<p>I just got my results back and here they are broken down simply:</p>
<p>Critical Reading: 72
Mathematics: 73
Writing Skills: 70</p>
<p>Which totals to a 215. Is that a good score for a sophomore? I'm aiming for a National Merit next year and I'm not sure if I should be getting higher scores/if it's hard to raise up.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Yes, they are very good results for a sophomore. </p>
<p>Here is a link that may explain some things for you: <a href=“http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html”>http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html</a> </p>
<p>As a sophomore, you are in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Competition. The cut-offs for National Merit Semifinalist status for the 2016 NM Scholarship Competition (i.e., this year’s juniors who took the test) have not yet been determined, but the cut-off scores for each state for the 2015 and earlier tests can be found on that link.</p>
<p>That is a very good score. That’s 4 points higher than I got as a junior, and I’m a NMSF, but you making it next year depends on your score and your state cutoff. Look at the pages @gandalf78 suggested and find the general range for your state’s cutoff score. 215 would make it in a some states, but not all. Use SAT study materials to study as well as any practice PSATs you can dig up. With a 215 score, you are definitely in the ballpark. Here’s hoping you make NMSF and get a great scholarship to somewhere! </p>
<p>You did great! Just keeping working hard and you should be a NMSF in any state. In fact, your score is already high enough in a lot of states!</p>