PSAT Math Prep
A focused prep course for the PSAT/NMSQT math sections, building the algebra, data, and problem-solving skills that also qualify juniors for National Merit.
Difficulty
Moderate
Popularity
46%
Past questions
6
Study tips
10
Key Topics
Exam Format & Dates
October, annually
70 minutes (Math)
160–760 (Math)
Selection Index 210+ for National Merit
| Section | Duration | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | 35 minutes | 22 questions | 50% |
| Module 2 (adaptive) | 35 minutes | 22 questions | 50% |
Exam Breakdown & Insights
Difficulty · Challenging
Popularity score
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Study Tips
- 1
After solving a problem, check your answer by substitution or estimation to catch sign and arithmetic errors.
- 2
Do practice problems every day — math is learned by doing, not by re-reading notes.
- 3
Keep an error log: write down every mistake, why it happened, and redo the problem a week later.
- 4
Take full-length, timed practice tests under real conditions — stamina and pacing matter as much as content.
- 5
Review every wrong answer until you can explain why the right answer is right and yours was wrong, then log the mistake.
- 6
Learn the recurring question types — the SAT and ACT reuse the same patterns every administration, so familiarity is free points.
- 7
Master pacing: know your per-question time budget and practice skip-and-return so you never leave easy points behind.
- 8
Use aggressive elimination — rule out wrong choices on every question before you commit to an answer.
- 9
Attack your weakest section with focused drills between full tests; a few points per section compound fast into a big composite gain.
- 10
Simulate test day exactly — same start time, same breaks, no phone — so the real thing feels routine.
Past Exam Questions
Define the key terms involved in Heart of Algebra and state any formula or rule you would use, explaining what each symbol represents.
A problem involves Problem Solving & Data. Set it up carefully, solve it showing every step of your working, and check that your answer is reasonable.
Prove or justify a general result relating to Passport to Advanced Math, then apply it to a specific case and interpret what the result means in context.
Define the key terms involved in Geometry & Trig and state any formula or rule you would use, explaining what each symbol represents.
A problem involves Calculator Strategy. Set it up carefully, solve it showing every step of your working, and check that your answer is reasonable.
Prove or justify a general result relating to National Merit Prep, then apply it to a specific case and interpret what the result means in context.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕
Skipping steps in working, which throws away method marks when the final answer is wrong.
- ✕
Not sanity-checking answers for reasonableness (wrong units, impossible magnitudes, extraneous solutions).
- ✕
Dropping negative signs and misapplying the order of operations under time pressure.
Official Resources
Free, official study material for PSAT Math Prep — always start with the source your exam board publishes.
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