Why is there the National Merit Finalist and the National Achivement?

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<p>Hi, I'm not trying to be rude but can someone please help me explain the concept of why there is a NMF (whites and blacks) and NAF (only blacks)? </p>

<p>It seems like africian americans are getting a huge advantage here. I don't see why They don't just lower the NMF (well NMSF in this case) PSAT score to make it in the 98%th percentile instead of the 99th. This would allow students who actually work the hardest and preformed the best the oppourtunity.</p>

<p>I know whites make up the majority of the US...but why make two different cutoff scores? It's not like whites automaticly perform better on tests.</p>

<p>There are 2 NMSF at out school (including me) and 1 NASF who scored significantly lower than the cutoff for NMSF. I just think this is a little unfair.</p>

<p>Also, where can I look at the cut off scores for 2012 for NASF?</p>

<p>Not trying to be rude; just trying to understand this.</p>

<p>Thanks so much :)</p>

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<p>To quote:
“Blacks have been historically disadvantaged in education and to a certain extent still are. They are more likely to attend low-performing schools and have difficult household circumstances (judged by average income, etc.) Therefore, it is difficult for them to compete with the “wealthy whites” and “tiger-parented Asians.” Thus, the NASF was born.”</p>

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<p>Thanks, and does anyone know what the cut offs are for 2012 NASF?</p>

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<p>I think it’d be overall better if it was a scholarship-thing based on socio-economic status rather than race.</p>