Help with testing strategy for National merit finalist

1203southview
Fri, 27 Jun 2014 19:52:35 +0000

I need help with understanding what is involved and strategy for being designated a National Merit finalist for my son. I also need help with timing of when to take the tests and what tests he should take.

He is a rising senior and has a 3.89 GPA weighted, 3.6 unweighted. He is interested in the most selective schools.
He got a 233 on the PSAT as a junior, in California with no prep at all. The highest threshold for our state has been 223 so he seems safely above that. He took the SAT with zero studying or prep during busy school work load and got a 2130. Is this SAT score enough to validate him as a NMF or should he retake it?

He got a perfect ACT score with minimal studying. He will take the SAT subject tests in the fall on the October 11 test date.

The plan is to submit the ACT score and the SAT subject test scores only. Does this seem like a good strategy? Should he retake the SAT in order to qualify as NMF or is 2130 good enough?