Free PSAT 8/9 Exam Questions That Helps Candidates Pass

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis centers on ratios, percentages, and interpreting data. Percent means “per hundred,” so compute 50200×100%\frac{50}{200}\times 100\%. First simplify: 50200=14=0.25\frac{50}{200}=\frac{1}{4}=0.25. Multiply by 100% to get 25%. Wait—be careful: 50200=0.25\frac{50}{200}=0.25 corresponds to 25%, which is Option B. But the question asks “What percent of students prefer biking?” We must re-check: 50 out of 200 indeed equals 25%. Therefore Option B is correct, not A. (Common trap: misreading 50 as 40 or mixing up denominator.) A sound approach is to write the proportion explicitly: percent=partwhole×100%\text{percent} = \frac{\text{part}}{\text{whole}}\times 100\%. Here, part = 50, whole = 200, giving 25%. On PSAT questions, ensure you map “part” and “whole” correctly: the “whole” is the total number surveyed, not the number who do not prefer biking. Estimation can help: 50 is one quarter of 200, and a quarter is 25%. This mental check confirms the computation and helps avoid simple arithmetic slips.

Use Pythagorean theorem: 202+b2=25220^2 + b^2 = 25^2. 400+b2=625400 + b^2 = 625. b2=225b^2 = 225. b=15b = 15. Option A correct.

Information and Ideas questions test your ability to interpret claims and identify central ideas. The word “revolutionized” implies a dramatic, transformative effect. Paired with “household communication,” the statement suggests the invention substantially altered how families shared information at home. Option B reflects this meaning. Option A (“insignificant improvement”) contradicts the sense of revolution. Option C introduces confusion, which isn’t implied. Option D narrows the scope incorrectly—the claim was broad, not limited. Strategy: focus on strong words (“revolutionized”) and consider their usual connotation—big change, not small.

Option A removes redundancy and delivers a direct sentence. Options B and C are ungrammatical with extra pronouns. Option D confuses the modifier, suggesting the “team” had the experience. On the PSAT, concise, correct structure always wins.

Social media use is usually described to support claims about communication. Option A correct.