<p>This is the information which I got from student_guide.pdf of NMSQT:
Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit® Scholarship Program. In April following the fall test administration, high-scoring participants from every state are invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC.
In April of the junior year, a total of 50,000 high scorers from the
PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index (math, critical reading and writing)
will be contacted to determine qualification for program recognition.
Qualification means the following: a full-time high school student, a junior
in high school, and a citizen of the United States. Student who do not meet
these qualifications will have an asterisk by their score. </p>
<p>Question: My son is a full-time high school student, a junior in high school, and a citizen of the United States (State:Maryland) with 170 PSAT in 2009, and did not have an asterisk by his score. Will he be invited to name two colleges or universities to which he would like to be referred by NMSC? I already knew he will not go further on NMSC . I am confused, I knew that 170 is low, but he did not have an asterisk. Educate me. Please. thanks.</p>
<p>I believe you are absolutely correct, 170 is too low.
But I saw 2 kids: same as full-time high school student, a junior in high school, and a citizen of the United States . One has 160 and the asterisk after 160 score and one has 170 and NO the asterisk after 170 score .
I confused that what is the asterisk mean ?</p>
<p>On the score report, it says just below the score that an asterisk means that the student is not qualified for recognition. If there isn’t an asterisk it can only mean that they are qualified.</p>
<p>I thought only the kids who have a high enough score to qualify, but do not qualify for other reasons (like the sophomores who take PSAT and get a high score) get to have the asterisk ;). But I could be wrong.
170 is definitely too low (I am pretty sure that 200 is a cutoff for “commended”)</p>
<p>Well I’m not sure. I’m a decent-scoring sophomore (192) but I have an asterisk, not because of the score, but because I’m not a junior. The question is: Does everybody who qualifies on the bases other than score not have an asterisk? If so, then it doesn’t make sense.</p>
<p>The way I perceive it is, if you have an asterisk, you don’t qualify. If you don’t, then you do qualify. But it doesn’t seem to work that way… which is odd.</p>
<p>Right. My S had an asterisk sophomore year (not qualified because a sophomore) and no asterisk junior year. His scores were below the cutoff for any awards both years. I believe no asterisk means they would be eligible for national merit IF THE SCORE IS HIGH ENOUGH, based on being a junior and citizen.</p>
<p>I think nngmm and mamabear1234 are correct.
So if you are full-time high school student, a junior in high school, and a citizen of the United States , you will not have the asterisk regardless to your score.
I saw a kid full-time high school student, a sophomore in high school, and a citizen of the United States, PSAT 205, got the asterisk. That is it.
But I saw a kid as full-time high school student, a junior in high school, and a citizen of the United States and 160 , he got the asterisk.
I am so confused. Maybe it is PSAT mistake .
Thank you all.</p>
<p>The asterisk just means you fail to meet the qualifications , EXCLUDING SCORE, for recognition. For example, I’m qualified to run for President of the US, but that doesn’t mean I am likely to or have been nominated…</p>
<p>Your status is based on what you answered when you took the PSAT, so if a kid messed up they could have the wrong status.</p>
<p>This from the MNSC site:
Student Entry Requirements</p>
<p>To participate in the National Merit® Scholarship Program, a student must:</p>
<ol>
<li>take the PSAT/NMSQT® in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern;</li>
<li>be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to enroll full time in college no later than the fall following completion of high school; and</li>
<li><p>be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.</p>
<p>Not now a U.S. citizen? Click here for documentation required from scholarship candidates who have not yet become U.S. citizens. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.) </p></li>
</ol>
<p>The student’s responses to items on the PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet that are specific to NMSC program entry determine whether the individual meets requirements to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Click here to see NMSC program entry items on the PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet. Score reports provided for test takers and their schools indicate whether the student meets program entry requirements. A school official or the student should report immediately to NMSC any error or change in reported information that may affect participation.</p>