Dear Roadie,
My son’s PSAT scores are out and we were hoping he would qualify as a National Merit Scholar, but his score fell just shy of that. I’m concerned that this will impact his college admissions. He’s a great student overall, but I worry he may not be good enough for some of the top-tier schools and the scholarships we are counting on to help pay for college.
— More Worried About the PSAT Than I Expected
Dear More Worried About the PSAT Than I Expected,
It sounds like your son is a strong student, which is fantastic! First, let’s put the PSAT in perspective and break down what these scores really mean for college admissions and scholarships.
The official name of this test, PSAT/NMSQT, stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, and it’s the primary way that students qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to high-scoring students. Only the PSAT taken during a student’s junior year counts toward National Merit eligibility. Sophomore or earlier scores don’t impact National Merit qualification.
To qualify as a National Merit Semifinalist, students need to score at or above the cutoff for their state, which varies from year to year. Generally, the cutoff score falls between 1400 and 1480, depending on how competitive scores are in each state. Students with scores above the state’s cutoff are named Semifinalists. Once that happens, they can apply to become Finalists by submitting additional information, including SAT or ACT scores that confirm their PSAT performance. Finalists are then eligible for scholarships through National Merit, colleges, and corporate sponsors.
In short, the PSAT is the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, making it important for students aiming for those awards. But for most students, it primarily serves as SAT practice and doesn’t directly impact college admissions.
It’s understandable to feel a bit concerned if your son’s PSAT score wasn’t quite what you’d hoped, especially if you had your eye on National Merit Scholar status. However, remember that the PSAT is primarily a practice run for the SAT. It’s a great opportunity to identify areas where he might need a little extra practice, but a less-than-perfect PSAT score doesn’t mean he won’t excel on the SAT. Most students see a big improvement between their PSAT and SAT scores with focused prep. So, don’t let this one test shake your confidence!
Your son may still do well on the SAT — well enough to earn many other types of scholarships.
What’s a Good PSAT Score?
The PSAT is scored between 320 and 1520, and what’s considered “good” depends a bit on grade level. For high school sophomores, scores in the 950-1050 range are typically strong. If he’s around or above this level as a sophomore, he’s on track. Since the PSAT for juniors is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), a higher score—around 1150-1250—is considered strong. For National Merit consideration, he’d need to be in the top 1-3% of test-takers in his state, which varies a bit each year.
Is the PSAT More Important Than the SAT?
The SAT is the test colleges care about most, while the PSAT’s main significance is its role in National Merit Scholarships. If your son didn’t qualify for National Merit, it doesn’t impact his college applications at all. Admissions committees won’t see his PSAT scores, so it’s the SAT (or ACT if he chooses that route) that ultimately matters. Many students who don’t make National Merit still go on to get fantastic SAT scores and earn other scholarships, so he has plenty of options to achieve his college goals.
If he’s aiming for a high SAT score, consider creating a study plan based on his PSAT results. Focus on any specific areas where his score was lower, and he may benefit from practice tests, tutoring, or even a prep course if he prefers structured guidance.
In short, while missing National Merit may feel disappointing, it’s not the only path to success. Keep encouraging him to stay focused and keep up his hard work—he’s already on the right track!
Have a perplexing college question? Email Dear Roadie for advice at dearroadie@road2college.com
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