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i'm not really sure what category this goes in, but since its based on PSAT's i'll try here.

What do you think the selection index cut off for NMS semi-finalists will be? Is it different for different states? if so what do you think about for PA? thanks

By Phantom (Phantom) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 05:00 pm: Edit

It's different for every state. They can range from the low 200's to the low 220's. If you have above a 223, you should be safe no matter what state you live in. Specifically for PA, I don't know but I can guess it's anywhere from 215 to 220. There have been posts like this before so you can do a search. You can also call the Nat'l Merit organization for last year's cutoff.

By Adidasty (Adidasty) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 05:06 pm: Edit

I'm in California. Would a 225 be good enough?

By Optimizerdad (Optimizerdad) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 05:16 pm: Edit

(This is from a post by Medusa2003 back in early 2003)
"Attached is information on recent cut-off scores for achieving National Merit Semifinalist status. They may vary by year but this will give you an idea of the scores required. If you have a competent high school counselor you might obtain additional information from him or her.

Copied from Princeton Review College Discussion Board: Posted by Hannah Bowen, co-author, 1999 edition on September 17, 1998 at 22:31:56:

AL...211 AK...214 AZ...212 AR...202 CA...215

CO...210 CT...219 DE...216 DC...222 FL...213

GA...211 HI...215 ID...203 IL...213 IN...210

IA...209 KS...212 KY...207 LA...207 ME...214

MD...220 MA...222 MI...209 MN...214 MS...201

MO...211 MT...206 NE...208 NV...203 NH...213

NJ...220 NM...207 NY...217 NC...212 ND...205

OH...211 OK...207 OR...211 PA...214 RI...213

SC...208 SD...204 TN...212 TX...214 UT...203

VT...212 VA...218 WA...212 WV...203 WI...210

WY...204 U.S TERRITORIES& COMMONWEALTHS...201

OUTSIDE THE U.S. ...222

These are the selection index qalifying scores for the 1999 Merit Program, the PSAT/NM "

By Marymary (Marymary) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 05:58 pm: Edit

thanks for the info, i hope my 222 is good enough. i was in the 99th percentiles for verbal and writing and 97th for math, but i don't know if that means anything.

By Over30 (Over30) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 08:39 pm: Edit

Be aware the scores may change from year to year, as the cut-off is based on scores from each year's test.

By Nutriamorada (Nutriamorada) on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 11:01 pm: Edit

I wish Arizona was enough of a hick state for my 201 to get somewhere

By Geniusash (Geniusash) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 02:21 am: Edit

everyone is that high in percentiles when it comes to this competition. BTW although scores CAN change thay most likely won't change by more than one or to points, if they change at all.

By Jrpar (Jrpar) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 07:19 am: Edit

The minimum score to be commended went from 200 to 201 this year, so the cutoff for semi-finalist might be a point or two higher as well. Just a guess.

By Angelnikki1 (Angelnikki1) on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 12:21 pm: Edit

NO! I had a 200!! How do you know the commended score changed? Are you sure???? That makes me so sad!!!

By Vtran31 (Vtran31) on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 02:52 pm: Edit

but the test is totally changing, so how can anyone have any idea?