sending SAT scores before being named a semifinalist?

<p>Does anyone know for sure if the NM folks will hold onto a SAT score for someone who isn't yet a semifinalist, so you don't have to send it later if the kid is actually named a semifinalist. I was thinking that anyone who has a PSAT score that may be in NM range should use one of your free reports to send the score to National Merit if they have a SAT sitting coming up. I haven't tried this but would assume they can hold scores so you don't have to spend $$ to send a score later. (And if the score isn't high enough, I don't think that would hurt them, they'd just have to send a better score later.)</p>

<p>See #5 in the FAQ</p>

<p>I don’t think the FAQ answers my question:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>My question isn’t about which scores can be used, but when the student can send them. My S is a junior. He just got a score that will probably qualify him as a semifinalist, but of course he won’t be informed until next September. </p>

<p>He’s taking the SAT in January. It will probably be his only sitting. I want to use one of his free score reports to send his score to NMSC since we’ll probably need to send it to them eventually and I’d rather send it for free than spend money to send it later after they notify him that he’s a semifinalist, if indeed he is. So… the question is if someone who isn’t a semifinalist sends in a score, will they just save it until they need it like colleges will do, or will they just discard it?</p>

<p>Yes, S did this two years ago with scores from junior year Jan. SAT (which was his only SAT.) He knew his PSAT scores were in range since he got them back in Dec.
He was well prepared for SAT, and not applying to many colleges, so no reason not to use the free score report.
Do call the NMS Corp. office after a few months to make sure scores have been received.
I have another S planning to do the same this year.</p>

<p>Thanks atomom. I had assumed it would work, but then worried that maybe it wouldn’t. It seems to be a “no downside” kind of thing to use one of the free score reports on NMSC if you don’t have other plans for them.</p>

<p>Thank you, I did mean #4 in the FAQ and not #5. Perhaps the wording of that item needs to be expanded, because I think the intent is that you can take the test during that period and send the scores during that period.</p>

<p>My d also sent her scores (from her one and only sitting) using one of the freebie sends before receiving official notice of SF status. It was fine.</p>

<p>Thanks mommafrog. BW, do you think a student could send scores sophomore year even before they ever took the PSAT?</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I would say yes… As long as the student’s college board online account lists both the SAT scores in the SAT section AND the PSAT results in the “My College Quick Start” section while logged in. That will assure you that College Board has the both types of test scores linked to the same person :)</p>

<p>Go ahead and send any Soph/Junior scores if you have a free report and won’t be using it for another school. Scores for seniors must by by Dec of senior year. </p>

<p>When in doubt for anything unusual, call NMCorp and ask them. They are super helpful. However, they tend to get a LOT of phone calls around Sept/Oct so that’s not a good time to call.</p>