Any thoughts on the PSAT 2020 and the possibility of its cancellation?
Will it be offered in some parts of the country but not others based on COVID rates?
Will it be offered to everyone online?
With the PSAT being a once-a-year test, cancelling it would be different than cancelling a SAT testing date that could be made up later. Albeit a small percentage of students, the lost chance to qualify for “National Merit” could have a detrimental effect on a student’s ability to qualify for scholarships or, at the very least, affect a student’s ability to distinguish himself/herself regarding admission to selective colleges.
@RealityCheck I have wondered this too! My D is class of 21 and missed commended cutoff, but I wonder what the affect the pandemic will have on testing for the class of 22. Will it just be “too bad” for those unable to test or no testing at all…maybe delay test to later? My H was NMS in the 80s and I believe it made a huge impact on his opportunity to help pay for college.
DD’s HS is saying they will be offering the SAT to seniors and the PSAT to juniors, who could come in to sit for the exam even if learning is remote (which, as of now, it is). I have to assume “unless the state shuts everything down again” is implied.
According to the College Board, “For fall 2020, you can test students across multiple PSAT/NMSQT administration dates. This flexibility already exists for the PSAT 8/9 and SAT School Day.” So it appears there is some flexibility for test dates this year, which might be what is allowing them to make that statement.
There have always been multiple test dates, but schools can only pick one. They have a deadline to order the number of tests they need for that one date. I hope the schools will administer the PSAT this year. My niece is a Junior and studying for it.
Our school is keeping the Oct 2020 date but I see there are multiple testing date options including one in January 2021. I am all for finding ways for remote teaching school districts to offer the test, but wondering how much this will delay the PSAT NM process. Also wondering if any colleges will drop scholarships tied to NM status if there is a perception the test was not available to all.
IIRC, the PSAT NM process was already somewhat lengthy. If you are counting on it to pay for or widen college options it will probably feel even longer.
Our high school is still offering the test in October. In the past, ALL juniors took it. This year it is optional, and only about 10% of the junior class signed up. I wonder how many of those students feel they have a reasonable shot at NMF status vs how many are just taking it for SAT practice? If every high school makes it optional, it’s going to be a pretty darned competitive year!
@vistajay If unable to take the test due to illness, extenuating circumstances etc. it’s possible to become a Semi-Finalist based on SAT (and probably ACT scores now.) Last-year, a student at my school become a NMSF this way. However, I do not know if NMSC is still offering that pathway this year, given that SAT/ACT scores will not be considered in the review process.
IMO, it’s likely that schools won’t drop the scholarships associated with NM status as it’s a way for big state schools (Alabama, Florida, Texas etc.) to entice students with strong stats to attend and is a number that these schools spread news about (ex: UCF’s website says it’s ranked in the top 30 for enrolling NMS.)
In the general 2022 Parents thread, some were discussing the potential impact on each state’s NMSF qualifying score if less people take it. Some were concerned that the score would go up if less people took the test, on the assumption those unable or not interested in taking the test were not as likely to be top scorers. Others believed the top percentage of each state which qualifies for NMF was based on population, not the actual number of test takers, such that the qualifying score would not be dramatically affected by less test takers. Thoughts?
Scores won’t go up. The College Board isn’t raising the ceiling. The cut-off will probably be about the same. If I am thinking this through correctly, it might “feel” more competitive, as the percentile where each score lands could move down a bit. It could be a little demoralizing for a student who was in the top 5% or so last year to now be in the top 30-40% (if only high performers sit for the exam across-the-board), despite his/her score being substantially equivalent or even slightly improved from last year.