<p>Is there any real significance of the PSAT (and NMSF) if you are not planning to apply to some state public college? I heard some people dont even put if they made NMSF when applying to Ivy Leagues since everyone gets it.</p>
<p>Like my score right now as a sophomore is over 210 (I dont know if thats NMSF in my state since they never told us), but I was wondering if I needed to devote some time over the summer to PSAT or should I be concentrating on other things?</p>
<p>I suggest you devote some time, I regret not studying before the PSAT, you get a lot of benefits I hear.</p>
<p>Well, my counselor REALLY pushes for NMS. She says its a big deal, and she can't be completely wrong, because she seems to be pretty good at getting kids into good schools.</p>
<p>But I bet most colleges recognize the "one score on one test on one day" factor.</p>
<p>My advice: study for the real SAT. You probably ought to do it anyway for the sake of taking it in the spring, and if it improves your PSAT in the fall and you get into the NMS range, so much the better. (btw, I'm sure there's a thread somewhere on CC that gives the normal ranges for NMS for each state. I bet you're well within the normal boundaries for commended but currently slightly below semifinalist.)</p>
<p>PSAT basically for me was like an ego thing. Our school heavily recognizes NMSF. Ha the 2,500 dollars is nice, but compared to 200000 dollar for ivy, its nothing. NMSF helps a lil, but not that much i hear.</p>
<p>Ya another point Silverchris brought up was that study for the real SAT and you will improve your PSAT scores as well. My friend who got National Merit Finalist said he had just studied for the real SAT he was taking anyway and ended up doing amazing on the PSAT.</p>
<p>If your just commended, should you put that down in a college app? Or does it not even matter?</p>
<p>Sure you should put it down. </p>
<p>Studying for the PSAT a ton really helped me for the SAT, and saved me some time</p>
<p>I believe my friends who will probably be commended are putting it on. I mean, even though it's one test, it's still a legitimate award, and therefore cannot hurt. If nothing else, it means you got a jump on your studying early, since you scored well on the PSAT while some students hadn't even started thinking about the SAT.</p>
<p>just study for the SAT</p>
<p>hhaha, well i wouldn't say a jump on studying... I didnt get the official letter saying im commended but 200 + is assumed right?</p>
<p>I would say prepare for it. Whats the worst that could happen, you become a NMSF? Even though most kids at ivy leagues have that distinction, don't you think that if you DIDN'T you would be looked at negativly? Plus, any amount of money helps.</p>
<p>In our school students take the PSAT since 9th grade mostly as a diagnostic tool. It helps for placement into advanced classes. It is only one test but since it's a national test, you learn where you stand among your peers. Many "sleepers" are discovered and for many others that seemed content with their grades it's a reality check (all 4.0s are not created equal).</p>
<p>I have been sent several scholarship applications along with a state honor application that I wouldn't have received with a lower score on PSAT score. For a person from a poor background, a high PSAT score is one of the best things you can do for yourself.</p>
<p>Public/State schools are more likely to give you LOTS of money if you make NMF. Being a commended student doesn't help you. Even making semifinalist doesn't really help you. I missed the semifinalist cutoff by one point and I really regret not studying just a little bit more to get that point. Also, if you're planning on applying to IV's, wouldn't it be better to have NMSF than to not have it? Because you'll be the only one with out it (since everyone gets it according to you). I applied to three IV's, and I think it would have helped me to have it.</p>
<p>it helps...i kinda regret doing badly.. but i had a dislocated knee and family issues during the psats...so i guess its circumstances..but i did so bad i did worse than sophmore year.....so study its a good thing to have</p>
<p>I personally don't think PSAT scores really matter, except for National Merit and stuff you're applying to before any SAT/ACT scores, since you'll just have SAT /ACT scores anyways.</p>
<p>I'd just study for the SATs</p>