Can someone explain to me this new NMS index? My son got a 1480, his math score is higher that the english, but when we see his NMS index compare to another student with the same 1480 (but a higher english than math), the second student gets a higher NMS index making the Florida cut which my son missed by 3 or less points. It looks to me like there is something wrong with this calculation! A 1480 no matter how you get it should result on the same NMS index. I have an older NMF son from the 2015 class and a 215 no matter how you got it gave EVERYONE the same NMS index. Is the CB and the colleges aware of this issue? Will there by any adjustment for this, I hope, unintended bias result of the new test?
My oldest son got a full scholarship from UF because of his NMF status, that is a $20,000 scholarship renewable for 4 years! So we are very aware of the importance of NM index, specially when you have 4 kids entering college in a 5 year span.
Here is the explanation from another website:
How is the Selection Index calculated?
The Selection Index is double the sum of your Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Test Scores. For example, a student with scores of 34, 35, and 36 would have a Selection Index of (34+35+36)x2 = 210. Some students remember their section scores but not their test scores; the Selection Index is still easy to calculate. First, ignore the final zero in your scores; then double your EBRW score; then add your Math score. For example, a student with an EBRW score of 690 and a Math score of 720 would have a Selection Index of (69)x2 + 72 = 210. The two methods will always work because of the fixed relationship between test scores and section scores.
Why is the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) twice as important as the Math?
The emphasis on “verbal” skills has a long history with the NMSP. Even when there was no Writing section on the PSAT or SAT, the Verbal section was doubled and aded to the Math score for a 60-240 Selection Index range. Also, College Board considers Reading and Writing and Language to be separate tests. The scores are added when forming the 160-760 section score (200-800 on the SAT), but the tests roughly parallel the Critical Reading and Writing sections of the old PSAT. In short, the “doubling” is nothing new, is likely to continue, and will not significantly shake-up National Merit qualification.
The Selection Index is pretty much calculated the same as it aways was (R+W+M). For National Merit purposes just ignore the Total Score because it doesn’t factor at all into those considerations.
Total Score is nothing more than the weighted average of Reading and Writing added to the Math. It’s a way of looking at your PSAT on a 1600-total scale (which a lot of colleges prefer seeing for the SAT) while being able to factor in the writing portion (which a lot of colleges used to ignore). It is used primarily as a way to assess progress in the student’s readiness for college (from PSAT 8/9 to PSAT 10 to PSAT to SAT).
Why did College Board show “Total Score” in such a big font on the score report, thus causing confusion among parents and students? Because the NMSQT is not a growth business while getting in on the grad standard market definitely IS. The vast majority of PSAT takers weren’t vying for National Merit but were simply following their school district’s graduation requirements.
It has shaken my world. To see my second son, who has worked twice as hard, will most likely finish HS with a better GPA and more AP classes than his brother, miss NMS by less than 3 points brakes my heart.
@DP4Mom, not to sound insensitive, but there are more important things in life than NMS. For instance, health, having a roof over your head, clean water.
Besides, if your son really has taken advanced classes like APs, and has done well with a high GPA, I’m pretty certain he will be fine whichever college he decides to go to.
Instead of worrying about NMS, take your kid to the movies or go have some ice cream. He’s eventually going to leave the nest.
Then your heart will be truly broken.
If your son got a 1480, the lowest SI he can possibly get is 220 (i.e. 1480/10=148; if math is perfect (76), then English is 148-76=72. SI would be 72*2+76=220. Cutoff for FL is 217. If his score is truly 1480, then he made it in FL.
Folks keep saying it’s double English. It’s (Reading + Writing + Math) x 2. Reading and writing or different scores.
@DP4Mom I"m sorry your son didn’t make it but please encourage him that it’s one test and one honor. Is he discouraged or are you more frustrated about it?
@18yrcollegemin is correct. The minimum is 220 which should be good for most states. @DP4Mom what state are you in?
@Sportsman88 - that’s because when people say “english” they mean “reading + writing”. Most people look at it as 2 scores out of 800 - err, 760 - math, and “english” or “verbal” or whatever you want to call it. So someone who has a 1480, say they have a 760 math and a 720 verbal. You double verbal and add math (and divide by 10) to get a 220 selection index.
Reading and writing are just subscores of the verbal - at least that’s how I think of them.
@DP4Mom - If your son is a good student and FL resident he may qualify for Bright Futures.