<p>How much do i need to improve to be considered for some of these perks the PSAT comes with</p>
<p>The PSAT “perks” is the National Merit Scholarship and its other levels. The qualifying year for this test is in your junior year, so you have quite a bit of time. </p>
<p>Qualifying scores depend on what state you live in. Some states are more competitive than others, requiring higher PSAT scores. Commended scholars are scores slightly below the qualifying scores for each state. Also, the qualifying scores change every year. </p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, scores are usually 205+</p>
<p>Check the official link for more information.</p>
<p>[National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation - NMSP](<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php]National”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php)</p>
<p>i live in california so i think its pretty competetive</p>
<p>California is one of the most competitive states. You need to get mid 220s to be safe for NMSF. Perhaps, you can move to another state before Junior year. ;-)</p>
<p>^You can try doing that ;)</p>
<p>it’s a bit early to start worrying about this…</p>
<p>No one knows or sure, and every year stands on its own with a definite bias to the upside. (scores are getting higher). In two years a CA, NMSF score could be as high as 222-225. A 186 Frosh year is a good start. But I’d project that your still 36-40 points away. GL</p>
<p>A good PSAT score itself makes you a semifinalist. Then your grades, leadership, ec’s make you a finalist. The perk of being a finalist is that you get the NMSF scholarships, on top of hoards of schools that will probably give you full tuition (or maybe even a full ride). Granted, a lot of these schools aren’t too great…</p>
<p>186 as a freshman isn’t bad. I got 198 my freshman year and in my junior year, I got a 223 on my PSAT and a 2300 on my SAT first try. My point is that over the next couple of years you will naturally develop mentally and your (P)SAT test scores will have a nice upward trend. I’d say that you can expect, by your Junior year, to hit above a 200, probably even 210. </p>
<p>That being said, I don’t think you should stress out over it too much unless you’re in a low income bracket and you’re trying to net a couple of full-ride acceptances. For example, Fordham University in New York waives full-tuition for semifinalists and USC gives 1/2 off automatically (given that you get in). UT Austin has a competitive full-ride scholarship, and OU, UNM, UNLV will pay for your entire college experience. The catch is that a lot of these schools aren’t very good (especially UNLV with a 13% grad rate), which will be why they’d want you. So just keep your eyes open.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>