Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Child is in 10th grade, they took the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October 2015 (the same exam given to the 11th graders at their private school).

Scored a 740/760 Math, a 740/760 Verbal, a 1480/1520 overall, and a 222/228 National Merit score (though as a sophomore, they cannot qualify for NMSF).

DC currently has all A/A+s, no A-s. They are beginning to believe that perhaps they can be admitted to a top 10 school, what should we as parents do to help support their goals?

Can you afford $60K/year tuition at a top 10?

These sort of remarks can be insulting. Did it ever occur to you that these posters have done some due diligence researching the cost of colleges? The magnitude in this PSAT thread of interest and disseminating a test score that ONLY gets you a semi-National Merit acknowledgment and possible SAT future score is incredible.

I would think that if these posters have done this type of due diligence than they are doing financial research (loan, grant, scholarship) also, at least the majority. I see your comment mentioned frequently (not sure if same poster), and you make a good point. But constantly asking if posters can afford to send their child shows, on your part, that you think they aren't smart enough to look at a price tag. They might disregard it, but that's on them. Their checkbook. Their money. They decide how to use it whether you think it's the right way to go. It's not your name on the bottom line.

Anonymous wrote:Child is in 10th grade, they took the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October 2015 (the same exam given to the 11th graders at their private school).

Scored a 740/760 Math, a 740/760 Verbal, a 1480/1520 overall, and a 222/228 National Merit score (though as a sophomore, they cannot qualify for NMSF).

DC currently has all A/A+s, no A-s. They are beginning to believe that perhaps they can be admitted to a top 10 school, what should we as parents do to help support their goals?

Can you afford $60K/year tuition at a top 10?

Anonymous wrote:Child is in 10th grade, they took the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October 2015 (the same exam given to the 11th graders at their private school).

Scored a 740/760 Math, a 740/760 Verbal, a 1480/1520 overall, and a 222/228 National Merit score (though as a sophomore, they cannot qualify for NMSF).

DC currently has all A/A+s, no A-s. They are beginning to believe that perhaps they can be admitted to a top 10 school, what should we as parents do to help support their goals?

Extra-curriculars? Leadership opportunities? Sports? If they're an URM, they're a shoo-in for multiple Ivy League acceptances.

Child is in 10th grade, they took the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October 2015 (the same exam given to the 11th graders at their private school).

Scored a 740/760 Math, a 740/760 Verbal, a 1480/1520 overall, and a 222/228 National Merit score (though as a sophomore, they cannot qualify for NMSF).

DC currently has all A/A+s, no A-s. They are beginning to believe that perhaps they can be admitted to a top 10 school, what should we as parents do to help support their goals?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

".... Here is an example of how the formula also works against math students. Two students have Total PSAT Scores of 1460 out of a possible 1520. Student A has 760 in Math and 700 in EWR, while Student B has 700 in Math and 760 in EWR. Drilling down to individual test scores, Student A has 38, 35, and 35. To arrive at the SI, the scores are added together and multiplied by 2 for a total of 216. Student B has scores of 35, 38 and 38, resulting in a Selection Index of (35 + 38 + 38) x 2 = 222."


We have not been able to access our scores online. The guidance counselor gave me scores: total 1460. Math 700, EWR 760 (we don't have the conversion number) So DS seems more like student B. So does that equal in for DC area?

I am not sure that this is disadvantages math-oriented kids any more than the old format of the test. Remember, the old test out of 240 had three parts -- reading , writing (multiple choice, not an essay) and math and each was worth 80 points. So math was always 1/3 of the score. I don't recall how the selection index was done on the old test, but I think it was just adding up the three scaled scores so it would have still weighed reading/writing more. You can debate whether or not it should be weighed differently, but I'm not sure this aspect has actually changed.

Sophomore score was 190 -- went up 20 points for Junior year.

http://blog.prepscholar.com/psat-score-needed-for-national-merit-scholarship

Here is a website that uses the 2015 format

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I

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.

".... Here is an example of how the formula also works against math students. Two students have Total PSAT Scores of 1460 out of a possible 1520. Student A has 760 in Math and 700 in EWR, while Student B has 700 in Math and 760 in EWR. Drilling down to individual test scores, Student A has 38, 35, and 35. To arrive at the SI, the scores are added together and multiplied by 2 for a total of 216. Student B has scores of 35, 38 and 38, resulting in a Selection Index of (35 + 38 + 38) x 2 = 222."


