PSAT practice test

If 2(x − 3) = 10, what is x?

Divide by 2 (x − 3 = 5), then add 3.

Five pens cost $3.50. At the same price, what do 12 pens cost?

One pen costs $0.70, and 12 × $0.70 = $8.40.

What is the y-intercept of the line y = 3x − 2?

In y = mx + b, b is the y-intercept.

What is 30% of 250?

0.30 × 250 = 75.

What is the mean of 4, 8, 15 and 21?

(4 + 8 + 15 + 21) / 4 = 48 / 4 = 12.

If x² = 49 and x < 0, what is x?

Both 7 and −7 square to 49; only −7 is negative.

A rectangle has a perimeter of 30 and a length of 9. What is its width?

2 × 9 + 2w = 30, so 2w = 12 and w = 6.

If f(x) = 2x² + 1, what is f(3)?

2 × 9 + 1 = 19.

A car travels 150 miles in 2.5 hours. What is its average speed?

150 ÷ 2.5 = 60.

Which choice completes the sentence? "The study's methods were clearly documented, so other labs found the results easy to ____."

Clear documentation lets others repeat (replicate) an experiment.

Which choice is punctuated correctly?

A semicolon joins two complete sentences; a comma alone would be a comma splice.

Which transition fits? "The trial showed promising results. ____, the sample was too small to be conclusive."

The second sentence contrasts with the first.

Which choice is correct? "Neither the coach nor the players ____ ready for the rain."

With "neither... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "players".

Which choice is correct? "The company announced ____ new policy on Monday."

"Its" is the possessive; "it's" means "it is".