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
Graphics	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)