<p>I wonder how the new SAT test will effect future National Merit semifinalists... Since it is going back to a 1600 scale, they will have to change the corresponding score to meet. Also, there will be no penalty for a wrong answer. It won't effect my DD who is a finalist this year, but I have 2 more kids that will take the PSAT in the future. </p>
<p>I guess the PSAT may also be changed accordingly. The confusion is when a student took SAT in both old and new format, how is his/her NMSF status verified.</p>
<p>Only 1 more PSAT before the overhaul in Oct 2015. The New PSAT will precede the new SAT which is set to debut in the Spring of 2016.</p>
<p>See here from CB FAQ’s:</p>
<p>Is the PSAT/NMSQT changing too?</p>
<p>Yes, the PSAT/NMSQT will change together with the SAT and is planned to launch in October 2015. This schedule will allow students to take the redesigned PSAT/NMSQT before the redesigned SAT. As with all work on the assessment redesign, quality is of paramount importance. We are working closely with our cosponsor, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, to release an assessment and scholarship resource that ensures students are recognized for and take advantage of the opportunities they have earned.</p>
<p>I’m not crazy that S17 will be with the first group to take the new PSAT. Guess he’ll be prepping with Khan Academy new SAT prep in spring 2015.</p>
<p>From my understanding the SAT will be “easier” than the present one. I’ve been on this forum for about 5 years and I’ve noticed that in that time many universities took away their NMF scholarships or have decreased what they give. My first thought after hearing that the SAT was changing is if the remaining universities would view this negatively and change their awards accordingly. I sure hope not but I do think this might be a possibility in the future.</p>
<p>kjcphmom- I was worried about the same thing. I hate to see the test changed. I definitely don’t want the NMF scholarships to disappear. These kids work so hard and deserve the recognition. It just seems that this country is getting away from rewarding hard work… #-o I have noticed people say that the affluent kids have an advantage but that is not always so. I gave my older DD three used practice books that we picked up at a used book store. We did not pay for test prep. She was dedicated to studying for it every day and it paid off.</p>
<p>@SoWest - Do you have 17 sons? Am I misunderstanding the code. I thought S meant son and the number was the number in your family.</p>
<p>@Torveaux Many people use S# to designate the HS graduation year, so S17 is a son who will graduate from high school in 2017.</p>
<p>Thanks! I was very confused.</p>
<p>If they go back to a 1600 point scale, they will probably do what they did many years ago, and count the verbal double - to them to keep qualifying scores in the same range. The reduction in NMF scholarships may be less about the quality of students, and more about the number of students wanting to cash in. </p>
<p>My son got in just in time, as verbal is his weakest subject. He’s a math kid, and he rocks the grammar. Why can’t math count double, LOL!</p>