Hi all,
So I took the Dec 5th SAT and got a 1510/1600 (780R, 730M). I started my college search shortly thereafter (I’m a junior) and it quickly became apparent to me that if I want to increase my chances of being able to afford college, I should try to become a National Merit Finalist. I’ve been studying for the Jan 26th PSAT in order to qualify, but I live in a place where it snows basically all of January, so there’s a good chance that my school might cancel the test date. So my question is this: does anyone know what my selection index score (48-228) would be based off of my December SAT? I missed one question each from Reading & Writing and Language and then I missed 5 questions from math. As far as I can tell, my state’s cutoff score usually hovers around 220 so I was wondering if it was even worth filling out the alternate entry form for my SAT or if my 1510 is too low.
Thanks so much!
Your SI is the sum of your 3 test scores (Reading, Writing and Language, and Math) multiplied by 2. It should be 224, based on your scores.
However, if your school offers a January PSAT/NMSQT, the NMSC may not accept the SAT in lieu of the PSAT. Since you got a 1510 on your SAT, AND the SAT is a bit more difficult than the PSAT, AND you are more prepared for the PSAT than you were for the SAT, you likely do not have to worry.
If your school cancels the January test, you’re good. If it doesn’t, you’ll likely need to take the PSAT in order to qualify for National Merit.
So. plan to take it, in the knowledge that you will likely do very well on it, and there is a very good chance that you will be a semifinalist. If you do get higher than your state’s cutoff, your SAT will provide your confirming score, and you will also be halfway to Finalist.
Check out Art Sawyer’s article “The PSAT and National Merit for the Class of 2022” at Compass (compassprep dot com).
Good luck whatever happens!
Our school only allows one shot of PSAT during junior year. I know 2 students who have ACT 35 did not make into semifinalist.
That would yield 229, not 224. But the scores are capped at 760 per section for NMS qualifying purposes. So SI = 2*76 + 73 = 225.
225 will certainly qualify in any state.
You’re right, of course. I doubled the Math/10, not the EBRW/10, because excuses.
Thank you all so much! It’s nice to know that I have a solid backup plan in case the weather decides to be difficult.