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Would you like help evaluating a specific score (e.g. “is a 1280 good enough?”), or recommendations on how to improve scores or build a stronger pre-med profile in high school?