The PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, is a standardized test taken by high school students in the United States. The PSAT is offered twice a year, in October and April, and is used to prepare students for the SAT, the college entrance exam.

The PSAT math section is divided into two parts: Math with Calculator and Math without Calculator. The Math with Calculator section consists of 17 questions that must be completed in 25 minutes. The Math without Calculator section consists of 17 questions that must be completed in 20 minutes.
The PSAT math section is designed to test students’ knowledge of a variety of math topics, including algebra, geometry, and statistics. The topics covered on the PSAT math section are similar to the topics covered on the SAT math section, so taking the PSAT can be a good way to prepare for the SAT.
How to Prepare for the PSAT Math Section
There are a number of things you can do to prepare for the PSAT math section. Here are a few tips:
- Take a practice test. The best way to prepare for the PSAT math section is to take a practice test. This will help you get a feel for the types of questions that will be on the test and how much time you will have to answer each question.
- Review the math topics that will be covered on the test. The PSAT math section covers a wide range of math topics, so it is important to review all of the topics that will be covered on the test. You can find a list of the topics that will be covered on the PSAT math section on the College Board website.
- Practice solving math problems. The best way to improve your math skills is to practice solving math problems. You can find practice problems in a variety of places, such as online, in textbooks, and in workbooks.
- Get help from a tutor. If you are struggling with a particular math topic, you may want to get help from a tutor. A tutor can help you understand the topic and can provide you with practice problems to help you improve your skills.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on the PSAT Math Section
There are a number of common mistakes that students make on the PSAT math section. Here are a few tips to avoid these mistakes:
- Don’t guess. If you don’t know how to solve a problem, don’t guess. Guessing will only hurt your score.
- Don’t spend too much time on any one problem. If you are struggling with a particular problem, move on to the next problem. You can always come back to the problem later if you have time.
- Check your work. Once you have answered a problem, check your work to make sure that you got the correct answer.
Why the PSAT Math Section Matters
The PSAT math section is important for a number of reasons. First, the PSAT math section is a good indicator of how well you will do on the SAT math section. The SAT is a college entrance exam, so doing well on the SAT math section can help you get into the college of your choice.
Second, the PSAT math section can help you identify areas where you need to improve your math skills. If you score poorly on a particular topic on the PSAT math section, you can focus on improving your skills in that area.
Third, the PSAT math section can help you prepare for the math that you will encounter in college. College math is more challenging than high school math, so doing well on the PSAT math section can help you make a smooth transition to college math.
Benefits of Taking the PSAT Math Section
Taking the PSAT math section has a number of benefits. Here are a few of the benefits:
- It can help you prepare for the SAT math section. The PSAT math section is very similar to the SAT math section, so taking the PSAT math section can help you get a feel for the types of questions that will be on the SAT math section and how much time you will have to answer each question.
- It can help you identify areas where you need to improve your math skills. If you score poorly on a particular topic on the PSAT math section, you can focus on improving your skills in that area.
- It can help you prepare for the math that you will encounter in college. College math is more challenging than high school math, so doing well on the PSAT math section can help you make a smooth transition to college math.
- It can help you get into the college of your choice. The SAT is a college entrance exam, so doing well on the SAT math section can help you get into the college of your choice.
Conclusion
The PSAT math section is an important part of the PSAT. By preparing for the PSAT math section, you can improve your chances of getting a good score on the PSAT and the SAT.
Tables
- Table 1: PSAT Math Section Topics
- Table 2: Common Mistakes to Avoid on the PSAT Math Section
- Table 3: Why the PSAT Math Section Matters
- Table 4: Benefits of Taking the PSAT Math Section