<p>So...I got a 222 on my PSAT and a 1940 on my SAT. It was just a bad day that day, but do you think it's good enough? I don't know if I should register to take the November one or not. I would rather not if I don't have to, but if this score means I won't be a finalist, then I definitely would want to retake it. Thanks. :)</p>
<p>I would retake it. Most prestigious colleges want higher than a 1940 SAT score anyways.</p>
<p>You should definitely retake it.</p>
<p>Definitely retake it…and do some practice tests first. While NM Corp doesn’t state a required score is needed for SAT, I would imagine that they want to see something above a 2000 to demonstrate that your PSAT score wasn’t some kind of fluke.</p>
<p>What area are you “low” in? </p>
<p>Usually it is easy to bring up Writing score with practice…</p>
<p>For math…look thru practice SAT tests for math questions that are “set up” or worded in a fashion that is unusual for you. The more familiar you are with different types of math questions, the less time you’ll spend trying to figure out what a question is asking you to do.</p>
<p>Jumping into this thread, DD is a National Merit Semi-Finalist in Texas. She had a 218 on the PSAT a 3.94 unweighted GPA and has taken 4 AP classes and is in 3 more. The concern is her SAT scores. Last year was a 1950 (740/600/610) and October this year 1980 (720/610/650). Math is her weakest area. She is going to take the test again and do some work on the math area but how much on the edge is she from not making finalist?</p>
<p>Opinions please?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>To be on the safe side, I think a NMSF should get a 2000+.</p>
<p>mbate…since your D’s weak area is math, this is what I’d have her do. Buy collegeboard’s SAT book (sold online or bookstore). Have her go thru the math sections specifically looking for questions/problems that are “set up” in a way that are unfamiliar to her. Many kids have to spend too much time during the SAT math sections simply trying to figure out what is being asked. </p>
<p>If your D familarizes herself with all the various ways that SAT presents Math problems, she’ll likely improve her score. She must also be aware that SAT math “tricks” kids by putting forth choices that are “true” if the student hasn’t completely answered the question and/or done all the steps.</p>
<p>That said, the writing section is often the easiest place for an English native speaker to improve their score. Have your D read thru the front part of the SAT book that gives helpful advice about doing the Writing sections. Make sure she is aware of idioms - kids miss points all the time because of idioms.</p>
<p>Thanks for the sugestion. We will give it a try.</p>
<p>I’ve always heard 2000. Not sure where I heard it - probably here on CC.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I think 2000 is the “magic number” because it reflects the minimum that a NMSF might have gotten on the PSAT (200) for certain states.</p>
<p>i don’t have time to look for it, but if you look at the long long thread about PSAT cutoffs for NMSF this year, there is are several posts that address this issue with more concrete information.</p>