<p>I don't think so, sorry.</p>
<p>That's weird....thanks to both of you for your replies. I'll check with my guidance counselor.</p>
<p>The PSAT is an important test, but do not forget that it is just one test and one day. Colleges know that. I know of several kids who choked on the PSAT but who later went on to excellent schools. Colleges look at the whole picture. Sure, $$$$ is a factor at many schools trying to lure top kids, but chances are, if you have an excellent record, there are many other scholarships out there from the same school. </p>
<p>I've seen the #1 kid in a class of 700 not make commended because of nerves. I've also seen a great kid who choked on the PSAT who turned around and had a 1590 on the old SAT. On the other hand, I have seen great test takers not make it beyond semi-finalist status because they did very little in high school and, as a result, had terrible grades. </p>
<p>Try to focus on your dreams and your goals, not how well you did on one test in October.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for posting the previous selection indices, jrpar. But I have a question: when you listed the 2005 cutoff marks, were those the cutoffs for the people who took the PSAT in 2005, or for the people who took the PSAT in 2004, but were notified of their national merit qualification in 2005? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot!
-B</p>
<p>I have a possibly dumb question:</p>
<p>I took the SAT my freshman and sophomore years. I took the PSAT my sophomore and junior years. I've probably made the NMS cut-off in my state. Does that mean I have to retake the SAT I to be verified as a finalist, or whatever, or will my scores from last year be OK? (I wasn't planning on retaking since I scored higher on my SAT than this year's PSAT.)</p>
<p>If that makes sense... Thanks.</p>
<p>Benjy - 2005 cutoff would be for those who took the test in 2004 but were notified in 2005. The 2006 cutoffs (for those who took the test in fall 2005) haven't been announced yet - they'll be announced late in August/early in September.</p>
<p>Thank you, jrpar.</p>
<p>"I took the PSAT as a sophomore and got 198. I took it again this year, my junior year, and got a 196!!! EERRRGGGG.........it was really frustrating. At least I jumped a point or two in math, my worst subject."</p>
<p>Hey Jackson. We could be twins. Exactly the same scores for sophomore and junior year. Did we get dumber as we get older?</p>
<p>haha i guess we did! it was disappointing, but hey. still a solid score, right?</p>
<p>Hi...I'm new to these boards :)
I have a question... I got a 225 on my PSAT (live in kentucky, where the cutoff is pretty low), unweighted GPA is 3.98ish, haven't taken the SAT so no idea how I'd do. </p>
<p>But my problem is, I'm not a citizen... I'm sixteen and have lived here since I was less than a year old, but I was born in another country. My parents' original intent was to wait until I'm 18 and then let me decide for myself which country's citizenship I want, or if I want both... they never thought about college or scholarships or anything. </p>
<p>On the PSAT I checked the box that said "No, I'm a permanent resident who will apply for citizenship as soon as the law allows"... except I've been eligible for US citizenship since I was 6 years old. I'm planning to apply for citizenship now, in the coming weeks, so that citizenship won't be a barrier for me in other college scholarships, etc... my question is, am I still eligible for National Merit?</p>
<p>it said earlier on this thread that the scores to be comended are the same nationally, does anyone know what they might be for this year? i live in illinois, and i think i fall into the range between being commended and being a finalist. i'm really nervous about it.</p>
<p>It's usually around 202, probably not more than one point difference either way.</p>
<p>chocolate89: Congratz on your 225! Unfortunately, I believe that if you are not a US resident that you cannot participate in the program...</p>
<p>Hey..could anyone tell me what the national merit cutoff for Kansas will be. I scored a 213 on the Oct/2005 PSAT. Thanks/</p>
<p>sr6622: thanks! I am a U.S. permanent resident, just not a citizen. I think I'll contact national merit and ask them or something, but thanks for the advice :)</p>
<p>Do PSAT cutoff scores ever go down from one year to the next? Just wondering.</p>
<p>Sounds to me like you could be considered, chocolate, if you do intend to apply for citizenship. Congratulations on a great score! </p>
<p>3. be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.</p>
<p>Excerpt taken from the following: <a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php</a></p>
<p>Yes, the cut-off scores to qualify to be a national merit finalist can go up or down each year and depend on the scores in the state where your HS is located. The cut off score is adjusted so that the same low fraction of a percentage of each state has NMSFs each year. It's much higher in some areas of the country than others.</p>
<p>For commended, it appears the cut off has been 202 for a few years now.</p>
<p>Here's info from one site about qualilfying:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php</a>
Qualifying
be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. </p>
<p>National Merit Scholarship Corporation
1560 Sherman Avenue
Suite 200
Evanston, Illinois 60201-4897
Main Telephone: (847) 866-5100
Main Fax: (847) 866-5113</p>
<p>It is possible but lately it seems that the "pressure" to excel to get into the "right" college has resulted in more students prepping for the PSAT (so they can list NM on their application). I'd be surprised if there are very many states where the cut-off goes down.</p>
<p>Hey would anybody know where to find the National Achievement Cut-offs? I haven't been able to find any yet...I would just need them for Kansas. Thanks :D</p>
<p>I went from 167 to 216.</p>