<p>What would be a target score for the NMS (at least commended) and National Achievement. Just took it today, expecting anywhere from a 200-215. Georgia resident (since I know it's different from state to state)</p>
<p>The target number for Commended for all states is often around 201 or 202. It can change each year.</p>
<p>For Georgia, 215 was this year’s cut-off and it hasn’t changed much in the last few years (it was 214 the year before). So, if you get an 218/219, you should be safe. You’ll find out in Dec or Jan (depending on when your school passes out the results).</p>
<p>that’s good. Im expecting a 65 CR, a perfect 80 M, and W is really the wild card (I could honestly get anywhere from a 60 to 75). So that’s in the 205-220 range!</p>
<p>I usually recommend 220 as a target to practice for because that leaves a little breathing room regardless of state.</p>
<p>What about California?</p>
<p>California’s cut-off hasn’t been over 219, so a 220 should be safe.</p>
<p>Could it possibly drop to 218 this year?</p>
<p>Yes…any state can fluctuate a few points either way. </p>
<p>Since you don’t know your score yet, why do you ask?</p>
<p>National Achievement would be a lot lower number, I just don’t know what it would be.</p>
<p>I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up until December decisions. Full tuition and reduced housing at UA-Tuscaloosa if I am at least a semifinalist (NMS and NA), so the stakes are high baby! UA would be a clear safety for me, but there’s no way I would go there at full price.</p>
<p>^ I remember feeling the same way last year. The day the scores finally arrived was a wonderful, wonderful day :)</p>
<p>^^what school are you at now? Or are you a senior? And what was you score?</p>
<p>^
I’m a senior. My PSAT score was 227.</p>
<p>I’m applying to several big NMF schools - Nebraska, Tulsa, and Northeastern - as well as some smaller merit schools - IA State, Minnesota, Mines, and maybe Wyoming or Montana State - and no-merit schools - Cornell, Northwestern, and maybe WUSTL.</p>
<p>oops…I just realized that the OP was asking about National Achievement. Don’t know what that cut-off is. I think it’s below 200.</p>
<p>What is National Achievement? My son just took the PSAT this weekend.</p>
<p>@noimagination</p>
<p>WUSTL has merit aid … as does Chicago, Duke, Vanderbilt, and many other TOP privates.</p>
<p>*She has been unemployed for at least 8 months out of the year so I’m guessing her income will be in or around $30,000. *</p>
<p>National Achievement is for African American students. They are given special recognition for having strong achievement on the PSAT. The scholarships for NA are often the same as for National Merit.</p>
<p>*
WUSTL has merit aid … as does Chicago, Duke, Vanderbilt, and many other TOP privates. *</p>
<p>True, but their NMF merit is very small (like $1k-5k per year) compared to what other schools are giving.</p>
<p>
Good point: I should have said that they don’t have merit aid I’m likely to qualify for. In any case, those schools are of rather less interest to me than the others I’m considering.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids- actually, I’m talking about both. I feel I did well enough to get a 200+ and maybe even a 215 (for Natl Merit), but there’s so much pressure. If I made some careless errors and dont make at least Natl Achievement SF, I can kiss all my OOS schools goodbye.</p>