<p>My daughter will be out of the country (competing in a sporting event) on the one weekend that the PSAT is offered this fall, how much will that hurt her? She has already taken the SAT, so its not about practice for the SAT, but it does mean she can't compete for a National Merit Scholarship. Do schools use PSAT scores for anthing else? </p>
<p>No, PSAT scores aren’t really used for anything else. However, if you were really hoping that she would be able to compete for NM, then it might be worth seeing what can be worked out.</p>
<p>I assume she is in sophomore and will be junior this Fall. PSAT score is solely for NMS purpose. So the lack of PSAT score would not directly affect her chance for admission. Nevertheless, NM status would be considered in the admission of some schools and may get you merit aid at many schools. Without PSAT score, you will not get any NM status. How is her SAT score and how likely she will get above the state cutoff for NMSF? If you know it is not really likely for her to achieve that, there is nothing she is going to lose by skipping PSAT.</p>
<p>Check the PSAT website. I saw something there about your concern (missing test date + interest in NMSF or related honors).</p>
<p>If you think she has a chance of scoring high, I’d check if there is another test date she could use. Our school tests during the week, not on the weekend, so there may be something she could arrange. If she’s not going to score that high then I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s not even reported to colleges, it’s just for the scholarship, and not of any benefit for the vast majority of students, other than maybe a wakeup call that they should prep for the SAT.</p>
<p>In our area, most private schools test on Wednesday and public schools on Saturday. For a hockey tournament, affected players either took the test Wednesday at a private school, or took it out of town while at the tournament (a few missed one game). It is important to make arrangements in advance; you can’t just show up with your pencils sharpened. </p>
<p>Do her SAT scores indicate a chance for making National Merit status with the PSAT?</p>
<p>Thanks for your input! I appreciate it. When she toook PSAT as a freshman (last year), she scored two points below the cutoff, so I am optimistic that she would do better as a Junior.<br>
As for the Wednesday option, our flight arrangements have us leaving the country on Wednesday and returning Sunday and cannot be changed.</p>
<p>Leaving Wednesday morning or evening?</p>
<p>Considering how much money could be at stake it might be worth paying what it costs to change the flight. Make sure you understand what you are passing up and are ok with that.</p>
<p>Or get the priorities straight. Is it more important for her to attend a sporting event or to take PSAT? Only you know the answer. If she is an awesome athlete, that may be an easier ticket to scholarships than NM. Otherwise, it may be best to pass on the trip.</p>
<p>From National Merit’s web site:
If a Student Misses the PSAT/NMSQT® Administration</p>
<p>A student who does not take the PSAT/NMSQT because of illness, an emergency, or other extenuating circumstance, but meets all other requirements for NMSC program participation, may still be able to enter the competitions. The student or a school official must write to NMSC as soon as possible after the PSAT/NMSQT administration to request information about procedures for entry to NMSC competitions by alternate testing. The earlier NMSC receives the written request, the greater the student’s opportunities for meeting alternate entry requirements. To be considered, a request must be postmarked no later than March 1 following the PSAT/NMSQT administration that was missed. NMSC will provide alternate entry materials that require the signature of a school official. </p>
<p>I’d contact them and find out if your situation would be classified as “other extenuating circumstance”,</p>
<p>@PolarMama, our S14 had to miss the PSAT due to a competition for one of his classes/ECs. He was in a leadership position and really had to be there. (Why the host high school doesn’t reschedule their event makes me crazy - it has been on PSAT day for at least the past 4 years!) We contacted National Merit explaining the situation and they sent us a form to be signed by our S and his guidance counselor. After the form was returned, S took the SAT and had the scores sent to National Merit. They re-figure the score a little, but it ended up very close to 1/10th of the SAT score. It worked out fine. S ended up as NMF.</p>
<p>@SoWest, that is really helpful information to have. Thank you!!!
Of course, my D can’t take the October or November SAT either because those dates also conflict with competitions out-of-state. (I assume your son took the SAT in one of those months since they are closest to PSAT dates.) However, it can’t hurt to contact National Merit and see what they suggest.
I realize that SATs are important and should take precedence over athletic pursuits, but junior year is also the time when college coaches are watching more closely. There always seemed to be enough time to take the tests in the spring of senior year, but know I feel like we are running low on options. Perhaps its time to look more closely at the ACT:)</p>
<p>You are welcome, @PolarMama! I think he took it as soon as he could, (it’s pretty much a blur by now) but I believe there is some wiggle room as to dates that you can make it up. Students have other things going on in their lives. It’s good that National Merit realizes and accommodates that. Good luck to your D. Our S did not end up taking one of the scholarships that he could have as a result of NMF, but he seriously considered a couple of them and it is very nice to have multiple options.</p>