Qualified for NM Semifinialist, not sure when to take SAT to advance to finalist???

Test Preparation
1

I recently qualified for NM Finalist with a PSAT score of 225/228. I haven’t taken the SAT yet, and will have to do so if I want a chance at finalist. On the NM account, it says you can take it in Oct., Nov., or Dec., but the first two are preferred. The thing is, I also have to take 2 SAT subject tests, and the latest time I can do and still get it in in time for college apps is November.

What do you guys think I should do?

  1. Sign up for October SAT (late deadline is Sep. 20th) and SAT subject tests in November.
  2. Take a chance and sign up for December SAT and November SAT subjects.

These are basically my only options…I want to save the SAT subjects for November because that will give me more time to study, whereas I’m not really planning to study for the SAT; I need it solely for NM purposes.

This also brings up a couple more questions:

  1. I am not going to have time to study for the SAT at all. I will just be walking in and taking it. How badly will it go, considering my PSAT score and ACT score (35)?
  2. If I mess up the SAT badly, do I have to submit to colleges? The last thing I would want is for my SAT, taken just for National Merit, to affect my college chances badly.
  3. Do I have to take SAT with writing for National Merit purposes, or is just SAT math/reading enough?

Thanks for the responses. I’m really confused and stressed out D:

2

just take the SAT in Dec and the subject tests in plenty of time for them to be submitted with your college applications. Submit your ACT scores for your college applications- a 35 is fantastic.
Be SURE you fill out all the National Merit paperwork/ essay as soon as you get it from your HS counselor and get him GC to submit them , and his LOR to NM asap
. Dont let him forget to do so!

NMF’s status is not decided until late Spring.

here is a link to the NM site-
click on the "for students link at the bottom left of the page-
all your questions can be answered there

as far as your SAT score- as long as it is relatively “in the range” of your PSAT score, [ ie, you dont score 1800/2400] and you fill out and submit ll the paperwork, you should advance to NM Finalist

http://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/start.aspx?gid=2&pgid=61

3

@menloparkmom Thanks!! Talked to my counselor and will be taking SAT in Dec :slight_smile:

4

Not sure if this was answered already but you do NOT have to sit the essay portion of the SAT. NMSC doesn’t consider the essay at all in their calculations of confirming score.

With an SI of 225 and an ACT of 35 you can probably sit the SAT w/o prepping. You would only have to send to any colleges requiring all your scores. Any EA or ED (Nov. 1) deadline would require scores well before December anyway and unless they require you send subsequent scores to them you are probably going to be ok.

Good luck!

5

Quick note re: NMF status notification - it will be in Feb. Late spring would be scholarship notification.

6

If you are going in without prep anyway I would take SAT in October. Just in case it goes badly, you can then again take it in December one more time.

You can do a few SAT practice tests on Collegeboard site but looking at your ACT and PSAT scores, you should do fine.

The new SAT should be very similar to the new PSAT you took last fall.

7

mommdc- the deadline for signing up to take the SAT in Oct has past.

8

I thought they mentioned a late registration?

9

" Sign up for October SAT (late deadline is Sep. 20th) "
this was in the OP’s first post

10

^Oh sorry, I now realized the post was from 9/17, and even late registration deadline has passed.

11

@braxonj what

@JBStillFlying Yeah, my counselor told me I wouldn’t have to take writing, thanks :slight_smile:

@mommdc I talked to my counselor and just decided on December. One shot - hopefully I can do decently.

12

@wormholes I am sure you will be fine!

13

@mommdc Thank you!