<p>I just got my results back today and my percentile was 93 and I got a 191, it wasn't my best day. There wasn't an * next to my number so it means that I meet requirements to enter NMSC competitions. But it also says that 53,000 out of 1.3 mill get it which is around 4%.<br>
So what kind of award would i get because I was in the top 7%?
Would I be a semifinalist?</p>
<p>No. I doubt you'd get anything and definitely not semifinalist. You probably just missed the commended cutoff unless you're black.</p>
<p>No, i'm white, what percentile are people that get commended, it said that I qualify for National Merit but thats it.</p>
<p>That lack of an * means you are eligible, not that you won anything. For example, I took the PSAT also in tenth grade. I was not eligible that year, so I had an * there. With a 191, you will not be commended.</p>
<p>Edit: To clarify, the * or lack thereof has nothing to do with a person's score. Just whether they meet requirements to receive NMSC scholarship standings if their score meets that level.</p>
<p>Unless things changed this year, an asterik means that you don't qualify to go further in the National Merit competition, according to my score report from sophomore year. I am a Semifinalist this year and the score from that report did not have an asterik next to the score.</p>
<p>why does it say that I qualify even though I can't get to the next step, what is the point of qualifying people even though they (national merit) already know that they will not go to the next step?</p>
<p>replying to the edit: so because I did not have an * it means that I meet the requirements, but what does having a standing mean?</p>
<p>Most people who take the PSAT meet the requirements of National Merit. But those requirements are only being a junior, and other random stuff like that that includes 80% of the people who take the PSAT. In order to move on, you need to meet a certain cutoff. Commended is around 200, those people don't get anything, just the recognition. Semifinalists are different for each state, usually around 210-220. Once you're a semifinalist, you need to fill out a college-application-like form and write an essay and then they determine whether or not you move on to finalist status. Afterwards, they give certain finalists awards. It's like playing the Lotto - living in a certain state qualifies you but that doesn't mean you'll win. You should really check out the National Merit website <a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.html</a> .</p>
<p>does anyone think that 202 could be commended this year? if it isn't im over it, bah psats i spit on you!</p>
<p>Most likely.</p>
<p>The most annoying part is when you are only one or two points away from being a semi-finalist. That's what happened to me. I also spit on the psat!</p>
<p>Meeting the requirements are things like, you're a full time junior or whatever, not personal things that have to do with your score.</p>
<p>Sara7246, I know! I've posted this before, but I needed to rant again. One point, one point! Why did I have to live in New York?</p>
<p>Thanks, I thought it was based on score, I can't believe I got below 200, on the practice tests I got a 208 :(</p>
<p>poor suburbian
ny's cutoff is ridiculously high</p>