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PSAT/NMSQT Percentages Questions
Practise percentages (quantitative aptitude) for the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test: 10 multiple-choice questions, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. Click an option to check it, or “New questions” for another set.
Percentages practice
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Q1.What is 85% of 320?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: D — 272
85% of 320 = 85/100 × 320 = 272.
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Q2.What is 5% of 240?
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Answer: C — 12
5% of 240 = 5/100 × 240 = 12.
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Q3.What is 75% of 920?
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Answer: D — 690
75% of 920 = 75/100 × 920 = 690.
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Q4.The price of an item changes from $125 to $150. What is the percentage change?
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Answer: D — 20% increase
Change = 25 on a base of 125: 25/125 × 100 = 20% increase. Always divide by the ORIGINAL value.
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Q5.What is 18% of 700?
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Answer: C — 126
18% of 700 = 18/100 × 700 = 126.
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Q6.What is 18% of 500?
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Answer: D — 90
18% of 500 = 18/100 × 500 = 90.
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Q7.Two successive discounts of 15% and 12% are equivalent to a single discount of:
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Answer: A — 25.2%
Net discount = a + b − ab/100 = 15 + 12 − 15×12/100 = 25.2%.
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Q8.Two successive discounts of 20% and 20% are equivalent to a single discount of:
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Answer: D — 36%
Net discount = a + b − ab/100 = 20 + 20 − 20×20/100 = 36%.
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Q9.What is 40% of 840?
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Answer: B — 336
40% of 840 = 40/100 × 840 = 336.
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Q10.The price of an item changes from $250 to $175. What is the percentage change?
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Answer: A — 30% decrease
Change = -75 on a base of 250: -75/250 × 100 = 30% decrease. Always divide by the ORIGINAL value.
How to approach percentages questions
Convert percentages to fractions you know by heart (12.5% = 1/8, 37.5% = 3/8, 16.67% = 1/6) and always divide a change by the ORIGINAL value. Two successive changes of a% and b% combine to a + b + ab/100.
About PSAT/NMSQT
Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test — conducted by College Board & National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The practice SAT that also screens for National Merit Scholarships.
Original practice questions written for this site in the style and difficulty of each exam’s syllabus. They are not past papers and the site is not affiliated with any exam body. Exam patterns, marking schemes and syllabi change — always check the latest official notification.
PSAT/NMSQT practice topics
| Topic | Section | Question source |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | Mathematics | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| Percentages | Quantitative aptitude | Calculated (new numbers every set) |
| English Grammar | English | Question bank |
| Vocabulary & Idioms | English | Question bank |