PSAT National Merit Semifinalist - necessary?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>I'm extremely nervous to take the PSAT's this year - if you aren't a national merit semifinalist, are your chances at getting into Harvard basically gone? I guess you all who have been admitted would know best.</p>

<p>Also, what are the chances that your score can jump 20 points in one year?</p>

<p>And FINALLY, I do well on the practice tests, but I am afraid that my score will drop on the real test date because of nerves or something. Any advice??</p>

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<p>Not at all. Being a NMSF or not being one makes almost zero difference.</p>

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<p>Pretty good if you’ve prepared well.</p>

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<p>First, make sure that you’re using official PSAT’s written by the College Board. Also, a good way to reduce nerves is to set up a couple mock dates where you psych yourself up and then take the test in one sitting as you would for the real thing.</p>

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<p>Thank you SO much for being so helpful and so quick. That really helped calm my nerves and made me feel a lot better. I wish you the BEST of luck this year in college :)</p>

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<p>Oh, I’m actually a high school senior, so one year more for me still. Thanks anyways, though.</p>

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<p>You do not have to be a NMSF to get into Harvard, and at the very best, it would only marginally bolster your chances, and even then only in a mostly inconsequential manner.</p>

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<p>Very good; both the natural progression of your knowledge and familiarity with the exam, as well as test preparation, can help your score jump significantly higher than 20 points (unless you’re trying to go from a 220 to a 240, that is…).</p>

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<p>Fear will only ruin your performance. Just relax the night before, make sure you have all your materials prepared, and then go for it - remember, bombing the PSAT does not adumbrate your college decisions in the spring (or early winter, if you’re doing EA). And as for advice, I recommend that you sharpen your pencils, bring a bottle of water, and have working batteries in your calculator. Don’t forget to use the bathroom before the exam, either.</p>

<p>Good luck. :)</p>

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<p>Lol, colleges don’t care about the psat, dude. don’t worry. I didn’t study at all and got 234. I don’t really care becuase I know collegs don’t care. Yea, that will probably get me some scholarship crap, but WTV</p>