PSAT Practice Test

Section 1: Reading Test
Time: 60 minutes | 47 Questions

Directions:

Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Choose the best answer for each question and mark it on your answer sheet.

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Passage 1 – Literature

Adapted from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (1813)

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.

1. The tone of the opening sentence can best be described as:
   A) Sarcastic
   B) Mournful
   C) Optimistic
   D) Indifferent
2. The phrase “rightful property” implies that the families view the wealthy man as:
   A) A potential criminal
   B) A financial burden
   C) A means to secure marriage for their daughters
   D) An unwelcome stranger

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Passage 2 – Science

Adapted from an article on climate change

Recent studies indicate that rising global temperatures are accelerating the melting of polar ice caps. This phenomenon contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities. Scientists warn that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the effects could become irreversible within decades.

3. The primary purpose of this passage is to:
   A) Entertain readers with a story about polar bears
   B) Inform readers about the consequences of climate change
   C) Argue against scientific research
   D) Promote tourism in polar regions
4. Based on the passage, which action would scientists most likely support?
   A) Increasing fossil fuel consumption
   B) Expanding coastal cities
   C) Reducing carbon emissions
   D) Ignoring climate data

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Passage 3 – History/Social Studies

Adapted from the U.S. Constitution

The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition the government. It prevents Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely.

5. The First Amendment primarily protects:
   A) Economic regulations
   B) Individual liberties
   C) Military authority
   D) Taxation policies
6. Which of the following would be protected under the First Amendment?
   A) A protest against government policy
   B) A violent attack on a public official
   C) A law banning certain religions
   D) A restriction on publishing news

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Section 2: Writing and Language Test

Time: 35 minutes | 44 Questions

Directions:

Each passage has underlined portions. Choose the best revision for grammar, clarity, and accuracy.

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Passage 1

(1) Many students struggles with time management. (2) They often find themselves overwhelmed by homework, extracurricular activities, and social commitments. (3) Experts suggest that creating a schedule can help students stay organized and reduce stress.

7. Which correction should be made to sentence (1)?
   A) Change “struggles” to “struggle”
   B) Change “students” to “student’s”
   C) Add a comma after “students”
   D) No change needed
8. Which sentence best concludes the paragraph?
   A) Time management is unimportant.
   B) Therefore, learning to manage time effectively is crucial for success.
   C) Some students prefer not to study.
   D) Experts know everything.

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Section 3: Math Test – No Calculator

Time: 25 minutes | 17 Questions

Directions:

Solve each problem and select the best answer.

9. If ( 3x + 5 = 20 ), what is the value of ( x )?
   A) 5
   B) 6
   C) 7
   D) 8
10. A rectangle has a length of 8 and a width of 4. What is its perimeter?
    A) 12
    B) 24
    C) 32
    D) 48

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Section 4: Math Test – Calculator

Time: 45 minutes | 31 Questions

11. If ( y = 2x + 3 ) and ( x = 4 ), what is ( y )?
    A) 5
    B) 9
    C) 11
    D) 14
12. A store offers a 20% discount on a $50 item. What is the final price?
    A) $10
    B) $30
    C) $40
    D) $45

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Answer Key

1. A
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. B
6. A
7. A
8. B
9. A
10. B
11. C
12. C

PSAT Practice Test

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Section 1: Reading Test (20 Questions, 30 minutes)

Directions:

Read each passage and answer the questions. Choose the best answer based on the text.

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Passage 1 – Literature (Questions 1-4)

Adapted from Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” (1847)

“There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner, the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so somber, and a rain so penetrating, that further outdoor exercise was now out of the question.”

1. The mood of the passage is best described as:
   A) Joyful
   B) Gloomy
   C) Exciting
   D) Humorous
2. The phrase “leafless shrubbery” suggests that the season is:
   A) Spring
   B) Summer
   C) Autumn
   D) Winter
3. Why was outdoor exercise no longer possible?
   A) The characters were tired
   B) The weather became harsh
   C) They preferred indoor games
   D) The shrubbery was overgrown
4. The narrator’s tone can be described as:
   A) Sarcastic
   B) Matter-of-fact
   C) Angry
   D) Hopeful

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Passage 2 – Science (Questions 5-8)

Adapted from an article on photosynthesis

Plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Chlorophyll, a green pigment in leaves, absorbs light, which helps transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Without this process, life on Earth would not be sustainable.

