A 1040 on the PSAT is an above-average score. If you took the test as a 10th grader, it places you around the 73rd percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than roughly three out of four students. For 11th graders, that same score lands near the 68th percentile, still solidly above the midpoint.
What Your Percentile Actually Means
The College Board reports two types of percentiles for each PSAT score. The “nationally representative” percentile compares you to a model of all U.S. students in your grade, including those who didn’t take the test. The “user group” percentile compares you only to students who actually sat for the PSAT. For a 1040, a 10th grader’s user percentile is 76, while an 11th grader’s user percentile drops to 61. That gap exists because the pool of 11th graders taking the PSAT skews more academically motivated, so the competition is stiffer.
Either way, a 1040 puts you comfortably in the upper half. It’s not elite, but it’s a genuinely solid starting point, especially if you still have time to prepare for the SAT.
How 1040 Stacks Up Against Benchmarks
The College Board sets “college readiness” benchmarks for each grade level. These represent the scores at which students have a strong chance of earning at least a B-minus average in introductory college courses. For 11th graders, the benchmarks are 460 in reading and writing and 510 in math, totaling 970. For 10th graders, they’re 430 and 480, totaling 910.
A combined 1040 clears both of those thresholds, which means you’re on track for college-level work. Where exactly your score falls depends on the split between your two section scores. If one section is well above its benchmark while the other barely meets it, that tells you where to focus your study time before the SAT.
What This Predicts for the SAT
The PSAT is designed as a practice version of the SAT, and the scoring scales are closely aligned. A 1040 on the PSAT generally suggests you’d score around 1040 on the SAT if you took it the same day with no additional preparation. In practice, most students improve between the PSAT and the SAT simply because they’re older, have taken more coursework, and (ideally) do some targeted prep.
Students who study seriously for the SAT after scoring in the 1000 to 1100 range on the PSAT often pick up 50 to 100 additional points. That kind of improvement can meaningfully expand your list of target colleges. Even modest, focused review of the areas where you lost the most points, whether that’s algebra, data interpretation, or reading comprehension, tends to pay off.
National Merit Is Out of Reach at 1040
The PSAT doubles as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program, but only for juniors. The program uses a Selection Index calculated from your section scores on a scale of 320 to 1520. Commended Students typically need a Selection Index around 207 to 212, and Semifinalist cutoffs vary by state but generally fall between 215 and 225. A total score of 1040 translates to a Selection Index well below those thresholds, so National Merit recognition isn’t realistic at this score level. That’s perfectly fine for the vast majority of students, since fewer than 1% of test takers qualify.
Where a 1040 Fits in College Admissions
Because PSAT and SAT scores track closely, a 1040 gives you a rough preview of your competitiveness. Dozens of four-year universities have average SAT scores in the 1000 to 1100 range among admitted students. You’d be a solid match at many of these schools even without score improvement, and a stronger candidate if you raise your SAT score with preparation.
If you’re aiming for more selective schools where the average SAT sits above 1200, a 1040 PSAT is a signal that you’ll need meaningful improvement. That’s completely achievable, but it requires a real study plan rather than just retaking the test and hoping for the best.
How to Improve From Here
Start by looking at your PSAT score report, not just the total number. The College Board breaks your results into specific skill areas, showing where you answered correctly and where you struggled. Focus your prep time on the weakest areas first, since those tend to yield the biggest point gains per hour of study.
Free resources like Khan Academy’s SAT prep (linked directly from your College Board account) build personalized practice plans based on your PSAT performance. If you prefer structured courses, both online and in-person options range from free to several hundred dollars. The key factor isn’t which resource you choose but whether you actually use it consistently over several weeks.
A 1040 means the fundamentals are solid. You’re not starting from scratch. With focused effort, especially in math where point gains tend to come faster, reaching 1100 or 1150 on the SAT is a realistic and meaningful goal.