<p>Hi guys</p>
<p>im not sure i understand how the PSAT/NMSQT works....</p>
<p>is it something like you make a really good score on the PSAT so you can get a scholarship or something?</p>
<p>someone help me please!</p>
<p>Thanks in advance...!</p>
<p>One good way of getting information is to use the "Search" link on this site. In a nutshell, if you do well your junior year on the PSAT, you may be recognized as a commended, semi-finalist, or finalist through the National Merit program. The commended cut-off this year appears to be 203 and the cut-offs for states vary. In 2006, the high was 222 (Massachusetts and other states) and the low was 204 (Mississippi, Wyoming and US territories).</p>
<p>So, if you are from Ohio and you had a score of 210 last year on the PSAT, you will be recognized as a commended scholar. If you had a 215, you would now be recognized as a semi-finalist and probably later as a finalist.</p>
<p>A good source of information is the National Merit Scholarship Corporation web site. You can see the steps in the 2007 competition on one of the links.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.nationalmerit.org/</a></p>
<p>Being named a semi-finalist/finalist is great news if you are considering many of the public colleges in-state. For example, in Ohio, you can be eligible for consideration for Ohio State's Distinguished scholarship which provides full tuition plus $4500 a year. </p>
<p>Ivy-types do not give any money out for National Merit, although they like to advertise how many National Merit scholars attend their schools. </p>
<p>Another thing to keep in mind is that the PSAT is one test, one day. Schools will look at the big picture. I know of one kid who had a perfect 1600 on the old SAT and for the PSAT he was only commended. As well, some kids do better their 10th grade year than their junior year because of nerves. </p>
<p>National Merit also gives out scholarships and that information is on their site.</p>