PSAT results are now available on Naviance (but not yet from College Board) from the October test. Understanding that there will be additional test dates before CB states the index required for “Commended” status, does anyone have any insight as to the bar for the class of 2023?
With the exception of last year (207), which had many fewer PSATs taken then usual, every year since Class of 2016 had the Commended cutoff between 209 and 212 inclusive. If I had to bet, it’ll be in that range again.
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I was thinking the same although it might skew lower due to total test takers not getting fully back to normal, as well as covid educational loss/gap as it pertains class of 2023.
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- Just a guess for fun!
as long as it is 213 or less, I like your prediction!
Curious what a good PSAT composite score is for a current sophomore? Thanks.
“good” is way too subjective to answer.
Good for an Ivy League type school probably means being in or around NMF territory even as a sophomore- so 218+.
But I would not let a Sophomore PSAT deflate or inflate a 15 year old.
I hear you. Just trying to get a sense of where she stands at this point. How does the 218 compare to the composite score (i.e. out of 1520)?
about 1450-1460
I’m not aware of any additional PSAT test dates.
Art at Compass Prep has posted his 2023 predictions, as he has for many years. He’s probably as informed as anyone not employed by College Board or NMC.
He is predicting a Commended cutoff of 211, back in-line with historical data, before the anomalies of the last two years.
The actual number will be known in April. State SF cutoffs in September.
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Figure out what their goal is and look at percentiles(if you are thinking Top schools, the goal is 98-99Th%ile). Go on college board and pull up the percentiles for Psat-10: For example, in 10th grade, 99th %ile 1360-70, so a kid who can get that very high score for 10th grade (without prep) is definitely in line to get 99th%ile on 11th gr PSAT (upper 1400s) and on the SAT ( 1510ish), likely WITH some prep, since most kids do at least some SAT prep. However, certainly kids with a lower 10th grade score can get up to 98-99th with extensive prep and several repeated tests. I personally think kids who aren’t typically/naturally in or at least close to the 98-99th%ile on most nationally standardized tests in their school years should not try to over-prep and take these tests 5-6 times to try to get in the top-school range, because I do not think it makes sense to aim for schools where the vast majority of kids will be on a different level. However, CC posters often feel differently about that. To me, each kid should try to find a school that matches their intellectual needs as well as all the other “fit” factors posters discuss, and aiming for their natural percentile range can help estimate that.
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I was under the impression that cutoffs were announced until the Sept of senior year
State cutoffs (top 1% each state)for SemiFinalist are announced next September for the Class of 2023; the Commended level cutoff, which is one national number, or roughly top 3-4% nationally , is April.
I agree with 2devils. Percentiles are somewhat sticky things with regards to testing. With prep you can move a bit, but better to understand who you are and what fits you than to chase what is not you.
Ivy League dreams die hard, but I promise they all survive.
2 devils
Got you on timing of cutoff announcements. Not sure why the lag if they have all of the data, but…
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Fwiw, semi-finalists are based on a fixed allocation of the ~16,000 slots, prorated by the number of students in the graduating class for the year, by state.
Students with an SI of 228 in the state are counted, then the number with a 227 are added, then 226, etc. until the total most closely matches the allocation.
You may see “top x%”, but that’s an estimated equivalent, not the basis for actually determining the cutoff.
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thanks, RIP. that’s helpful to know.
FWIW, we found college confidential maybe 8 years ago when we googled PSAT scores. had no idea with our first kid! With our second kid, we thought she could be a NMF; took her in august to a tutoring place to talk to them, and they thought we were crazy; said anyone who preps for NMF started months earlier! 
didnt realize that. (in 2014) wonder if kids still prep for it?
What is the role for being commended? Does it vary by state. I looked up the cutoff for NMF for our state (NJ) and was terrified. Is this similar and does it mean anything?
Commended is on a national basis. Same countdown from the highest score, until they reach ~50,000.
Yes, NJ is traditionally one of the very highest semi-finalist cutoff states.
Thank you!