Prior to the popularity of the Internet, many students would travel to their local libraries intending to check out a book that offers practice examinations. Because many students were studying this subject at the same time, it may have been difficult to obtain. Other students who may have been able to afford it might have purchased study guides from a bookstore. Today, a few websites have implemented practice PSAT study guides. Unfortunately, however, most are not free.
StudyGuideZone offers a study guide via their link for a brief online study guide. It is in PDF format and is 68 pages long. TestPrepReview offers self-assessment modules broken down into subcategories of basic and advanced algebra, averages and rounding, basic operations, comma, estimation sequences and exponents. The College Board breaks down the topics into critical reading, math and writing skills.
Most colleges require at least an SAT score. Neither the PSAT nor the SAT is mandatory while in high school; however, as students begin applying to higher education institutions, they will find that most colleges and universities require their SAT scores to even be considered. The PSAT is merely a practice test, so the score would not be considered in college applications.