5. The main purpose of photosynthesis is to:
   A) Create oxygen and glucose
   B) Increase soil nutrients
   C) Change leaf colors
   D) Absorb water from air
6. Chlorophyll is essential because it:
   A) Releases carbon dioxide
   B) Absorbs sunlight
   C) Produces water
   D) Prevents plant diseases
7. What would happen if photosynthesis stopped?
   A) Plants would grow faster
   B) Life on Earth would be threatened
   C) The air would become cleaner
   D) Animals would need less oxygen
8. Which word best describes the author’s tone?
   A) Humorous
   B) Pessimistic
   C) Informative
   D) Sarcastic

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Passage 3 – History/Social Studies (Questions 9-12)

Adapted from the U.S. Bill of Rights

The Second Amendment states: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

9. The primary purpose of the Second Amendment is to:
   A) Ban all weapons
   B) Protect gun ownership rights
   C) Establish a national army
   D) Regulate hunting licenses
10. The phrase “shall not be infringed” means that the right to bear arms:
    A) Can be restricted by the government
    B) Must not be violated
    C) Applies only to soldiers
    D) Is outdated
11. Which group would most likely support the Second Amendment?
    A) Advocates for strict gun control
    B) Supporters of individual firearm ownership
    C) Opponents of self-defense laws
    D) Activists for police disarmament
12. The word “Militia” refers to:
    A) A professional army
    B) A group of civilian soldiers
    C) A foreign military force
    D) A police department

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Section 2: Writing and Language (15 Questions, 20 minutes)

Directions:

Improve the underlined portions for grammar, clarity, and conciseness.

13. (1) The team were playing well, but they lost the game in the final minutes.
    A) was playing
    B) is playing
    C) are playing
    D) No change
14. (2) She wanted to quickly finish her homework before dinner.
    A) finish quickly her
    B) quickly to finish her
    C) to finish her quickly
    D) No change
15. (3) Running late, the bus was missed by Sarah.
    A) Sarah missed the bus
    B) The bus was missed by Sarah
    C) Missing the bus, Sarah
    D) No change
16. (4) The book was interesting, it kept me engaged for hours.
    A) interesting; it
    B) interesting, and it
    C) interesting it
    D) No change

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Section 3: Math – No Calculator (10 Questions, 15 minutes)

17. If ( 5x + 3 = 23 ), what is ( x )?
    A) 2
    B) 4
    C) 5
    D) 6
18. Simplify: ( 3(2x – 5) + 4 )
    A) ( 6x – 11 )
    B) ( 6x – 1 )
    C) ( 5x – 11 )
    D) ( 5x – 1 )
19. What is the slope of the line ( y = -2x + 7 )?
    A) 2
    B) -2
    C) 7
    D) -7
20. If a triangle has angles of ( 30° ) and ( 60° ), what is the third angle?
    A) ( 60° )
    B) ( 90° )
    C) ( 120° )
    D) ( 180° )

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Section 4: Math – Calculator (15 Questions, 25 minutes)

21. A laptop costs $800 after a 20% discount. What was the original price?
    A) $640
    B) $900
    C) $1,000
    D) $1,200
22. If ( 2^3 \times 2^4 = 2^x ), what is ( x )?
    A) 5
    B) 7
    C) 12
    D) 64
23. The mean of five numbers is 10. If four numbers are 8, 10, 12, and 14, what is the fifth number?
    A) 6
    B) 8
    C) 10
    D) 12

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Answer Key

1. B
2. D
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. B
10. B
11. B
12. B
13. A
14. D
15. A
16. B
17. B
18. A
19. B
20. B
21. C
22. B
23. A

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PSAT Practice Test
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Sections: Reading, Writing & Language, Math (No Calculator & Calculator)

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Section 1: Reading Test (45 minutes, 35 questions)

Passage 1 (Literature – Fiction)
Excerpt from “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

1. The phrase “Maycomb was an old town” (Line 1) primarily serves to:
   a) Introduce the town’s geography
   b) Establish the setting’s historical context
   c) Contrast with modern cities
   d) Explain economic conditions
2. Scout’s description of her father suggests he is:
   a) Strict and unyielding
   b) Respected and principled
   c) Distant and uncaring
   d) Humorous and carefree

Passage 2 (Science – Data Analysis)
Graph showing plant growth under different light conditions

3. According to the data, plants grew tallest under:
   a) Red light
   b) Blue light
   c) Natural sunlight
   d) Green light
4. The experiment suggests that:
   a) All light colors are equally effective
   b) Wavelength affects photosynthesis
   c) Plants don’t need light to grow
   d) Artificial light is always harmful

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Section 2: Writing & Language (30 minutes, 30 questions)

Passage with Errors

5. “The team (was/were) divided in their opinions about the new policy.”
   a) was
   b) were
   c) is
   d) are
6. Which choice best combines these sentences?
   “The concert was loud. It lasted three hours.”
   a) The concert was loud, it lasted three hours.
   b) The loud concert lasted three hours.
   c) Being loud, the three-hour concert.
   d) The concert was loud and three hours.

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Section 3: Math – No Calculator (20 minutes, 15 questions)

7. If 3x + 7 = 22, what is x?
   a) 5
   b) 6
   c) 7
   d) 8
8. Simplify: (2x²)(3x³)
   a) 5x⁵
   b) 6x⁵
   c) 6x⁶
   d) 5x⁶

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Section 4: Math – Calculator (35 minutes, 30 questions)

9. A shirt costs $32 after a 20% discount. What was the original price?
   a) $36
   b) $38
   c) $40
   d) $42
10. The area of a circle is 50π. What is its radius?
    a) 5
    b) 5√2
    c) 10
    d) 25

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Answer Key:
1-b, 2-b, 3-c, 4-b, 5-a, 6-b, 7-a, 8-b, 9-c, 10-b