What if SAT score is less than expected based on PSAT?

[Anonymous]

Is it a red flag if a NMSF caliber PSAT score is not accompanied by a corresponding high SAT SCORE (say at least 2200)?

[Anonymous]

Unless the student was a NMSF, how would the school know the PSAT score?

If the student is a NMSF or finalist, it would depend on the discrepancy. The writing portion is very different from the PSAT, so there could be more discrepancies there. Did the student take a cocky attitude because of the PSAT score and not take the SAT as seriously as he/she should have?

[Anonymous]

What do you mean red flag? Colleges don't see the PSAT.

[Anonymous]

OP, it's not at all unusual for a student to get a high PSAT score, then low SAT score, and vice versa.

[Anonymous]

If the student is a NMSF or finalist, anything less than a 2200 SAT or 33 ACT would likely undercut the value of the NMSF/finalist credential. Colleges can buy lists that sort by PSAT score range and it is a buzz kill to see a subpar SAT/ACT score come in from those lists.

[Anonymous]

99% of high schools across the country do not list the PSAT score on an official transcript, but the transcript will reflect NMSF finalist or commended status. For someone from this area, finalist status suggest that you’ll score above 2200 on the SAT (2240 from DC). Commended status leads to an expectation of 2000 or more on the SAT. Of course, there is no one-to-one correspondence, but if anything the standardized scores should be higher for those who invest in significant test prep.

[Anonymous]

My DC was the opposite case. They did not have an NMSF PSAT score, but then went on to score in the high 2300s on the SAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC was the opposite case. They did not have an NMSF PSAT score, but then went on to score in the high 2300s on the SAT.

Was your DC "commended?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC was the opposite case. They did not have an NMSF PSAT score, but then went on to score in the high 2300s on the SAT.

Was your DC "commended?"

Yes, but they would have preferred to be NMSF. In retrospect, not being one motivated them to do better on the actual SAT in one sitting.

[Anonymous]

Does "commended" generally appear on the transcript? or is that a school by school issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does "commended" generally appear on the transcript? or is that a school by school issue?

My DC was commended and I don't think it was on the transcript. He did put it on the common app though.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure how much schools dwell on PSAT and NSMF, but the anomaly for students from this area is that the PSAT score needed to qualify as a NMSF finalist [224 DC, 223 MD, 22 VA] is so much higher than the national average (214.1) that many “commended scholars” from this area actually scored higher than the AVERAGE NMSF finalist (or at least the mean state minimum semifinalist score).Heck, if you live in West Virginia or Wyoming and meet the nationally applicable score (203) to be “commended” you are automatically a finalist. Hey, Harper’s Ferry is less than an hour from the Beltway!

http://publicuniversityhonors.com/2013/12/11/psat-national-merit-scholar-qualifying-scores-and-sat-equivalencies-by-state/#sthash.PVbBmoZN.dpuf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC was the opposite case. They did not have an NMSF PSAT score, but then went on to score in the high 2300s on the SAT.

Was your DC "commended?"

Yes, but they would have preferred to be NMSF. In retrospect, not being one motivated them to do better on the actual SAT in one sitting.

I do not think DC listed their commended status because there were other things to emphasize instead.

[Anonymous]

What is the difference between "National Merit Commended" and "Recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between "National Merit Commended" and "Recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program?"

I believe that "recognized" includes minority students that were recognized but would not otherwise qualify