NMSF & NMF difficulty

So sorry if this is a weird question, but I’m curious as to what other people opinions are. If someone scored a 33-34 on the ACT, would you say that they had a fair shot at scoring high enough on the PSAT to become a NMSF? I live in Missouri so for this scenario their averages and cutoff’s could be used.

I know that these two tests aren’t directly related and that asking it in terms of an SAT score have been more practical, but I’m making a slight assumption that people here can understand these enough to have a decent comparison.

Thank you for your responses and if any clarification is needed just let me know.

Note: These weren’t necessarily my scores or comparisons I’m making for personal situations so answers don’t need to be of that nature; however people can obviously answer however they please.

You cannot use ACT score to estimate the chance for NMSF, particularly it varies from state to state.

The Concordance value for a 34 is around a 2200+ for SAT (or 220 for PSAT) which should be NMSF for Missouri. That’s if you test at the same level which is no guarantee.

I think you would definitely have a solid chance. However, you need to practice the psat because some questions on the test are quite different.

Get a practice PSAT or SAT book and see how you do.

You have what it takes to score well, you just have to do so.

edit…you’re half black. You can more easily make NASF and NAF.

But, I’m confused…aren’t you already a high school senior? If so, it’s too late to take the PSAT. Did you take the PSAT junior year??

Yes, I’ve taken the ACT, SAT, and PSAT. I’m just making inquiries.

What did you get? Are you a NMSF?

Midwest small state here.
every year the state’s largest newspaper lists kids who are at the top of their class (small towns) or have 32+ higher on ACT. I’ve paid attention to NMSF & NMF at my kids’ schools – the number is nowhere near the number of kids with the 32+ ACT score. eg: 12 NM C/SF/F/ & 42 ACT kids; and eg: 1 NMF & 16 ACT kids. The ratio between high ACT and NM kids is not similar.

my guess is that SAT is not pushed in midwest . . . basically there’s no practicing nor tutoring going on for PSAT. It’s just sprung on the kids! Much more focus is placed on ACT with classes, practicing, study sessions etc.

The PSAT is not just sprung on the kids unless they are not paying attention. Many schools offer an opportunity to take the test for practice in the Freshman and Sophomore years. Most schools also have testing starting in 2nd or 3rd grade (or earlier) that mimic the type of questions asked. (I grew up in a small town, in a small mid-western state)

While there are differences between the ACT and SAT, there are typically not drastic differences in how someone scores. When you see big differences, it is a warning sign that the test-taker may not have prepared at all (or that he/she prepared only to ‘beat’ a particular test rather than study information…techniques versus knowledge).

Agree with Torveaux. It isnt just “sprung on” the kids. They take it in 10th and often in 9th as well. And if they do their research and realize its importance for potential scholarship $, they should prep for it, IMO. The cutoff scores are the top .5-1% scorers for each state. so it is a select few.

We’re in the South, the PSAT is an unusual test to take around here, only a handful of kids out of my son’s class took it. Even the SAT is something they do on their own. There is no §SAT prep or practice tests at all in my son’s school. We had no idea it was such a “big deal”. My two older boys (both in college now) were never even told about the test. They most definitely concentrate on the ACT in our area.
My son scored a 201 on the PSAT and a 35 on the ACT.

We are in Colorado and the PSAT was definitely sprung on my daughter last year. No prep sessions offered, no sophomore practice test (not allowed). She scored a 202 on the PSAT and a 34 on the ACT.

Thanks for the responses. Would you think that those students w/ higher scores that didn’t have the PSAT ‘sprung on’ them or were more aware of it would have earned the few extra points to obtain NMF status?

@jym626 206, no.

I’m just asking questions out of interest.

Perhaps schools anticipate that students will do their homework and look into the PSAT. Am also in the south and it was given in 9th , 10th and 11th. Never “sprung” on them with no notice.

Also, PSAT is taken in the beginning of Junior year. I would imagine many of the those 32+ where taken at the end of Junior year of first half of senior year, a year of additional math and language can make a difference.

Also, taking the ACT at a time of your own choosing, when you feel ready / had time to study, is different dynamic than a once a year PSAT sitting in the middle of Fall term

A better comparison is ACT to SAT since they are usually taken around the same time in a students matriculation.

It’s awfully hard to “do your homework” when you have no idea what you’re supposed to be looking for. PSAT’s weren’t even mentioned at my son’s school until the day the applications were due. And then it was just a casual : “Hey if you guys want to practice taking a college test, this one may work for you…”. Yes, that was the guidance counselor. Nothing was EVER done at school to prepare them for this. The actual test was at the school system’s central office, not at school. (We also have to drive an hour to the nearest SATII testing center).
As I said earlier, I guess youngest son was “lucky” the guidance counselor even mentioned it at all. My older two boys never heard anything about it.
I didn’t grow up in this country and my husband went to college courtesy of his employer, neither one of us knew anything about the PSAT.

As far as the kids doing better on the test with some prep work? I’d imagine it can’t hurt.

Actually, don’t believe thats true, CaucAsiandad. Most students will have completed the required math by fall of junior year (Algebra I, II and basic trig). The new SAT will have a component of theoretical math understanding and graphic literacy. Especially for those students who want to take the current SAT rather than the upcoming new one, they have only until Jan '16 to do so, so they might choose to take these tests relatively close together (despite the fact that the upcoming PSAT will be in the new format). I know of many juniors who hope to have their standardized testing out of the way before senior year.

My D’s school tells the 10th grade students to take PSAT as a practice. It is a useful experience. My D1 took it in 10th grade as an option and she did end up to be NMF 2 years later. Now the school offers it to all 10th graders automatically and my D2 is taking it as a 10th grader.

@bdnation5 You are half-black. WHY weren’t you named a National Achievement Semi-Finalist??? You 206 is high enough for that.

@mom2coIIegekids I believe the National Achievement program is phased out as of this year. See http://www.nationalmerit.org/nasp.php and read the “Transition” section.