PSAT 8/9 case studies
PSAT 8/9 · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The PSAT 8/9 is a College Board in-school assessment that is part of the SAT Suite, alongside SAT School Day, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the PSAT 10. It is designed for students in eighth and ninth grade and is administered through schools rather than registered for individually, so the first practical step is to ask your principal or counselor which assessments your school offers. The PSAT 8/9 case studies are 5 cases and about 1,879 words.
1The Overloaded Cell Network
A small town's cell network has three towers. Tower A covers 40% of the town's area, Tower B covers 35%, and Tower C covers 25%.
398 words, about 2 min2The Scholarship Essay Word Limit
A student is revising a 650-word scholarship essay with a hard 500-word limit. The draft has four paragraphs: an anecdote (210 words), a description of a volunteer project (180 words), a reflection on what the project taught her (150 words), and a conclusion (110 words).
351 words, about 2 min3The Bike-Share Pricing Puzzle
A city bike-share program charges a flat 3 to unlock a bike plus 0.10 per minute of riding. A monthly pass costs 25 and makes each ride free for the first 30 minutes, with 0.10 per minute after that (no unlock fee).
369 words, about 2 min4The School Garden Water Budget
A school garden has a rectangular plot 12 meters long and 8 meters wide, plus a triangular herb bed with a base of 6 meters and a height of 4 meters. The garden club must cover the rectangular plot with mulch at a depth of 5 centimeters.
412 words, about 2 min5The Debate Team's Practice Data
A debate team tracked practice outcomes over 8 weeks. In weeks 1–4, the team held 20 practice rounds and won 12.
349 words, about 2 min