National Merit Semifinalist Cut-off Scores for High School Class of 2016

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PSAT is useless even worse than SAT. SAT doesn't predict the college performance and produces one dimensional drones. Top colleges can fill its classes with perfect SAT score applicants and still have applicants with perfect SATs left over.

In fact doing well on PSAT/SAT is inconsistent with creativity and leadership ability and high scores on these tests shows the opposite to be true.

Let me guess. Your kid was no NMSF?

I wouldn't say the PSAT is totally useless, because it's practice for the real thing, but being a NMSF has virtually no bearing on college admissions unless it's backed up by scores on the SAT themselves. One of my kids was commended, just missing the NMSF, while another came nowhere close. But when the real thing came along, the loser became the winner by a nearly 200 point margin. And another who didn't do spectacularly on the PSAT went on the crush the ACT and got admitted to a slew of top colleges.

We learned through experience that the PSAT means very little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PSAT is useless even worse than SAT. SAT doesn't predict the college performance and produces one dimensional drones. Top colleges can fill its classes with perfect SAT score applicants and still have applicants with perfect SATs left over.

In fact doing well on PSAT/SAT is inconsistent with creativity and leadership ability and high scores on these tests shows the opposite to be true.

Let me guess. Your kid was no NMSF?

I wouldn't say the PSAT is totally useless, because it's practice for the real thing, but being a NMSF has virtually no bearing on college admissions unless it's backed up by scores on the SAT themselves. One of my kids was commended, just missing the NMSF, while another came nowhere close. But when the real thing came along, the loser became the winner by a nearly 200 point margin. And another who didn't do spectacularly on the PSAT went on the crush the ACT and got admitted to a slew of top colleges.

We learned through experience that the PSAT means very little.

ACT is so popular with college applicants since it is much easier to get higher score on ACT compared to SAT. Kids usually take both and end up submitting the ACT scores since it's way easier.

[Anonymous]

^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

It doesn't even matter if you DO make it. That's my point. It certainly doesn't matter to the top schools at all, and most NMSFs don't want the second tier. So who cares?

As for the PP talking about the ACT being "easier," it's not always the case. Three of my kids took both tests; one did much better on the SAT, the other on the ACT, and the third did about the same. And the one who killed the ACT actually had higher math scores on the SAT. The ACT generally seems easier for kids who work hard and have good grades, as it's more of an achievement test than an aptitude test.

[Anonymous]

I am sympathetic to the poster's complaints about PSAT and over-reliance on test scores. There are a growing number of test-optional colleges for this reason. However, for some of us the tests are already taken and there could be free money available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

It doesn't even matter if you DO make it. That's my point. It certainly doesn't matter to the top schools at all, and most NMSFs don't want the second tier. So who cares?

As for the PP talking about the ACT being "easier," it's not always the case. Three of my kids took both tests; one did much better on the SAT, the other on the ACT, and the third did about the same. And the one who killed the ACT actually had higher math scores on the SAT. The ACT generally seems easier for kids who work hard and have good grades, as it's more of an achievement test than an aptitude test.

It did matter to my kids. Doesn't mean they are going to be more successful than non-NMSF kids but it sure meant affordable UG education for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

It doesn't even matter if you DO make it. That's my point. It certainly doesn't matter to the top schools at all, and most NMSFs don't want the second tier. So who cares?

As for the PP talking about the ACT being "easier," it's not always the case. Three of my kids took both tests; one did much better on the SAT, the other on the ACT, and the third did about the same. And the one who killed the ACT actually had higher math scores on the SAT. The ACT generally seems easier for kids who work hard and have good grades, as it's more of an achievement test than an aptitude test.

It did matter to my kids. Doesn't mean they are going to be more successful than non-NMSF kids but it sure meant affordable UG education for them.

Explain. You mean they eventually got the $2000 scholarship? Wow. Doesn't mean much.

[Anonymous]

Ah, you are assuming all NM students aim only for the top tier. Not true. I think we're probably aiming for third tier, where tuition is cheaper, and where students don't have to be high GPA superstars who have discovered cures for cancer already. There, NM could really make a financial difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

It doesn't even matter if you DO make it. That's my point. It certainly doesn't matter to the top schools at all, and most NMSFs don't want the second tier. So who cares?

