Is a 1060 PSAT Score Good? What It Means and Next Steps

A 1060 PSAT score is solid and slightly above average for most test-takers, but it is generally not high enough to qualify for National Merit recognition and falls short of the strongest college-readiness benchmarks. In plain terms, the PSAT (Preliminary SAT, the practice test that also feeds the National Merit Scholarship program) is scored on a 320–1520 scale, and 1060 sits a bit above the middle of that range. Whether it’s “good” depends almost entirely on your grade level and your goals.

What a 1060 PSAT Score Means

The PSAT/NMSQT (the version most students take in the fall of 10th or 11th grade) reports two section scores—Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math—each on a 160–760 scale, plus a Total score on a 320–1520 scale. A 1060 means your two section scores add up to 1060, so a typical split might be around 530 in each section.

In national percentile terms, a 1060 lands roughly in the 60th–67th percentile for 11th graders. That means you scored at or above about 6 in 10 test-takers—clearly above average, but well below the top quartile. The College Board reports percentiles by grade, so an 11th grader and a 10th grader with the same 1060 will see different percentile rankings, with the younger student ranking higher.

Because the PSAT is a practice test, the score itself carries no direct admissions weight. Its main roles are to give you a realistic preview of the SAT and to determine National Merit eligibility.

Is 1060 a Good Score?

The honest answer: 1060 is good in the sense that it’s meaningfully above the national average, but it’s not a standout score, and it likely won’t unlock major recognition.

Here’s how it stacks up against the benchmarks that matter:

• National Merit: To become a National Merit Semifinalist, you need a Selection Index well above what a 1060 total produces—often in the 1400s total range depending on your state. A 1060 is not competitive for this. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation sets cutoffs state by state.
• College readiness: The College Board’s college-readiness benchmarks are much lower than 1060, so a 1060 already clears the basic “on track” bar. That’s a genuine positive.
• Selective colleges: If your goal is a highly selective school, a 1060 suggests you have real room to grow before you’d submit a comparable SAT score.

So: good relative to average, not good relative to competitive goals. Both things are true at once.

A quick worked example

Imagine you’re a 10th grader who scored 1060 this fall without any prep. That’s a strong starting point with a full year to improve. Now imagine you’re a junior who studied for months and landed the same 1060—that’s a signal you need a different prep strategy before the SAT.

How 1060 Compares to Benchmarks

Context is everything, so here’s a simplified comparison:

Two grade-level notes matter here. First, 10th graders are compared against other 10th graders, so a 1060 in 10th grade looks better in percentile terms than the same score in 11th grade. Second, scores naturally rise with maturity and coursework—many students gain 100+ points between an early PSAT and a later SAT simply from more math and reading experience.

The takeaway from the table: you’ve cleared the “average” and “ready” bars, but you’re below the “recognition” and “competitive” bars. That’s a normal, fixable place to be.

Next Steps After 1060

A 1060 gives you useful data—now use it. The PSAT is a diagnostic, not a verdict.

Decide whether to retake the PSAT

If you’re a sophomore, you’ll likely take it again next fall, and you have time to improve. If you’re a junior, focus your energy on the SAT instead. Retaking the PSAT mainly matters for National Merit, which 1060 won’t reach—so don’t over-invest there.

Shift focus to the SAT

The SAT is the score colleges actually see. Treat your 1060 as a baseline SAT estimate and build a plan to raise it. Register through the College Board, which also offers free Official SAT Practice through Khan Academy.

Build a targeted prep strategy

Diagnose your weak spots rather than studying blindly:

• Review your score report. Note which question types cost you the most points.
• Split your time by section. If Math lagged, drill algebra and problem-solving; if Reading/Writing lagged, practice passage analysis and grammar rules.
• Take timed practice tests every few weeks to track real progress.
• Target a realistic gain. A jump of 100–150 points is common with consistent prep.

Set a goal score, then work backward

Identify the SAT range for schools you’re interested in, then plan the prep needed to reach it. If you’re years from applying, focus on strong coursework—it builds the skills tests measure.

If you have a learning difference or need accommodations, talk with your school counselor or a qualified professional about the right testing plan for you.

Key Takeaways

• A 1060 PSAT score is slightly above average—roughly the 60th–67th percentile for 11th graders—but not a top-tier score.
• On the 320–1520 PSAT scale, 1060 clears college-readiness benchmarks yet falls short of National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs (often around the 1400s total, per National Merit).
• The same 1060 looks better for a 10th grader than an 11th grader, because percentiles are grade-specific.
• Treat the score as a diagnostic baseline, not a final judgment—then shift your energy toward SAT prep and targeted skill-building.
• Aim for a 100–150 point gain through consistent, section-focused practice; a counselor can help if you need accommodations.