<p>Sophomore in NY got my score back for the PSAT and got a 197. I'm hoping for the scholarship next year so should I be happy or concerned with a 197? When should I start studying for next year? How much do scores usually go up sophomore to junior year?</p>
<p>The cutoff for this year’s graduating HS seniors for National Merit Semifinalist in New York state is 215 (unless you go to a boarding school, then the number is different). That was down 4 points from the year before (219). The scores fluctuate some from year to year. So to be safe in NY, I guess I would shoot for a 221 or better.</p>
<p>I think almost everyone improves their scores from soph to junior year. You just learn more of the stuff you need to know. 
My D’s score went up about 20 points between the two years, but she DID study because she was close to the cutoff sophomore year for our state; even though she couldn’t be a NMSF that year because she was not a junior, she recognized that she would feel pretty annoyed with herself if she somehow missed it junior year. So she studied.</p>
<p>I would say she started during the summer, maybe early August. She spent a couple of hours every Sunday afternoon with the “blue book” from SAT and the Gruber math book. Both reviewing strategy and subject sections, and taking practice tests and reviewing what she missed. Same materials she used to study for the actual SAT, and it worked well for her.</p>
<p>Intparent Thank you so much sounds like a great plan</p>