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The PSAT Cheat Sheet

Everything a first-timer needs to know: how the test is timed and scored, what the screen looks like, the Reading & Writing rules that get tested, and the Desmos hacks most students never get shown. 5 printable pages.

$17

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Rebecca BeardFounder of Niceville Tutoring. Takes the SAT every year so her students never walk in blind.

The PSAT Cheat Sheet pages fanned out with a $17 badge

Why I made this

Most students walk into the PSAT knowing almost nothing about it — what's on it, how it's timed, or that the calculator is already built in. For years I've handed my own students a one-page version of this before test day. This is that sheet, cleaned up and expanded so you can use it too.

Rebecca Beard, Founder of Niceville Tutoring

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Who it's for

Sophomores taking it for practiceWalk in knowing the format instead of figuring it out on the clock.

Juniors going for National MeritReading & Writing counts double. The sheet tells you where the points are.

Parents who want one clear pagePrint it, hand it over, done. No account to log into on test morning.

A look inside

Here is the top of four of the five pages. The rest of each page is in the download.

The basics

Timing, pacing, how the adaptive modules work, scoring, and a sketch of the test screen with every tool labeled.

Reading & Writing: reading

The #1 rule, red-flag and green-flag words, and what to do first for each question type.

Reading & Writing: grammar

Every punctuation mark, what it's allowed to do, and a right-vs-wrong example for each.

$Top of page 4, Math & Desmos$

Math & Desmos

What to memorize, what's on the formula sheet, and six Desmos hacks with real screenshots.

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What's in the 5 pages

WelcomeWhy it exists, who made it, and how to use it.

Test day, start to finishBoth sections, both modules, the break — and how long you really have per question.

How "adaptive" worksWhy Module 1 sets your ceiling, in one picture.

Scoring & National MeritScore ranges, and why Reading & Writing counts twice.

The test screenA labeled sketch: timer, calculator, reference sheet, mark for review, answer eliminator.

Reading playbookFive question types, what to do first, and the trap for each.

Grammar & punctuationPeriod, semicolon, comma, colon, dash — the rules the test actually checks.

Math & DesmosMemorize vs. look up, the formula sheet drawn out, six Desmos hacks.

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From families in Rebecca's SAT prep

The cheat sheet is brand new, so these are about Rebecca's SAT courses and tutoring. Results vary by student.

Testimonial screenshot 1

Testimonial screenshot 2

Testimonial screenshot 3

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PSAT/NMSQT® is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which are not affiliated with, and do not endorse, this product. Desmos® is a trademark of Desmos, Inc. National Merit qualifying scores and college scholarship requirements change every year — confirm current details with your school counselor or each college's admissions or financial aid office.