We have not been able to access our scores online. The guidance counselor gave me scores: total 1460. Math 700, EWR 760 (we don't have the conversion number) So DS seems more like student B. So does that equal in for DC area?

According to my kid's score report 1400 (740 EWR/660 Math) put him in the 99th percentile amongst 10th graders-he is a freshman but i dont think they have as big enough sample soo they compare them to thge Sophomores.

For 9th grade, the maximum score is 720. The test is different from the sophomores'.

I guess that might be true for the PSAT 8/9, I am not really sure. My freshman took the regular PSAT/ NMSQT, the one the juniors take. I am sorry for any confusion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I

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.

".... Here is an example of how the formula also works against math students. Two students have Total PSAT Scores of 1460 out of a possible 1520. Student A has 760 in Math and 700 in EWR, while Student B has 700 in Math and 760 in EWR. Drilling down to individual test scores, Student A has 38, 35, and 35. To arrive at the SI, the scores are added together and multiplied by 2 for a total of 216. Student B has scores of 35, 38 and 38, resulting in a Selection Index of (35 + 38 + 38) x 2 = 222."


We have not been able to access our scores online. The guidance counselor gave me scores: total 1460. Math 700, EWR 760 (we don't have the conversion number) So DS seems more like student B. So does that equal in for DC area?

According to my kid's score report 1400 (740 EWR/660 Math) put him in the 99th percentile amongst 10th graders-he is a freshman but i dont think they have as big enough sample soo they compare them to thge Sophomores.

For 9th grade, the maximum score is 720. The test is different from the sophomores'.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I

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.

".... Here is an example of how the formula also works against math students. Two students have Total PSAT Scores of 1460 out of a possible 1520. Student A has 760 in Math and 700 in EWR, while Student B has 700 in Math and 760 in EWR. Drilling down to individual test scores, Student A has 38, 35, and 35. To arrive at the SI, the scores are added together and multiplied by 2 for a total of 216. Student B has scores of 35, 38 and 38, resulting in a Selection Index of (35 + 38 + 38) x 2 = 222."


We have not been able to access our scores online. The guidance counselor gave me scores: total 1460. Math 700, EWR 760 (we don't have the conversion number) So DS seems more like student B. So does that equal in for DC area?

According to my kid's score report 1400 (740 EWR/660 Math) put him in the 99th percentile amongst 10th graders-he is a freshman but i dont think they have as big enough sample soo they compare them to thge Sophomores.

^^ Not a math whiz myself and thank you everyone who has tried to figure this out!

Anonymous wrote:

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.

".... Here is an example of how the formula also works against math students. Two students have Total PSAT Scores of 1460 out of a possible 1520. Student A has 760 in Math and 700 in EWR, while Student B has 700 in Math and 760 in EWR. Drilling down to individual test scores, Student A has 38, 35, and 35. To arrive at the SI, the scores are added together and multiplied by 2 for a total of 216. Student B has scores of 35, 38 and 38, resulting in a Selection Index of (35 + 38 + 38) x 2 = 222."


We have not been able to access our scores online. The guidance counselor gave me scores: total 1460. Math 700, EWR 760 (we don't have the conversion number) So DS seems more like student B. So does that equal in for DC area?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Unfortunately, it's not clear that the cut-off will be lower for every State. Check out the College Confidential thread and Examiner link referred to by PPs. The latter includes the following statement from someone who sounds knowledgeable: "It’s possible we’ll see cut-offs in some states rise and in other states fall.”

DC has the highest cut scores in the country, MD & VA are in the top 5. There is no reason to believe that will change. However, reducing the overall points suggests most cut scores will need to be lowered.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Unfortunately, it's not clear that the cut-off will be lower for every State. Check out the College Confidential thread and Examiner link referred to by PPs. The latter includes the following statement from someone who sounds knowledgeable: "It’s possible we’ll see cut-offs in some states rise and in other states fall.”

Good discussion of scoring/cut offs for the 2015 PSAT

http://www.examiner.com/article/will-my-child-be-a-national-merit-scholarship-finalist?CID=examiner_alerts_article#utm_sguid=38728,b66c0b0c-cec2-e9cf-9a47-f22c269c416c