Can new PSAT 1480/1520 (99 percentile) score qualify as semi-finalist?

Paying for College National Merit Aid
1

I am residing in California.

2

I think your score will qualify for NMSF in California.

Last year’s CA cutoff was 222 on a test with a 240 max. Since the 2016 test has a max Selection Index score of 228 (95% of last year’s max), it’s likely that the 2016 CA Selection Index cutoff will drop to approximately 211, which is 95% of the 2015 cutoff.

You didn’t mention your Selection Index score, but I estimate that it’s around 222 and far higher than the 211 predicted for CA in 2016.

3

Curious how you came to 211 cut off for Cali. My D’s index is 210.

4

thanks. My selection index score is 220

5

I’m sorry to rain on your parade, but you should have a look at

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1849640-national-merit-cutoff-predictions-class-of-2017-p121.html

Apparently Testmasters got some Texas data that indicates that multiplying by 95% won’t give you the cutoffs. It also indicates that the Selection Index percentiles don’t reveal the cutoffs either (because they are based on a study group, not the actual test takers.) Many people are now predicting that California’s cutoff could be somewhere between 218- 222. Of course, this is all guess work. We will have to wait until September to find out the real truth of the matter.