<p>Anyone have any idea-- does it vary from state to state?</p>
<p>I’m not sure when they’re announced, but the scores vary very little year-to-year (if at all).</p>
<p>It varies from state to state. The northeast to mid-atlantic are generally around 221 and some of the less populated states are close to 200. Bad news for you if you are in New Jersey; its students have to score near the top in the country year after year. There is a thread on here that lists this year’s scores.</p>
<p>Qualifying scores for NMSF are not announced, which is why every year – in the fall, when students are informed as to whether they are NMSFs – there is a thread here which pulls data together from participants to figure out what the qualifying scores are. As has been said, the scores are by state, and there is little movement from one year to another, one or two points usually.</p>
<p>In the late spring/early summer, letters will go out to the best scorers letting them know they are commended. Only some commended students advance further to NMSF status.</p>
<p>See this thread for this year’s building of the master list of PSAT scores for NMSF status:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/696125-psat-scores-national-merit-semifinalists-2009-h-s-class-2010-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/696125-psat-scores-national-merit-semifinalists-2009-h-s-class-2010-a.html</a></p>
<p>it does vary state to state, and unfortunately NJ has one of the highest NMSF cutoffs in the country. it’s usually around 220 or 221 for NJ- see above link.</p>
<p>it sucks for ppl in MD too</p>