The focus of the packet is information on the test. The practice test was added to let you know what your score would be before studying. That is the sole reason for the entire packet. Reviewing your answers starts the study phase and CollegeBoard has several tools for students to help. Many of them are presented at The Collegboard website at no charge. Placing these answers in the packet would cause some students to bypass the helpful study information.
CollegeBoard not only gives answers to the questions, but also explanations of those answers. These explanations are available for every question on the practice test featured in your information packet and also for the practice questions on the preparation pages of the website. The company could not provide these detailed explanations in the test packet.
Length and cost are two reasons that the answers and explanations are not included in the practice test packet. The answers and explanations for the two Critical Reading sections of the PSAT are 34 pages without the other three sections included. The cost of printing such a booklet would far override the benefits of providing the free guide. Students who want the printed tests with explanations can already look to many printed PSAT workbooks available.
Not all students are shooting for the chance to be a National Merit Scholar. (The National Merit Scholar Corporation uses PSAT scores as an application for the program. The scholars are chosen from high-scoring students.) Others take the test just to see what it is like. These students will not be studying for the PSAT. Their use of the information packet may not extend to the practice test. CollegeBoard accommodates the many students who are not interested in studying by giving them information about the test only and supplying further study materials on their website.