<p>Do you have to get a higher score to become a Semi finalist instead of a commended student? what is the difference between them? What are the cutoffs for both?</p>
<p>Yes you have to get a higher score to become a semifinalist instead of a commended student. A commended student means you got an outstanding score compared to the average student but will not continue in the scholarship search. The cutoff for commened is like 202 for the whole nation. But the cutoff for semifinalist varies by state, such as Calfiornia's cutoff is maybe like high 220s and Montana's is like low 200s. Also check out a PSAT pamphlet, which you can get from your school, more info about NMS.</p>
<p>Thanks...anything else I should know? Any really good PSAT books to buy? Kaplan?</p>
<p>Actually, a few crappy (educationally speaking) states don't have any commended students because the state semifinalist cutoff is below the national commended cutoff.</p>
<p>In other words, some people with PSAT scores below 202 are still semifinalists because their states suck. Then again, those people probably wouldn't be finalists.</p>
<p>On the contrary, those 202ers do become finalists.</p>
<p>Also, CA usually around 216 and no state has a cutoff in the high 220s</p>
<p>CA this year I think is 218...?</p>
<p>NJ has 222. It's tied with two other states (one is either CT or MA I believe) for the highest in the nation. :)</p>
<p>CA this year is 217</p>