Can someone explain this PSAT score? confused parent

[gm]

Hi all,

Today my son came home with his psat score. The explanation part on the paper was confusing but here is the score:

179 (in one box)
87%(in box box underneath the first box)

Is that a good score? and does he sound like me made any kind of national merit recognition?

I will be calling the school counselor this week but I wanted to get first hand from parents whose kids have taken this test as to what this score means.

thanks

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well it depends on your state. Here in Texas, I think you had to hit 209 to be considered a finalist. 179 is pretty low but not bad for the PSAT.
It may vary based on your area, however.

I think NYC/ New Jersey is 219.

 

[gm]

Yes, It is in Texas.

Well it depends on your state. Here in Texas, I think you had to hit 209 to be considered a finalist. 179 is pretty low but not bad for the PSAT.
It may vary based on your area, however.

I think NYC/ New Jersey is 219.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Hi all,

Today my son came home with his psat score. The explanation part on the paper was confusing but here is the score:

179 (in one box)
87%(in box box underneath the first box)

Is that a good score? and does he sound like me made any kind of national merit recognition?

I will be calling the school counselor this week but I wanted to get first hand from parents whose kids have taken this test as to what this score means.

thanks

The 179 is score and the 87% means he was in the 87th percentile nationally. One must be in the 99th percentile of the state to qualify for National Semi Finalist and 95th percentile of the state to qualify for Commended. Traditionally this has meant at least a 210 for semi-finalist and a 205 for commended, but varies by state. (This is based on my experience 4 years ago and my cousin's experience last year)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, It is in Texas.

My dd took the test as well. However she won't make it either.

We are hoping that she can raise her score next time with the SAT.

Your son will not make any National Merit with that number. 209 was the cutoff at dd's school.

The National Merit cutoff is 217 for Texas to be in the running for a winner.

 

[Darcy03231]

This is from the College Board website:

Information on the Score Report

PSAT/NMSQT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80. In 2006, the average score for eleventh graders was about 48 in Critical Reading, 49 in Mathematics, and 46 in Writing Skills. The average score for tenth graders was about 43 in Critical Reading, 44 in Mathematics, and 41 in Writing Skills.

Also listed on your score report is the Selection Index, which is used to determine eligibility in National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs (NMSC). It is the sum of the three scores in each test section (CR + M + W). The Selection Index ranges from 60 to 240. The average Selection Index for students in eleventh grade is about 147. Note: Only students in eleventh grade are eligible to enter NMSC scholarship programs.

Finally, score reports include national percentiles, which allow you to compare your scores with other students in your grade level who have taken the PSAT/NMSQT. If you take the PSAT/NMSQT in the eleventh grade, you receive junior percentiles. If you take the PSAT/NMSQT in tenth grade or younger, you will receive sophomore percentiles. For example, a student in eleventh grade with a percentile of 55 has earned a score better than 55 percent of all eleventh graders. Another way to understand percentiles is to imagine 100 students lined up from the lowest (or 1st) percentile at the end of the line to the highest (or 99th) percentile at the front of the line. If you are at the 55th percentile, you would be the 56th person in line, ahead of 55 people in the line and behind 44. Go to Score Report Plus for more information about your score report.