The PSAT is more than a practice test.

Choose your ideal learning method. Learn study skills and helpful testing techniques. Then, conquer the PSAT.

Private tutoring, or our targeted PSAT Courses

The PSAT is the first step.

CollegeBoard makes the PSAT to help prepare students for the SAT. The main difference is that the PSAT is only offered once a year -- and it can help students qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, among others. Let us help your student get a head-start.

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+130
Average PSAT point spike for students working with Applerouth (who do 20 hours of private tutoring and 85% of their homework)!

Test prep your way.

Choose your ideal learning method. We offer private tutoring as well as our special PSAT courses: Foundations of the PSAT, and Master the PSAT. These courses accommodate students no matter their level of subject matter knowledge. Solidify your foundation, or build upon it.

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Hours

The hours you need. No more, no less.

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Delivery Method

Choose group or private.

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Tutors

Select the level of your tutor.

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Flexible

Anywhere.
Any time.

What's the format like?

Like the Digital SAT, the Digital PSAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes long. The Reading & Writing section and Math section content and lengths are the same. This preliminary test is slightly easier overall; but the content, structure, and style of questions on the two exams are very similar.

A 32-minute baseline module to kick things off.

It includes 27 questions, each from its own passage.

32
Minutes
27
Questions
Literature
Social Science
Poetry
Natural Science
History
Humanities

Distribution of topics varies. Easier adaptive modules tend to focus on literature; harder adaptive modules tend to focus on humanities.

Half reading. Half grammar and editing. Adapted to your skill level.

Either easier or harder – this is determined by how you did on the baseline. It includes 27 questions, each from its own passage.

32
Minutes
27
Questions
Break
10 Min

A 35-minute baseline module to gauge where you’re at.

It’s made up of 22 questions & provides formula references – with a Desmos calculator included.

35
Minutes
22
Questions

A 35-minute adaptive module.

Either easier or harder – this is determined by how you did on the baseline. It includes 22 questions & provides formula references – and a built-in graphing calculator.

35
Minutes
22
Questions

Applerouth's Process

From advisement to post-service follow up, we come alongside you on your journey.

1. Craft a plan.

Schedule an appointment with a Program Director to discuss which of our learning experiences would work best for you.

2. Tutor matching.

Get matched to the perfect tutor for you, based on learning needs, personality, and educational goals.

3. Start learning.

Make leaps and bounds in whatever it is you need help with the most - and then some. Get ready to feel more confident by the end.

Meet Some of Our Amazing Tutors

They all bring something unique to the table meaning there's a good match for every student. What they all have in common? An insatiable drive to help your student succeed.

Jenna B.
11
+ Years of Tutoring Experience

Jenna is a Premium Tutor, the D.C. area Tutor Manager, and the IEC Account Manager for DC, Maryland, and Virginia. She's worked with over 175 Applerouth students since joining the team in 2012 and is the most-requested tutor in the D.C. area. She's also tutored multiple students to perfect section scores on both the SAT and ACT. A native of Arlington, Virginia, Jenna attended the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar, where she earned a B.A. in English (with distinction) and a minor in Theatre. Jenna spent five years in London, honing her acting skills at LAMDA, before returning to D.C. When it comes to tutoring, Jenna's style is encouraging and reassuring. "Don't let the test get inside your head," she says. "And remember - it's always simpler than you think."

When she's not tutoring, you can find Jenna rooting for the Nats, reading, and playing with dogs.
What Parents are Saying
"Jenna is the best! She really understood my son's needs and tailored her work to what he needed. She was patient and understanding. And, of course, my son's SAT scores improved. Working with Jenna was an all around great experience."
Chelsea B.
2
+ Years of Tutoring Experience

Chelsea is both a Premium Tutor and the Seattle area Tutor Manager, and she has worked with over 200 Applerouth students since joining the team. She is in the top 10% of Most Requested Tutors and has helped multiple students earn perfect section scores on both the SAT and ACT. A Florida native, Chelsea participated in the International Baccalaureate program in high school. She then went on to earn both a Bachelor's in Biological Science and a Master's in Biology and Science Education, both from Florida State University. During her time at FSU, she worked in a laboratory and taught college-level science classes to undergraduates. She has experience teaching a wide range of students, both individually and in groups. Chelsea takes a student-led approach to tutoring, saying, "I do not give direct answers to students; instead, I prefer to ask questions that help the student work out a problem-solving process that they can apply in the future."

When she's not tutoring, Chelsea enjoys rock-climbing, cooking and playing bass guitar.
What Parents are Saying
"Chelsea is an amazing tutor: intelligent, reliable, and can relate the material in a way that her student understands."
Jeff F.
10
+ Years of Tutoring Experience

Jeff is a Premium Tutor who has worked with over 350 students since joining the Applerouth team in 2012. A professional with degrees in both political science and teaching, Jeff has worked with multiple students who have gone on to achieve perfect section scores on their college admissions tests. He also assists our creative team by editing content for our books. Jeff believes that effective practice requires students to have a goal in mind: "To use a baseball analogy, smart ballplayers don't try to hit home runs in batting practice. Rather, they simulate game situations and ask themselves, "Given this situation, how would I react?" Similarly, whenever you do your homework or take a mock test, you should always practice with a purpose in mind."

