Wait, did someone say that you can use the ACT score to “confirm” PSAT scores to apply for NM? I did not think that was the case (thought it was only SAT because they’re different companies). Please advise?
@fretfulmother The ACT score used for confirmation is new for 2020.
@momzilla2D is the commended not state-specific?
@MAmom111 DS did SAT in August and that was his prep for PSAT, his school requires all students to take PSAT8/9, PSAT10 as well, so he is familiar with the format. You could also have your DD give ACT a try, as some kids do better on ACT format.
Commended is not state specific
So Commended is a national-level honor, and NMSF is a state-level honor. 
Lol @bigmacbeth :))
Ha ha @bigmacbeth
I think Commended is the same as the lowest states NMSF, right? That’s what I heard.
Last years index was 212 and Art Sawyer’s site is predicting it will stay the same or go up by 1 point. I hope it stays the same as one of my daughter’s friends might make commended if it doesn’t budge.
3.64% of the class of 2018 got 1400+ and commended was 211
3.85% of the class of 2019 got 1400+ and commended was 212
4.08% of the class of 2020 got 1400+
This was in the Art Sawyer article.
There maybe more numbers closer to 1400 this year compared to other years. Nobody knows.
I am baffled by all of this, though I’ve had a kid place at NMSF and Commended. Can’t do any type of numbers at all.
So, my kid is in the 99th% nationally, and 98th for all PSAT takers, but does not even come close to being Commended? Good gracious.
The 10/24 PSAT test curve was brutal. My daughter’s friends are getting back their results and getting scores like 1450 with only -1 in math and -1 in Writing. So two wrong answers on the entire test are knocking people well out of NMSF range in our state.
Our school changed from the original date to the 10/24 date after a tragic death at our school the first week of Oct.
My daughter wasn’t able to take the 10/24 test and is doing alternate entry.
Our school had 20 NMSF and 27 commended this year. Guessing that will change drastically for the class of 2020. These kids have been through a lot this year. I hate that they got hit with his terrible curve too.
@brentwoodmom, so sorry to hear that! It may be the wrong thing to say, but hope it was an accident or a health issue and not a suicide. A few years back, our neighboring high-achieving high-pressure schools had a suicide epidemics (of course, official denied that). Made me appreciate our “average excellent” high school even more
D20’s PSAT scores were released this morning. She got a 1380, 70 points better than she scored last year. She’s disappointed that she didn’t even probably make Commended, but I think she did great, considering how much standardized tests have always been hard for her. Can someone tell me what a 1380 on the PSAT would “convert” to if it was a regular SAT score? D loves the University of Alabama, and their Presidential merit scholarship minimum SAT score is 1420. I’m trying to figure out if D needs more test prep, or if she will probably get something close to a 1420 with her current ability to get a PSAT 1380 score.
@hgtvaddict Roll Tide! Our ds graduated from there in May. He had a great UG experience. Definitely zero regrets on choosing Bama"
Are all 10/24 PSAT scores out? My dd took the test at a school in Costa Rica, where she was in an exchange program for the term. Her scores are still not available. Thought it was due to later test, but it seems other 10/24 takers have their scores. Could it be the international factor (she used her school in CT’s code)? Am worried that the Costa Rica school may have messed up something because they did say they’re “not used to administering the PSAT.”
@JCAmine, as far as I know, other kids on international exchanges and programs have all been able to access their scores. Fingers crossed that you can get your D’s soon.
We hit the 212 number. 50 higher on the math 20 lower on the English. I don’t think she knows anything about commended and I’m not bringing it up.
I think I just answered my own question after searching the internet. Looks like a 1380 PSAT score is roughly equivalent to a 1410 SAT score?
@hgtvaddict - If you haven’t noticed, CB provides a projected SAT score range in PSAT score report. That would be a decent projection. My guess is that your D can easily exceed target SAT score with some focused practice.