<p>addieg21, please don’t feel like an epic failure! Your hard work did pay off in that you improved your scores. Going from 177 to 186 is an improvement – and on the SAT would be a 90 point increase.
Unfortunately, when you see the high scores reported by posters on CC, it can feel like everyone is achieving those scores, but that is not the case. Also, it is hard not to feel bad when there is so much hype about NMSF, but I assure you that your performance in your classes in school and on the SAT and/or ACT will be more important than the PSAT in the long-run. </p>
<p>FWIW, I have children who scored in the 99th percentile, but did not qualify as NMSFs because we live in a high cut-off state. While their overall composite scores went up from sophomore to junior year, each of them also experienced a decrease in one section of the test – enough to keep them from NMSF. They wound up doing even better on the SAT and ACT and, got merit scholarships at multiple colleges, and are very happy where they ended up.</p>
<p>My advice to you would be to go over what you got wrong on the tests you have taken, and continue to practice and work hard in your classes. Don’t despair…test scores are only one part of any applicant’s record, and there are colleges which are test optional for admissions. Also, remember that many colleges “superscore” SATs, meaning they will take the best individual section scores (CR, M, W) from multiple tests and combine them for the highest possible overall, so even a modest improvement in one area can really make a difference.</p>
<p>Be proud of your progress! Keep up the good work and best wishes to you for much success on your SATs and/or ACTs!</p>
<p>Because last year’s scores equaled or exceeded previous high scores in almost every state, for this year’s test we can expect a correction, with scores, overall, lower than last year. Of course, a state may prove the exception. Looking at the chart and last year’s scores, you can see for yourselves the historical range for each state.</p>
<p>As for Commended – I vaguely remember something about it having a relationship to the 96th percentile. I can’t remember whether it correlates to the top or the bottom of that band, but it is somewhere in last year’s thread. If someone finds that, perhaps they will post. </p>
<p>Added: Looking around the web, I see references to Commended being “within the 96th percentile.” This year, the 96th percentile begins at 200.</p>
<p>I forgot to ask in my last post–my daughter just took the SAT after getting a 220 (Indiana) on the PSAT. She did better on the SAT. Does this test count as the one she will be asked to take if she is a NMSF or does she have to take it next Fall when the semi-finalists announced? Thank you!</p>
<p>VHFather and isaelijohjac…Congrats to your kids on their great PSAT scores!!</p>
<p>The next “step” in the NM process won’t occur until next September when the official state cutoff scores are announced and their HS will be sent letters naming them NMSF and describing the application package for NMF consideration.</p>
<p>VHFather…If your son has not taken the SAT since the beginning of his sophomore year, then he will need to take it and achieve a “qualifying” score for submission with his NMSF package. In the past, the “qualifying” score has been 1960 using a formula of M+CR+(10 x Writing Multiple Choice sub-score). Generally, if your overall SAT score is 1960 you’ll make the qualifying score using their formula as well but you may see 2000 listed as a “target” score just to be safe.</p>
<p>isaelijohjac…Any SAT sitting from the student’s sophomore year through December of their senior year will count towards the “qualifying” score. Your D will need to submit her score to NMSC as part of the NMSF package next September using their code (#0085 I believe).</p>
<p>There is a stickied thread at the top of the NM forum that will help to answer a lot of the questions you might have about the process. Folks on the forum are always willing to help as well, so feel free to ask. :)</p>
<p>One step that would be helpful before September is to look through the thread of schools that currently offer good scholarships to NMFs. Start researching some, and think about visiting ones that interest you this summer. Once September rolls around, there is not a lot of time to actually visit schools. It is true that you will not know if you are a NMSF until the fall, but waiting until then to start puts a lot of pressure at the beginning of senior year.</p>
<p>Some schools do not offer much to NMFs. Others offer an almost full ride. Make sure you have one or 2 of these schools ready to apply to early. Even if they are not your top choice, it is good to have a back up plan in place that will cover expenses. You never know what life brings you. It is a huge comfort knowing that option is covered.</p>
<p>My son’s PSAT score dropped from a 210 last year to a 200 this year. So that was painful. CR 73 M 67 Writing 60. His writing score last year was a 72 and this year it was a 60. No idea why it dropped so much. Overall 96% for juniors. We are in TX.</p>
<p>Wild, please do not be so hard on yourself. Everyone hopes to get a high score and achieve NMSF status, but the truth is that most of us (even many very bright students) will not. The primary purpose of the PSAT is to help you determine your weak areas, so that you can begin to work on those in preparation for the actual PSAT or ACT (which is what colleges and universities will look at, after all). Examine your mistakes, work on those areas, take several practice tests, and you will do better on the SAT.</p>
<p>My daughter made a 177 in Mississippi. She’s in eighth grade, so it is really helpful to see where she needs improvement. My son made a 185; he is in ninth grade. A lot of his ninth-grade friends made above 180 and one ninth-grader made a 200.</p>
<p>In my opinion any ninth grader making a 180 or above has a freshman has a good chance of making a 205 or so as a junior. This Mississippi cutoff this year was 207, but my guess is that next year’s cutoff will be 205, as this year’s PSAT was harder.</p>
<p>I’d love it if their scores were higher, but overall I am pleased.</p>
<p>Trying to figure out my chances for commended student. I got a 200 (96th percentile). Does anyone know the percentile for 199 or 198? According to the document, the data from College Board’s understanding-psat-nmsqt-scores.pdf is from the 2012 test, not the 2013 test.</p>
<p>Arizona, between 200-220 (our GC’s will give exact scores and information on how to register for the SAT/ACT next week, uggh.)</p>
<p>I hate myself. I was really looking forward to getting NMF and a crapload of cash from Texas A&M, AZ State, and other schools like that. Looks like that won’t happen. What do you usually get for commended?</p>
