Compare PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT to SAT: Reading

Compare Reading 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 65 minutes 60 minutes
Passage Word Count 3,250 words total from 4 single passages and 1 pair; 500–750 words per passage or paired set 3,000 words total from 4 single passages and 1 pair; 500–750 words per passage or paired set
Questions Number % of Test Number % of Test
Total 52 100% 47 100%
Words in Context* 10 19% 10 21%
Command of Evidence* 10 19% 10 21%
Analysis in History/Social Studies** 21 40% 19 40%
Analysis in Science** 21 40% 19 40%
*Across Reading and Writing and Language Tests
**Across Math, Reading, and Writing and Language Tests
Reading Passage Content
  SAT PSAT 10 and
PSAT/NMSQT
Element Number % of Test Number % of Test
U.S. and World Literature 1 passage; 10 questions 20% 1 passage; 9 questions 20%
History/Social Studies 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair 40% 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair 40%
Science 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair 40% 2 passages, or 1 passage and 1 pair 40%
Graphics Number Number
1–2 graphics in 1 History/Social Studies and 1 Science passage 1–2 graphics in 1 History/Social Studies and 1 Science passage
Text and Graphical Complexity
  SAT PSAT 10 and
PSAT/NMSQT
Text Complexity A range from grades 9–10 to first year of college across 4 passages and 1 pair A range from grades 9–10 to first year of college across 4 passages and 1 pair
Graphical Data Representations
(tables, graphs, charts, etc.)
Somewhat challenging to challenging (moderate to moderately high data density, few to several variables, moderately challenging to moderately complex interactions) Somewhat challenging to challenging (moderate to moderately high data density, few to several variables, moderately challenging to moderately complex interactions)