I too hate that we parents that need merit money are chained to college board…
My kiddo’s PSAT8/9 scores: EBRW 640 (120-720) and Math 720 (120-720)
Yep. if she can’t improve the EBRW then there will be no NMF in our future.
So Erica Metzer’s books CR and W books will be poured over with a microscope (in the future) as we need merit money!
@BingeWatcher, I wouldn’t read much into PSAT 8/9. My S had something like a 188 or 189 SI on his freshman year PSAT. Granted that was on the old scale, but his critical reading was below the 90th percentile although I think writing and math were above the 95th. A fine score but nothing that screamed “future NMF contender”. Sophomore year was 220 SI and 99th percentile across the board, and this year was 222 SI. So much will change over the next few years, definitely no need to worry about junior year PSAT this far out. Maybe have her do a bit of prep before sophomore PSAT, and then hit the prep hard before junior PSAT. By then she’ll have much more knowledge and should be very comfortable with the exam format. Her score is really good for a freshman!
@snowfairy137 The same regular Wednesday date. So you probably missed a different question.
Is anyone actually discussing projected cut offs vs last year? I’m curious to see how cut offs might change in the second year of the new exam.
College Panda is now backing off their warning that there will be a big jump in state cutoff scores:
“Some readers have been writing in to say that all of the College Board’s percentile data is flawed/mean nothing/inflated last year/a load of malarkey. If this is the case, then obviously my analysis in the video above is flawed. You’re welcome to leave comments and I’ll continue to look at the situation, but I’ll give the College Board some credit for now (they are, after all, the official test makers)…”
^^^ these yo-yo predictions are going to cause me to need Xanax!
@traveler98, she is actually an 8th grader, and looking at her score report, she missed 7 in writing and 2 in reading, none in math. so yes, I too think she did great. I am praying Texas does not move above 220!
“College Panda is now backing off their warning that there will be a big jump in state cutoff scores”
I stopped watching his video after he showed the CB report that a 209 SI was 99%. Obviously that was incorrect, since the Commended cutoff equates to 97%.
@BingeWatcher that’s a great score for an 8th grader! I took the old PSAT in 9th grade, but I got a 68 (680) in reading and 65 (650) in writing, so I’m sure she’ll also improve as she gets older. I would suggest reading a lot and taking honors English to help her improve. At least were I live they teach a lot of grammar concepts in honors English, which seems to be her weak point right now. Thankfully, learning grammar rules is easier to improve than reading comprehension.
Thank you so much @snowfairy137, I do think the grammar part will be easier to prep. . Just subscripted The Economist.
College Panda has a final update on the matter:
“Final update (for now): As readers have rightfully pointed out, The College Board percentile data that’s been released is meaningless in terms of evaluating this year’s students because they base it on last year’s performance. Therefore, my prior analysis, which predicted a high jump in cutoffs, is invalid. Thanks to all of you who patiently cleared this up for me and I wish I had realized this before sounding the alarm. I think we can all agree The College Board needs to be more transparent in how they come up with their numbers. The good news is that the calculator below is once again currently the best predictor of what the cutoffs will be. Best of luck!”
Anyone think Michigan cutoff will go down to 215? I know last year was 216 but projected range is 215-218. My index is 215 so just wondering if I have a shot.
My D is a junior in ND and got an index of 215. She has already taken the ACT and did not intend on taking the SAT but it looks like she stands a good chance of being SF and possibly NMF. Wondering what is the minimum SAT score she would need ?
@bullishmom For the class of 2017, the SAT confirmation score is a selection index, calculated the same way as the PSAT’s SI. I’m pretty sure the SI needed is 209, the same as the PSAT commended score. That may fluctuate a little for the class of 2018.
That’s exactly the same score my son made. Congrats but it is agonizing.
@EKolin I got the exact same index! I live in Michigan too. although I thought last year it was 210?
Edit: I’m wrong, it was 216
I have an idex of 219 
I’m also in California. Do I even have a chance?
EDIT: how do you calculate your projected range, and what is the projected range for California? Thanks 
@gene167e7 , That is a very nice score and still within potential range. You are pretty much guaranteed to be at least Commended. This link may be helpful…
http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/
Good luck to you and Congratulations.
Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is for the Texas SI not to go above 221 for the class of 2018!
@3scoutsmom - You’re probably in good shape for SI 221!