Is 1390 a Good PSAT Score? What It Means for You

A 1390 is a strong PSAT score. On the digital PSAT/NMSQT, which is scored on a 320–1520 scale, a 1390 places you well above the national average for juniors and in roughly the top 5–7% of all test-takers. So if you’re asking “is 1390 a good psat score,” the short answer is yes—it’s a very good score that signals strong college readiness, especially as a sophomore or junior. The more useful question is what that number means for your specific goals: National Merit recognition, SAT prep strategy, and which colleges it puts within reach.

What a 1390 Actually Puts You In

The digital PSAT/NMSQT is scored out of 1520, with two sections (Reading & Writing, and Math) each scored 160–760. A 1390 means you’re averaging around a 695 per section—near the top of the scale on both halves, not just one.

For context, most students who take the PSAT as juniors score around 900–1000. A 1390 is meaningfully higher than that, and it suggests you’d likely score in a similar range on the real SAT without much additional prep. The score is not a fluke if you’ve been consistently strong in both reading and math.

One thing worth knowing: the PSAT is easier than the SAT by design, and it doesn’t include the hardest questions the SAT does. So a 1390 on the PSAT doesn’t automatically translate to a 1390 on the SAT—but it’s a solid indicator you’re capable of scoring in the 1350–1450 range on the real exam.

Does It Qualify You for National Merit?

This is where a 1390 gets interesting—and where the answer depends heavily on your state and your grade.

The National Merit Scholarship Program uses PSAT/NMSQT scores from the junior year to determine eligibility. Each state sets its own cutoff for Semifinalist status, and those cutoffs vary widely. In recent years, state cutoffs have generally landed somewhere between roughly 207 and 224 on the Selection Index (a separate calculation from your 1390 total). High-population, competitive states like California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey tend to have the highest cutoffs; states like Wyoming, Montana, and West Virginia tend to have lower ones.

How the Selection Index Works

Your Selection Index isn’t the same as your PSAT total. It’s calculated by taking your Reading & Writing score, doubling it, adding your Math score, then dividing by 10.

A 1390 could produce a Selection Index that’s solidly in semifinalist range in some states but below the cutoff in the most competitive ones. The only way to know is to check your state’s most recent cutoff—the National Merit Scholarship Corporation publishes program details annually.

If you’re only a sophomore, note that your 1390 doesn’t count for National Merit yet. The qualifying year is junior year, so use this score as a benchmark and a chance to improve.

What It Means for Your SAT and College Plans

A 1390 on the PSAT is a genuinely encouraging sign for college admissions testing. Here’s what it tells you:

• You have a strong foundation. You’re likely already scoring near or above the national SAT average without targeted prep.
• There’s room to grow. With focused practice on your weaker section, a jump into the 1400s on the SAT is realistic. Many students gain 50–150 points between the PSAT and SAT simply from familiarity and pacing practice.
• You’re in range for many selective schools. A 1390 on the actual SAT would put you at or above the middle 50% at a large number of competitive colleges, though the most selective schools typically see admitted students in the 1450–1550 range.

Use the College Board score reports to see exactly which question types cost you points. That’s your roadmap for SAT prep.

A Quick Worked Example

Say you’re a junior in a mid-cutoff state with a 1390: 710 Reading & Writing, 680 Math. Your Selection Index would be (710 × 2 + 680) ÷ 10 = 210. If your state’s semifinalist cutoff is around 212, you’re just short—but a 20-point Math improvement on the real PSAT the following year (if you retake) or a focus on the SAT could close that gap. If your state cutoff is 208, you’d have likely qualified.

The takeaway: a 1390 is strong everywhere, but whether it clears the National Merit bar is a state-by-state lottery.

Should You Retake or Just Move On?

For most students, a 1390 is a score to be proud of and a signal to shift focus to SAT prep. You can retake the PSAT in the fall of junior year if you’re currently a sophomore, or you may not get another shot if you’re already a junior.

Either way, don’t obsess over the PSAT itself. It’s a practice test with one real prize—National Merit—and a strong diagnostic tool. If National Merit is out of reach based on your state’s cutoff, channel that energy into SAT or ACT prep, where the stakes for college admissions are higher.

If you’re unsure about how this score fits your college list or whether you should retake, talk with your school counselor. They can help you interpret your score report and plan next steps.

Key Takeaways

• A 1390 on the digital PSAT is a strong score—roughly top 5–7% nationally and well above average.
• It signals college readiness and suggests you can score in the 1350–1450 range on the SAT with continued prep.
• National Merit qualification depends on your state’s cutoff and your junior-year Selection Index, not just your total score.
• Sophomores should treat a 1390 as a benchmark; the score that counts for National Merit comes junior year.
• Use your score report to target weak areas, then shift your focus to SAT/ACT preparation.
• Check your state’s National Merit cutoff and consult your school counselor for personalized guidance.