A 1350 on the PSAT is an excellent score, placing you at or above the 95th percentile among students who take the test. That means you scored higher than roughly 95 out of every 100 test-takers, putting you well into the top tier nationally.
Where 1350 Ranks Among All Students
The PSAT/NMSQT is scored on a scale of 320 to 1520, so 1350 lands in the upper range. College Board reports two types of percentiles for this score. The “nationally representative” percentile, which estimates how you’d compare against all U.S. students in your grade (not just those who took the test), comes in at 98 for both 10th and 11th graders. The “user group” percentile, based on actual scores from students who sat for the PSAT over the past three years, is 98 for 10th graders and 95 for 11th graders.
The small gap between those two numbers for 11th graders reflects the fact that the pool of students who actually take the PSAT tends to be slightly more academically motivated than the overall student population. Either way, a 1350 is a standout result at any grade level.
National Merit Scholarship Implications
One of the biggest reasons students care about their PSAT score is the National Merit Scholarship Program. If you took the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade, your score is automatically entered into consideration. The program uses a Selection Index, calculated by doubling your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score, adding your Math section score, and dividing the total by ten.
Each year, about 50,000 students are recognized as high scorers. Roughly 34,000 of them are named Commended Students based on a single nationwide cutoff score. The remaining 16,000 or so qualify as Semifinalists, representing less than 1% of all graduating seniors. Semifinalist cutoffs are set state by state, so the qualifying Selection Index varies depending on where you live. More competitive states require higher scores.
With a total score of 1350, you are very likely to qualify as a Commended Student and are in strong contention for Semifinalist status in many states. Whether you clear the Semifinalist threshold depends on how your section scores break down into the Selection Index and on your state’s specific cutoff for that year. Check your score report for your Selection Index number, then compare it against your state’s published cutoff once it’s released in the fall of your senior year.
What 1350 Suggests About Your SAT Potential
The PSAT is designed as a practice version of the SAT, and the two tests share the same format and question types. The SAT simply has a slightly higher ceiling (1600 vs. 1520) and a longer testing window. Because the tests are so closely aligned, your PSAT score is a strong predictor of SAT performance.
A PSAT score of 1350 generally corresponds to an SAT score in the 1420 to 1440 range, based on concordance tables used by colleges. That projected SAT range would make you competitive at a wide swath of selective universities. Of course, your actual SAT result will depend on how much additional preparation you do and how you perform on test day, but starting from a 1350 PSAT gives you a very strong foundation.
How Colleges View This Score Range
Colleges don’t see your PSAT score directly. It doesn’t appear on your application, and admissions offices don’t request it. What the score tells you is where you’re likely to land on the SAT (or ACT, if you choose that route), and that’s the number colleges will actually evaluate.
An SAT score in the low-to-mid 1400s, which your PSAT performance suggests is well within reach, falls within the middle 50% range at many highly selective schools. For the most competitive institutions, you may want to aim higher with targeted SAT prep, but you’re starting from a position of strength. For the vast majority of four-year colleges, a score in that range will be well above the median admitted student.
Making the Most of a Strong PSAT Score
If you scored 1350 as a sophomore, you still have time to take the PSAT again in 11th grade, which is the only administration that counts for National Merit. Use your score report to identify which question types or content areas cost you the most points, then focus your study time there.
If you scored 1350 as a junior, your National Merit entry is already set, and your next step is SAT preparation. Review the areas where you lost points on the PSAT and prioritize those in your SAT study plan. Many students see a meaningful score increase simply because they’re more familiar with the test format and pacing the second time around. A few months of focused practice on your weaker sections can push your SAT score above what the concordance tables predict.