It is a great point. With my older daughter, she got a great score - but was sick on the day of the SAT and we didn’t push her, having no idea there was a deadline to be met for taking the SAT for NMSF requirements. What a disaster. She was commended, but lost the opportunity for NMSF. I absolutely fault the school as well, but the lesson is, YOU are responsible for figuring all of this stuff out. We will not make the same mistake with our next child (who just got a 1450 on the PSAT).
@disshar – I don’t know where I read this, but somewhere on the CC site last year, a parent verified with CB that the old SAT would be accepted for verification for NMSF. My son completed his testing fall of 2015 and plans to use that score for verification, so I hope CB does not change their position.
For at least the past few years, the validation SAT score has been 1960. There is no requirement to get higher validation scores in higher cutoff states. If you do the math just by multiplying by 2/3, that would be about 1300 on the new SAT out of 1600. Though they may do it by percentiles, which could differ.
If they do not make changes to the normal window for taking the SAT, scores from October 2014 to December 2016 will be OK for validation scores.
My freshman took the PSAT this year. For those who have had NMSF qualifying scores, or expect to, their Jr year, what were your/your DCs scores Freshman year (if they took it that year). Of course the scale is different with the new test but just for comparison
My daughter’s selection index this year is 189. Percentile rank compared to Sophomores is 95th. I’m guessing with some prep and practice she might have a shot in two years at NMSF here in KS but I’m not sure how scores change between Freshman and Junior year.
@BertieMom - As a current NMSF senior, I got a 208 Freshman year (roughly a 198 by the new scale) and improved 32 points over the next two years (4 points 9 to 10, 28 10 points to 11). That improvement would put your daughter comfortably in NMSF for any state at around 219- just make sure that she keeps working and improving. There are plenty of people whose scores jumped dozens of points in one year, while others don’t even improve. The most important thing to do is to keep taking practice tests, and you can get your score just about wherever you want it.
Hi, I am a junior HS student (Class of 2017) in the State of Florida.
My PSAT score is 1490 (Reading and Writing 740 Math 750) with a NMSC selection index of 223. In reading online I am real confused on my chance of NMSC as I see all sort of projections, sliding scales, concordance tables etc…but the general feeling I got after reading all those is I will have a fair shot at making the cut for NMSF, one can only hope anyways 
I have already taken the SAT in Nov 2015 and my test scores are CR 720 W 790 Math 800 Overall 2310 plus during the summer SAT subject tests Chemistry 760 Math Level 2 800.
My question is I am planning to be done with testing the SAT and will NOT sit for the new SAT. HOWEVER, is there any chance when they do evaluation for the “CUT OFF SAT SCORE” they would require the new SAT scores and will not accept old SAT? I hope I don’t have to sit for the new SAT simply to satisfy some technicality on the NMSF selection?
Without a doubt, your PSAT score will get you named as NMSF from Florida in September. Your Oct. 2015 SAT score will satisfy the requirement for a confirming score. At this point, the only thing that can negatively affect your promotion to NMF is one or more C grades, or worse, on your transcript, a poor recommendation from your school, or a negatively worded essay.
Hi, I am new here. My son is a junior and got his PSAT score of 1480 yesterday. His counselor didn’t give him the selection index (online access not working) but I’m guessing he will be 220-224. In Kansas, even on the old scale, that would be enough to gain him NMSF.
We are new to this whole thing and I’m a bit confused on the timing and the process.
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What keeps approximately 1000 NMSF from becoming NMF? My son’s grades are solid (no Cs), he will get a good recommendation from his school, and I’m sure he’ll do a good enough job on the essay. Are those the major things that trip people up? Oh, and he will either take the SAT in March or October.
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When does the child designate their school of choice? I am assuming it is sometime in the fall after NMSF are announced and before NMF announcements? I just became aware that this might offer him scholarship opportunities which we hadn’t expected and have spent most of the day researching Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, Florida, etc. We have a lot of work to do to figure out the best option for him as his one choice.
Thanks!
@BertieMom I got a 207 freshman year. This year I got a 222, which is roughly a 225-235 on the old scale according to concordance tables and ratios. Every source I have looked at seems to indicate that I can reasonably expect to achieve NMSF in Oregon. Some of my friends started out in the 180s and 190s and made it to the same range as I got by taking challenging classes and putting serious time into preparation. Good luck!
@datahead There is a very good FAQ at the top of the National Merit forum list that covers these things in detail.
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The things that knock the unlucky 1000 out of NMF consideration are: a) more than one “C” semester grade on the transcript; b) a poor personal recommendation from the high school administration; c) a negatively worded essay; d) a SAT confirmation score below an established minimum (1960 on the 2400 point SAT; probably 1310-ish on the 1600 point SAT); or e) failure of the student, or school, to turn in all required information to NMSC.
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School of choice needs to be designated by May 1 of the student’s senior year.
Thanks chucktaylor1. I found that FAQ last night just after posting my question, but I appreciate your helpful response. I just found college confidential yesterday and I’m just learning my way around!
I feel what is sure to be a common feeling: it smacks of hubris to proceed as if a NMSF spot is a sure thing, but it would be very hard to get a grasp on options if we wait until after official announcements are made.
Does anyone have a suggestion regarding the best review books or courses for the new SAT?
I’m going to buy either the Barron’s or Kaplan SAT book for my son. Kaplan worked well for the old SAT, and Barron’s was great for my younger son studying for the new PSAT.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Try Khanacademy.org and the 4 practice tests.
What’s the best way to prepare for the new PSAT? I took it for fun without practice in 9th grade and I got 1270 total(96th percentile), with 610 reading/math (92nd percentile), and 660 math(97th percentile). I’m confident that if I take it for practice in 10 grade my score will improve just because I have a better feel for the test. Is it a reasonable goal to try for National Merit Scholar by 11th? Any steps, methods, or tips in doing so would be appreciated.