PSAT scores/National Merit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guessing 218 index score is not likely high enough for semifinalist status in MD?

Most likely not. But you won't find out for sure until September (yes, almost a full year after they take the PSAT.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year's qualifying scores listed here, around page 13.
221 for MD, 219 for VA and 223 for DC.
Apparently won't announce qualifying scores for this year's juniors for sometime.
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/guide_to_the_national_merit_scholarship_program.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61

I don’t understand why there is a single national cutoff score for a test that calls itself National Merit.

I meant “why there isn’t”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi are there two different PSATs? I have a 10th grader who took the PSAT last month, but I was told by another parent that there is another PSAT next year( 11th grade? I was of the understanding that was when they took the SAT?) if true which of these scores are also for the National merit? Thank you.( first child in the US educational system so have lots to learn)

It depends. If it says PSAT/NMSQT then it’s the same test that the 11th graders take in the fall. Most 10th graders take this in Oct, along with 11th graders, but it’s practice.

Some schools do give 10th graders a PSAT 10 exam instead. But that is less common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year's qualifying scores listed here, around page 13.
221 for MD, 219 for VA and 223 for DC.
Apparently won't announce qualifying scores for this year's juniors for sometime.
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/guide_to_the_national_merit_scholarship_program.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61

I don’t understand why there is a single national cutoff score for a test that calls itself National Merit.

I don't like it either. My kid is a senior and had a score of 214 in Virginia. So he missed the cutoff for Virginia but I think there were 24 states where he would have been a semi finalist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year's qualifying scores listed here, around page 13.
221 for MD, 219 for VA and 223 for DC.
Apparently won't announce qualifying scores for this year's juniors for sometime.
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/guide_to_the_national_merit_scholarship_program.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61

I don’t understand why there is a single national cutoff score for a test that calls itself National Merit.

I meant “why there isn’t”

That's what Commended is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi are there two different PSATs? I have a 10th grader who took the PSAT last month, but I was told by another parent that there is another PSAT next year( 11th grade? I was of the understanding that was when they took the SAT?) if true which of these scores are also for the National merit? Thank you.( first child in the US educational system so have lots to learn)

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but 11th grade Fall PSAT is for the national merit. Students typically take the SAT starting in Spring of 11th. PSAT in Fall of 10th is basically for practice.

Is the psat in 10 grade the same test as the psat in 11th grade, in terms of rigor and type of questions?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi are there two different PSATs? I have a 10th grader who took the PSAT last month, but I was told by another parent that there is another PSAT next year( 11th grade? I was of the understanding that was when they took the SAT?) if true which of these scores are also for the National merit? Thank you.( first child in the US educational system so have lots to learn)

When 11th graders take the PSAT in October of 11th grade, and meet the other eligibility criteria, like nationality, their score is considered for National Merit. No other PSAT will count for this, but the test the younger kids take is the same format, grading, and level of difficulty (there are multiple versions at every sitting of course). So your 10th grader will have to take it again next October if you want to qualify for NM.

[Anonymous]

My kid ended up with a 221 in VA.
Scores are high this year is what we hear.
Maybe in VA this year you need to be at 222?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid ended up with a 221 in VA.
Scores are high this year is what we hear.
Maybe in VA this year you need to be at 222?

Time will tell.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know when the official cutoff for Commended will be announced? Is it next fall or sooner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid ended up with a 221 in VA.
Scores are high this year is what we hear.
Maybe in VA this year you need to be at 222?

Compass Prep who has access to all the data so far thinks cut-offs will be one number higher this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know when the official cutoff for Commended will be announced? Is it next fall or sooner?

I think April 2024. it is so far predicted to be 208. Last year was 207.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi are there two different PSATs? I have a 10th grader who took the PSAT last month, but I was told by another parent that there is another PSAT next year( 11th grade? I was of the understanding that was when they took the SAT?) if true which of these scores are also for the National merit? Thank you.( first child in the US educational system so have lots to learn)

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but 11th grade Fall PSAT is for the national merit. Students typically take the SAT starting in Spring of 11th. PSAT in Fall of 10th is basically for practice.

OP here, thank you, this is very clear

[Anonymous]

Are there any selective colleges that really value being NMSF?

[Anonymous]

where do you see the scores today?