<p>I just got my PSAT score and it was pretty good...it qualifies for the NMS semifinalist at least. My question is this: why is PSAT such a big deal? First of all, why does anybody take it? If you don't think you will score in the top 1%, you have no reason to take it. The $18 that ppl pay for this "practice" SAT could be better spent on a 10 RS book where they could get 10 tests that are all more like an SAT than the PSAT. Now here's my real question: in my state, a 212 or so is enough to get into semifinalist, and most of those become finalists. A 212 is just above a 1400. At my local university, you get $12,500 per year if you are a NMS finalist. Surely people that get 1400s don't get this sort of ungodly amount of money. And also, if someone said "I got a 1400!" ppl would be like uh ok. But if they say "I am a NMS finalist" everyone is like WHOAAA!! So is there something I am missing here? Thanks.</p>
<p>The $18 is well worth it for the ScoreReport and even just the atmosphere in which you get to take the test - you know that it matters, there is a proctor, other students are taking the test in the same room, etc. The things you mentioned make the $18 even more worth it - the scholarship, the recognition from summer programs. </p>
<p>It is more impressive to get the good score on the PSAT (as opposed to the SAT itself) because you can only take the PSAT once as a junior (no combined scores) and the curves are very harsh. </p>
<p>Also, while the PSAT is official and can be reported to summer programs and what not, if you happen to do badly, your score is not required on your transcript to college (correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure about this), so if you do horribly, you don't lose.</p>
<p>wow 212 in ur state is semifinalist? where do you live?</p>
<p>Arizona... lol</p>
<p>man, texas is 221!</p>
<p>haha arizona, o well gj on ur score, and yes psats are important because they show how motivated the students are, and it can also weed out the highly intelligent students as well</p>