As for the PP talking about the ACT being "easier," it's not always the case. Three of my kids took both tests; one did much better on the SAT, the other on the ACT, and the third did about the same. And the one who killed the ACT actually had higher math scores on the SAT. The ACT generally seems easier for kids who work hard and have good grades, as it's more of an achievement test than an aptitude test.

It did matter to my kids. Doesn't mean they are going to be more successful than non-NMSF kids but it sure meant affordable UG education for them.

Explain. You mean they eventually got the $2000 scholarship? Wow. Doesn't mean much.

no, each got a full ride to a state school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

It doesn't even matter if you DO make it. That's my point. It certainly doesn't matter to the top schools at all, and most NMSFs don't want the second tier. So who cares?

As for the PP talking about the ACT being "easier," it's not always the case. Three of my kids took both tests; one did much better on the SAT, the other on the ACT, and the third did about the same. And the one who killed the ACT actually had higher math scores on the SAT. The ACT generally seems easier for kids who work hard and have good grades, as it's more of an achievement test than an aptitude test.

It did matter to my kids. Doesn't mean they are going to be more successful than non-NMSF kids but it sure meant affordable UG education for them.

Explain. You mean they eventually got the $2000 scholarship? Wow. Doesn't mean much.

no, each got a full ride to a state school.

On the basis of the PSAT alone? I had no idea. Good for them, even if we are talking about third tier. I stand corrected.

[Anonymous]

True, the official National Merit Scholarships aren't very high, but some college-supported ones are (Northeastern offers $30K/year for example, others offer full rides) and some will help a student get other merit aid or admission they might not otherwise get. It isn't the only way to get help with college but I know a number of examples where doors opened that would have been difficult otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

It doesn't even matter if you DO make it. That's my point. It certainly doesn't matter to the top schools at all, and most NMSFs don't want the second tier. So who cares?

As for the PP talking about the ACT being "easier," it's not always the case. Three of my kids took both tests; one did much better on the SAT, the other on the ACT, and the third did about the same. And the one who killed the ACT actually had higher math scores on the SAT. The ACT generally seems easier for kids who work hard and have good grades, as it's more of an achievement test than an aptitude test.

It did matter to my kids. Doesn't mean they are going to be more successful than non-NMSF kids but it sure meant affordable UG education for them.

Explain. You mean they eventually got the $2000 scholarship? Wow. Doesn't mean much.

no, each got a full ride to a state school.

On the basis of the PSAT alone? I had no idea. Good for them, even if we are talking about third tier. I stand corrected.

You obviously have no idea. I don't want to hijack this thread. I think you are being silly.

Best wishes to Class of 2016 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ it means nothing unless you make the cut. the second tier and below schools actively go after NMSF b/c it's good for school's image and reputation as a PR tool. if you "almost" made it, it really doesn't get you anything.

It doesn't even matter if you DO make it. That's my point. It certainly doesn't matter to the top schools at all, and most NMSFs don't want the second tier. So who cares?

As for the PP talking about the ACT being "easier," it's not always the case. Three of my kids took both tests; one did much better on the SAT, the other on the ACT, and the third did about the same. And the one who killed the ACT actually had higher math scores on the SAT. The ACT generally seems easier for kids who work hard and have good grades, as it's more of an achievement test than an aptitude test.

It did matter to my kids. Doesn't mean they are going to be more successful than non-NMSF kids but it sure meant affordable UG education for them.

Explain. You mean they eventually got the $2000 scholarship? Wow. Doesn't mean much.

no, each got a full ride to a state school.

On the basis of the PSAT alone? I had no idea. Good for them, even if we are talking about third tier. I stand corrected.

You obviously have no idea. I don't want to hijack this thread. I think you are being silly.

Best wishes to Class of 2016 kids.

That was obnoxious. As I said, I stand corrected. The PSAT can lead to rewards from second and third tier schools, thereby helping the less affluent afford college. That's a good thing.

[Anonymous]

^ your subtle jabs are noted. just sign off.

[Anonymous]

Why are there different cutoffs for different states? The test is a national test.

Is this regional affirmative action in practice?