New PSAT results
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Thanks, clearly from the historical data DC, MD and VA have high levels versus many other states. That helps clear it up, thank you. |
Anonymous
|
It is ridiculous that cut scores vary by state.
Looking at the historical data, the 5 states with highest cutoff scores. 225-Washington, DC & NJ 223 Massachusetts 222 Virginia & Maryland Lowest scores required 202 Wyoming, West Virginia, North Dakota, South Dakota 204 Montana |
Anonymous
| I think the earlier poster noted there is a balance for the states. I have no issue with a kid from Montana getting recognized with those scores. It isn't ridiculous at all. Some states lack the funding we have in the DMV for schools and other things. If the federal government moved to Montana I think you'd see an acute impact on our local schools and services. I know it is a loopy suggestion, but I think you can consider that the NMSF program aims to be nationally balanced. That makes it more competitive here. |
Anonymous
|
Why is everyone talking about 222 for a cutoff when the new scores are 1330- 1440 for class of 2017 (juniors now) ?
https://2400expert.com/class-2017-national-merit-psat-cutoff-scores/ |
Anonymous
On the third page of the PSAT print out there is something called a NMSC Selection Index and it is a number that is 48-228. This is the number people are talking about. Last year the numbers were from 60-240. |
Anonymous
Commended includes the top 50,000 test takers nationally, then about 16,000 of them are named as Semifinalists, with the cutoff score for Semifinalist varying by state. |
Anonymous
|
Seems unfair that DCPS gets counted with all the kids in private school in DC. DC score gets pushed up where DCPS students have less of a shot.
|
Anonymous
You can always a move to West Virginia. 
|
Anonymous
Actually, the DC cutoff isn't determined by the scores of DC test takers. National Merit's policy is to use the highest state cutoff for DC -- so blame kids in NJ public schools (not DC private schools) for the high hurdle (this year, at least). |
Anonymous
Do you have an article or something to back that up? I have read many times that the scores are set by where student attend school, not where they live, and that the DC scores are pushed higher by kids at exclusive privates in DC. |
Anonymous
| The poster is right about DC. For everywhere else it's where you attend school but not DC. |
Anonymous
| I don't think National Merit is transparent about how they set the state-by-state cutoffs. However, the rules are clear that students are grouped by where they go to school, not where they live. So a child from Bethesda or McLean who attends a DC independent school is considered a DC student and competes with DCPS students. And a New Jersey resident who attends Horace Mann competes with New Yorkers. But, it cuts both ways. There are a fairly large number of DC independent school students from the suburbs who would be semi-finalists if the Maryland or Virginia cutoffs were applied instead. |
Anonymous
| 1150 for a sophomore. That doesn't sound too promising. Sounds like some test prep is needed next time. Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations? |
Anonymous
Again, can you back that up with an article or reference that says so? |
Anonymous
Thanks. The above is the most useful post on this entire thread. While I am sure the actual methodology will be more complex, I have seen on test prep company that must have done a similar exercise and posted estimates accordingly on its web site that seemed to be in this general ball park -- at least they agreed the cut offs would have to be lower this year. |