<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I got my PSAT scores back a couple weeks ago and was somewhat dissappointed - I received a 180 and scored in the 84 percentile. I do not remember what the individual scores for Math, Critical Reading, and Writing were. However, I wanted to know what my chances of getting some sort of recognition from National Achievement are (i.e. commended, outstanding participant, etc.) Also, I live in South Carolina if that is any help :) Thanks!</p>
<p>Not good. I believe you have to score above a 200 for any type of achievement awards (National Merit).</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! However, I think you are talking about National Merit, which is much more difficult to earn recognition from than National Achievement (which is for African American students). I believe the cutoff for National Merit is around the 98 percentile. Earlier, I think someone told me that the cutoff for some sort of recognition (i.e. National Achievement Outstanding Participant Award, commendation, etc.) from National Achievement was between 170-180, but I am not sure. Thanks for the quick reply, though!</p>
<p>Check out the archives of CC because you can find scores of people who got National Achievement. From what I remember, the cutoff normally is around 190-195. I think National Achievement Commended cutoff is around 180.</p>
<p>Sons got National Achievement with scores of 206.</p>
<p>If you study for the SAT, you can get even higher SAT scores than your PSAT predicted. Sons got 1410 (V&M for S who took the SAT before the new version of the SAT) and a 1540 (V+M for S who took the new SAT). Both studied hard for the SAT. Studying does make a big difference.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the NJ cutoff for Semifinalist this year? I got a 220 and 99th percentile, but the cutoff last year was 222, so I'm afraid I may have barely missed it...</p>