Compare PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT to SAT: Math

Compare Math content in the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT to help understand how to use the assessments over time.

  SAT PSAT 10 and
PSAT/NMSQT
Time Allotted Amount % of Test Amount % of Test
Total 80 minutes 100% 70 minutes 100%
Calculator Permitted Section 55 minutes 69% 45 minutes 64%
Calculator Not Permitted Section 25 minutes 31% 25 minutes 36%
Questions Number % of Test Number % of Test
Total 58 100% 48 100%
Multiple Choice
(4 options)
45 78% 40 83%
Student-Produced Response (grid-in) 13 22% 8 17%
Content Categories
Heart of Algebra 19 questions 33% 16 questions 33%
Problem Solving and Data Analysis 17 questions 29% 16 questions 33%
Passport to Advanced Math 16 questions 29% 14 questions 29%
Additional Topics in Math* 6 questions 10% 2 questions 4%
Contribution of Items to Cross-Test Scores
Analysis in Science 8 questions 14% 7 questions 15%
Analysis in History/Social Studies 8 questions 14% 7 questions 15%
*Questions in Additional Topics in Math contribute to the total Math Test score but don’t contribute to a subscore within the Math Test.
Math Calculator Permitted Section Specifications
  SAT PSAT 10 and
PSAT/NMSQT
Question Type Number % of Test Number % of Test
Total 38 100% 31 100%
Multiple Choice
(4 options)
30 79% 27 87%
Student-Produced Response (grid-in) 8 21% 4 13%
Content Categories
Total 38 100% 31 100%
Heart of Algebra 11 29% 8 26%
Problem Solving and Data Analysis 17 45% 16 52%
Passport to Advanced Math 7 18% 6 19%
Additional Topics in Math 3 8% 1 3%
Time Allocated 55 minutes 45 minutes
Math Calculator Not Permitted Section Specifications
  SAT PSAT 10 and
PSAT/NMSQT
Question Type Number % of Test Number % of Test
Total 20 100% 17 100%
Multiple Choice
(4 options)
15 75% 13 76%
Student-Produced Response (grid-in) 5 25% 4 24%
Content Categories
Total 20 100% 17 100%
Heart of Algebra 8 40% 8 47%
Passport to Advanced Math 9 45% 8 47%
Additional Topics in Math 3 15% 1 6%
Time Allocated 25 minutes 25 minutes