PSAT & SAT
The PSAT is the practice version of the SAT and focuses on the knowledge, skills and understandings that are most important for college and career readiness and success. The SAT is taken in high school to measure readiness for college and to use as an admissions test when applying to colleges and universities.
Length of test: Approximately 2.5 hours
Required by: State
PSAT
The PSAT tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT in a way that makes sense for ninth and 10th graders. It builds on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests in English language arts, math, science and social studies. The PSAT also aligns with Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) and with the SAT that students will take in 11th grade. In addition to helping students practice for the SAT, it can identify students’ potential for success in advanced coursework. It provides data on academic strengths and weaknesses.
SAT
The SAT is closely aligned to the challenging classroom work of Colorado schools and focuses on the key skills and concepts that evidence shows matter most for college and career readiness, including:
- Mathematical concepts, skills and practices important for career training programs.
- Reading, comprehending and writing high-quality essays supported by evidence.
The SAT also serves as an admission test and is accepted by colleges across the United States. At the time of testing, students can send their scores to up to four colleges for free. The SAT essay is optional and voluntary and can be added at no cost to students. All students who are enrolled in 11th grade at a Colorado public high school are eligible to take the SAT. Results from the SAT are one method for students to fulfill the Colorado Graduation Readiness Requirements.
PSAT and SAT Practice Options
There are a number of free ways to practice for the PSAT and SAT.
Full-Length Practice Tests Official SAT Practice with Khan Academy
PSAT and SAT Benchmarks and Graduation Requirements
|
EBRW Benchmark |
EBRW Graduation Requirement |
Math Benchmark |
Math Graduation Requirement |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PSAT 9 |
410 |
N/A |
450 |
N/A |
|
PSAT 10 |
430 |
N/A |
480 |
N/A |
|
SAT |
480 |
470 |
530 |
480* |
The SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) benchmark is the SAT EBRW section score associated with a 75% chance of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing, college-level courses in history, literature, social science or writing.
The SAT Math benchmark is the SAT Math section score associated with a 75% chance of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing, college-level courses in algebra, statistics, precalculus or calculus.
*Due to the changes in the new online P/SAT, CDE revised the SAT math graduation cut score guidelines to 480 from 500 for 2025 and 2026 graduates.
PSAT and SAT Resources
The College Board website contains information on upcoming national SAT test days along with the registration process and fee information for families.
Score Interpretation Resources
SAT Suite of Assessments My Score Reports Login Understanding SAT Scores Understanding PSAT 8/9 Scores Understanding PSAT/NMSQT Scores Understanding and Using Scores from the SAT Suite of Assessments Who Will See My PSAT/NMSQT Scores?
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