| How do u compute the index? DC got 1510. I assume it’s good for nmsf no matter what? |
"To determine who qualifies for National Merit, NMSC uses a scale called the Selection Index. To get this, NMSC adds your Math, Reading, and Writing section scores, which each fall between 8 and 38, and then multiplies that sum by 2. Thus, the PSAT NMSC Selection Index ranges from 48 to 228." https://blog.prepscholar.com/does-your-psat-score-qualify-for-national-merit |
That is an amazing score, the maximum is 1520. I would guess yes, it depends where you live. DC is whatever the highest cut-off score. MD is traditionally very high, VA slightly below, they weight verbal higher than math. The kids know how to calculate the points. |
You can see the index in the account. You have to click on more details. |
| Where do you find ou the score if you're in Fairfax County? |
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“Most likely” cutoff for D.C. is 223. MD is 222 and VA is 221. But these are only estimates.
https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/ |
| How much can one realistically expect an 1160 to rise with the SAT? |
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as so much depends on the individual student - how much their academic skills improve over the next year, whether they prep, what their academic potential is like. From increase in academic skills due to schoolwork alone, I would ballpark 50-100 pt increase between now and fall senior year, but the increase could be much higher than that if the 1160 is "lower" than what it might have been had the student prepped for the PSAT or simply had a bad day on test day, rough scoring scale, too many careless errors, etc. I would suggest planning to take the SAT in spring of junior year and again fall of senior year (ideally Aug or Oct for early deadlines, but even Dec is good for regular decision/Jan application deadlines). |
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My kid has a disappointing math score. Verbal is high.
Anyone have tips on a good way to improve math? Kid is decent math student, taking precalc right now. |
Posted where? |
For a junior pre-prep? Based on stats provided by Marks Education, it looks like maybe 190 points with private tutoring (and doing the homework) would be typical. Ymmv, of course. If 10th grade, I’d anticipate more. |
I should add that any of the local test prep companies should give you an idea of how much your kid can improve. Reading is difficult to improve. Grammar and math are more preppable. So it depends also on your kid’s relative strengths. Now is a good time to take an ACT mock to see which is better test for your kid. |
My DD scored around 1050 as a sophomore, junior year PSAT was in the 1100s. She has test anxiety, so took the SAT a few times and ended up with a 1390. So it can go up quite a bit! |
DS’s Reading scores fluctuated wildly with the SSAT, which some say is harder than the SAT. He got a 40th percentile for one test and a 95th percentile at another sitting. The high score was because he was invested in the story. It was “The Most Dangerous Game” about human hunting, published in 1924. It ranks as the most popular short story of all time. I wish I could get him that invested in everything he reads! |
| MA- not until tomorrow |