<p>Which is the absolute best book? What other resources have you guys used and done well with? I didn't prep last year as a sophomore and still got a 200 (a good score, right?)...I'm really hoping to make it to a 230-ish, or wahtever the cutoff is for NMS</p>
<p>bummmppppp</p>
<p>The cutoff this year for national merit was 202. I used the official blue book and looked over the (small) section Sparknotes has in its SAT book.</p>
<p>I have Kaplan now, is there anything else that I might supplement that with? Has anyone on here been able to significantly increase their PSAT score from soph to jr year--I'd like to hear stories and methods for prep...</p>
<p>You don't really need a prep book. Just study the PSAT the same way you would for the SAT and you'll be okay.</p>
<p>BTW, the semifinalist cutoff for all states will be below 222, so you don't need to get over 230 to make NMS.</p>
<p>My PSAT score jumped from 206 (soph) to 238 (jun) without any prep...so meh, it can happen.</p>
<p>I agree with oasis... I never bothered with prep books for either the PSAT or the SAT. My PSAT score was 214 soph. and 234 junior, and my first SAT score was 2200. I just retook the SAT and hopefully my score will improve some.</p>
<p>And oasis, the semifinalist cutoff is different in every state. In Alabama the cutoff has been around 210-212 the past few years (although I'm guessing this year's will be higher, because my group tended to have higher scores).</p>
<p>Yeah, but what I meant was that the highest (usually MD, DC, NJ, overseas, and some others) is around 222 and the other states are even lower so if you have 222+ you're set regardless of whereever you are.</p>
<p>Ok, I see.</p>
<p>does anybody know where I can see the cutofffs for each individual state from this year?</p>
<p>Do a search for last year's state semifinal cutoffs, the new ones won't be out until September. If you're within a couple of points of last year's, you're on the bubble and need to wait and see.</p>