Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so what is the bet for the new cutoffs in DC, MD, and VA?

I analyzed the old cut-off scores relative to the total and applied the percentages to the new total.



Old test total=240 New Test Total=228

DC. 225 =94% of 240. 214
Maryland. 222=92.5% of 240. 211
Virginia. 222=92.5% of 240. 211

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.

Anonymous wrote:The poster is right about DC. For everywhere else it's where you attend school but not DC.

Again, can you back that up with an article or reference that says so?

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?

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.

The poster is right about DC. For everywhere else it's where you attend school but not DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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).

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 wrote: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.

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 wrote: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.

You can always a move to West Virginia.

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry for my lack of understanding. What is being commended? I thought only a hard cut to be nominated as a NMSF. Thanks for the information.

They cut differently for every state- so each state gets its proportional share of NMSF. If a student had a score that is not enough to be NMSF in his state but enough in another state, he gets "Commended". The range in any one year has been from 204-225 in the past (- or + depending on the year). DC,VA and MD have some of the higher cut offs.

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 wrote: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/

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.

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/

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.

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

Thanks, clearly from the historical data DC, MD and VA have high levels versus many other states. That helps clear it up, thank you.