Practice Test - #2 - PSAT/NMSQT Fall 2016 Preparation Guide

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Ezra

Practice Test #2 for the PSAT/NMSQT (Fall 2016) provides a structured way to prepare for the actual exam. It explains the four test sections, recommended time allocation of about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and how to use the practice answer sheet. The guide covers answer marking rules, choosing a No. 2 pencil, scoring immediately via College Board, and test-taking strategies such as pacing, focusing first on easier questions, and guessing without point penalties for wrong answers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages64

Reading Time2 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Take the Practice Test

Sections and timing

Get Credit for All You Know

Marking answers

Checking answers

Test-Taking Strategies

Pacing and guessing

PSAT/NMSQT Practice Answer Sheet

Fall 2016 Practice Test \#2 Make time to take the practice test. It is one of the best ways to get ready forthe PSAT/NMSQT. After you have taken the practice test, score it [right away at](right away at collegeboard.org/psatscoring)[ collegeboard.org/psatscoring](right away at collegeboard.org/psatscoring). © 2016 The College Board. College Board and the acorn logo are registered trademarks ofthe College Board. The corporate“Lamp of Learning” logo is a federally registered service mark of National Merit Scholarship Corporation. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 5LPT01 Take the Practice Test Take the practice test on the following pages to become familiar with the kinds of questions (reading, writing and language, and math) on the PSAT/NMSQT. The test you take in the fall will contain the same four parts as this practice test: (1) reading questions,(2) writing and language questions,(3) math questions you cannot use a calculator on, and (4) math questions you can use a calculator on. Set aside about 2 hours and 45 minutes to take the entire test, and use the practice answer sheet on pages 3–6. Have your calculator available only for the Math Test – Calculator. After the test, check your answers to see how you scored. Get Credit for All You Know 􀂆 Use a No. 2 pencil. 􀂆 Follow instructions for marking your answers, particularly for the Math student-produced response questions. 􀂆 Mark only one answer to each question. 􀂆 Make dark marks and fill circles completely. 􀂆 Erase completely if you change a response. Test-Taking Strategies Try these out when you take the practice test: 􀂆 Focus on easy questions first. For each correct answer you receive one point, no matter how hard or easy the question is. Beware of careless errorson questions you know how to answer. 􀂆 You don’t have to get every question right. You can do well even though you answer some questions incorrectly. 􀂆 Work steadily. Don’t waste time on a question that is hard for you. If you cannot answer it, mark it in your test book and go on. Go back to it later if there is time. Use a watch to help with pacing. 􀂆 It’s okay to guess , especially if you can eliminate some of the answers. You won’t lose any points if you guess incorrectly. 􀂆 Mark your answers in the correct row of circleson the answer sheet. Be especially careful if you skip questions. 􀂆 For math questions 14–17 and 28–31, first write your answer in the boxes above the circles, and then grid your answer accurately and as completely as the grid will accommodate. In the actual test, you must grid the correct answer in the circles to receive credit. If the incorrect circles are marked, the answer will be scored as incorrect, even if the right answer is given in the boxes. A common mistake is marking two circles in the same column, so be sure to double-check your grids. |

| STANDARD TIMING
Reading Test:
Writing and Language Test:
SCORING
Each correct answer:
Wrong/blank answers: | 60 minutes 35 minutes
One point No points lost | Math Test – No Calculator: 25 minutes
Math Test – Calculator: 45 minutes
GUESSING
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so it makes sense to give the best answer you can to every question, even if it is just your best guess. | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | MARKING ANSWERS
Make sure each mark is dark and completely fills the circle. If you erase, do so completely. You may use the test book for scratch work, but for the actual test you will not receive credit for anything you write there. | | | | | | CHECKING ANSWERS
When you take the test, you may check your work on a particular section if you finish it before time is called, but you may not turn to any other section. | | | For information on how to score your practice test, go to:
[collegeboard.org/psatscoring](collegeboard.org/psatscoring) | 2 2016

FAQs

How long should you set aside to take the entire Practice Test #2?

Set aside about 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the entire test.

What is the scoring advice after finishing the practice test?

Score the practice test right away using the College Board PSAT/NMSQT scoring site.

Are there penalties for guessing on wrong answers?

There is no penalty for wrong answers, so it makes sense to give your best answer to every question.

Sep 22, 2026

Uploaded by Ezra