When he's not tutoring, you can find Jeff hiking, traveling, or volunteering.
What Parents are Saying
"Jeff has been a wonderful communicator with us as parents! My daughter has mentioned several times how helpful and clear Jeff is in their sessions. I appreciate his session feedback and look forward to seeing the results of this partnership!"
Tom B.
12
+ Years of Tutoring Experience

Tom is a longtime Premium Tutor and the Director of Tutor Services here at Applerouth. Tom earned a Bachelors of Science with a Double Major in Economics and Finance Magna Cum Laude at the University of South Alabama before earning his MBA from the University of Rochester, focusing on both Corporate Accounting and Finance. After working in the finance world for several years, Tom went back to school, earned teaching certifications in Broad Field Business, Economics, and History at the University of Georgia, and taught high school for over 13 years. Since joining the team in 2011, Tom has tutored over 850 students and is one of our Top 10 Most-Requested Tutors of all time. Tom has tutored multiple students who have achieved perfect section scores and perfect composite scores on the SAT and ACT. He sums up his tutoring philosophy simply and decisively: "Take a two pronged approach: master the material and master the test."

When Tom isn't tutoring, you can find him fishing, driving his trademark red Camaro, and - most importantly - spending time with his family.
What Parents are Saying
"Tom is an amazing tutor; he does a great job of preparing his students and really connects with them. Fabulous!"
Sarah F.
10
+ Years of Tutoring Experience

Sarah is a Premium Tutor who has tutored over 140 students since joining the team in 2013. Sarah earned a degree in Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College before moving on to do graduate work in Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science at Georgia Tech. Once she started PhD work, however, she realized that her true love was teaching, rather than research. She tutors SAT/ACT, math of all levels, as well as chemistry, physics and other sciences. Sarah's broad base of knowledge, combined with her dedication to her students, has cemented her place in our top 10% of Most Requested Tutors. Her dedication pays off: several of her students have achieved perfect section or composite scores in their SATs and ACTs. In addition to tutoring, Sarah serves as our Math Specialist, creating content for our books and online practice; she is the Applerouth authority on the SAT and ACT's math problems! Sarah's tutoring philosophy focuses on breaking difficult problems into steps: "It is good to keep the big picture in mind, but the best approach to most any problem is to take things one step at a time.

The small steps can be completely manageable even when the big picture seems overwhelming." When Sarah isn't tutoring, she knits, bakes, and sings in a choir.
What Parents are Saying
"My daughter likes Sarah's style and the way she helps her break things into pieces. She feels that Sarah is already helping her better understand the concepts."
Shara-Sue C.
9
+ Years of Tutoring Experience

Shara-Sue is a Premium Tutor and a Tutor Manager for the Atlanta and Chicago markets. Since joining Applerouth in 2014, Shara-Sue has tutored over 1,000 students, several of whom have gone on to achieve perfect section scores on both the SAT and ACT. Shara-Sue's dedication and infectious enthusiasm are impossible to miss: she is one of Applerouth's Top 10 Most Requested Tutors and won the company-wide Above and Beyond Award in 2015 for her willingness to go the extra mile for her students and their families. Before joining Applerouth, Shara-Sue taught in the public school system for several years. Shara-Sue describes her tutoring style as "lively, adaptive, energetic, visual, and auditory." She works hard to empower her students and build their confidence as they get ready for test day.

When she's not tutoring, Shara-Sue creates art, travels everywhere she can, and enjoys all the cultural and artistic events Atlanta has to offer!
What Parents are Saying
"Shara-Sue is the most incredible tutor! We are so appreciative of her and of Applerouth's matching us with her. We are so thrilled with the help and leadership she has provided our daughters, who adore her. She is truly wonderful."

PSAT Test and Registration Dates

The PSAT is offered once per year — between October 2nd through October 31st. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time preparing beforehand so you can make it count!

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Check with your school to find out the next PSAT date.

Learn more about the PSAT

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xx minutes

The Publics are Next to Reinstate Testing Requirements

In another major piece of college admissions news, UT Austin has announced that it will return to test-required admissions. As a wide array of other elite public universities consider the same move, this decision is certain to send ripples throughout the collegiate landscape.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
March 11, 2024

Yale Reinstates Testing Requirements and Provides Insights into Test-Optional Admissions

Less than three weeks after Dartmouth reinstated its SAT/ACT requirements, Yale suspended its own test-optional experiment and officially reinstated standardized testing requirements for all applicants. However, unlike Dartmouth, Georgetown or MIT, Yale is allowing students to submit AP scores or IB scores in lieu of an ACT or an SAT score, to satisfy the testing requirement.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
March 7, 2024

A New Era for Duke University: Embracing a Test-Optional Future and Rethinking Admissions Essays

Duke University is affirming its test-optional admissions policy by removing standardized testing from its quantitative rating of applicants, as it simultaneously removes admissions essays from the same algorithm. Here's what it means for students.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
March 7, 2024

Brown University Reinstates Admission Testing Requirement

Like MIT, Dartmouth and Yale, Brown has now joined the ranks of top-ranking universities who are following their institutional data and reinstating test requirements for admissions. Here's what that means for you.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
March 7, 2024

Where a 5 Really Matters

The whole point of standardized tests is that they’re… standardized. A 5 on an AP test should mean the same thing regardless of which test it is. Well, not quite! Our AP Student Score Distribution chart shows which tests have more student scoring higher - but don’t think that makes those tests easy!

Jenna Berk
February 29, 2024

Dartmouth Reinstates SAT & ACT Requirements

Dartmouth joined the ranks of Georgetown and MIT in Febraury 2024 when it announced a move back to test-required admissions. Our founder Jed Applerouth, PhD examimes the data-driven reasons for the decision, as well as its implications in the wider admissions landscape.

Jed Applerouth, PhD
February 8, 2024
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Take a Free Practice Test

Are you ready to take an online practice test? You’ll love how detailed our score reports are.

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Schedule an appointment with a Program Director.

Questions? Need some advice? We're here to help.

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