College Admissions

Prepping for Success: Insights from the Recent Digital PSAT

With the recent administration of the new Digital PSAT, high school students have glimpsed the new era of standardized testing—and it’s adaptive and digital.

Looking for information about the exam itself? Read Navigating the New Digital PSAT.

The Digital PSAT is critical for helping students prep for the Digital SAT, so let’s review four ways that you can make the most of your PSAT experience to maximize your SAT score!

Use your score to create a roadmap for success

Your Digital PSAT score report can unveil strengths and highlight areas for improvement. Use your score report as a roadmap to identify knowledge gaps and tailor your test-preparation strategies for the Digital SAT®. Celebrate your achievements, but don’t shy away from the questions you may have gotten wrong—review those questions, figure out the correct answers, and learn from the process!

Identify and address knowledge gaps

As you work through questions you missed, pay attention to the patterns you see. The data from your College Board account will offer insightful question-level feedback on your Digital PSAT performance. By analyzing the difficulty level of questions and the question types you struggled with, you can glean valuable insights into what you should focus on as you prep for the Digital SAT.

As you look at question types, drill down by subject. Recognizing question types in math and English can help you target your prep for the Digital SAT. In the math section, for instance, you might encounter questions that focus on linear equations (such as y = mx + b) or systems of equations, where you’re given more than one equation to solve. In English, you might find words-in-context questions that require you to revisit the text for evidence. Understanding the question types you need to focus on—and closing any knowledge gaps you identify—will help you achieve test-taking success.

Practice, practice, practice

Once you’ve targeted your prep and enhanced your skills, give yourself as many opportunities as possible to practice in a realistic setting. Sign up for a free practice Digital SAT, and use that opportunity to put your newly learned skills to the (literal) test!

Embrace the journey

When you embrace a growth mindset, each mistake on the Digital PSAT becomes an opportunity for learning and improvement. Insights from your Digital PSAT exam will help you identify your strengths and address areas of improvement. These skills will serve you well on the exam. Even better, as you advance in your studies, that mindset will help you confidently succeed in your academic pursuits and beyond.

To learn more about the Digital PSAT best practices and testing strategies, check out our webinar below!