<p>OK good, now I know where you’re coming from. Congratulations on his high PSAT score. </p>
<p>The kids who advance to semi-finalist are chosen strictly by that PSAT score. Each state has a cutoff on where the line is drawn between those who are commended and those who are considered semi-finalists. You’re right that you won’t hear until September but you could make a reasonable guess by last year’s cutoff for your state (it could change by 1 or 2 points each year). </p>
<p>According to this thread, last year’s cutoff for California was 218.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/696125-psat-scores-national-merit-semifinalists-2009-h-s-class-2010-a-77.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/696125-psat-scores-national-merit-semifinalists-2009-h-s-class-2010-a-77.html</a>
These cutoffs are not published by NMSC but are based on people posting on this forum in Sept. once they officially hear from NMSC. As the posts come in for each state, the cutoff is pinpointed, so to speak.</p>
<p>Hope this helps! If your child does move on to Semi-finalist, then an application process for Finalist is started in Sept./Oct. (with short notice for the application due date, only 1 or 2 weeks notice for the paperwork to be turned in). This part takes into review his activities, grades, essay, and an SAT score submission.</p>