Yes, 1380 and 1400 scores in Alabama should get you a NMSF letter in the fall.
Did any of you guys at all recieve an email from CB with the access for the scores? I still have none and I have to wait even longer
@hopeforthebest82 I didn’t get an email until around 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon but I received my scores by signing in around 6:30 AM yesterday; hope you get your scores soon though!
Has CB announced when they will release the cutoff scores?
@CA1543, It would be helpful if people posted their percentiles in math, reading and writing sections so that calculation could be made. I know a 710 is only 98th percentile in math. What did it take to get 99th percentile? I know 720 was 99th percentile in reading/writing composite. How much lower could one go to still have 99th percentile?
When does a person have to take SAT to confirm PSAT score?
I think CB announces commended cutoff scores in the Spring and NMSF in the Fall.
Spring = April and Fall = September
@websensation Based on previous years, you would need to take the SAT between October 2104 to December 2016
@amyandscott Based on last year’s AL results, I think 1380 has a very good chance to be a NMSF this year in Alabama. 
Is anyone still waiting to access scores? Our guidance has nothing. CB’s phone system just disconnects now! I can’t even hold for an operator! Pre-existing CB account with multiple prior test scores…maybe an email transition issue. Am I expecting a personal email from CB? Will I have to wait for paper score reports? Argh!
@jerzmaster thanks! We are so hopeful but being in the 98th percentile is a concern.
My S email came this morning (Texas) even though he did not need it to access scores. @3scoutsmom I hope you got yours!
What if there are 25,000 students in all states who got SI scores over 99%? Do they all become semi finalists?
DS got email from College Board at 8:31 am EST GMT-5:00
School is in NJ
resident of PA
NMSC = 189 = 82% Natl Sample Percentile for 10th grade
total score = 1220 = 94%
670 Reading = 98%
550 Math = 82%
He didn’t respond to many of the Math questions.
He is in 10th grade, so I’m sure he’ll improve next year, but wanted to list NMSC/score for those trying to crunch the numbers
@paulcord I’m in the same situation, but if I get no code by tomorrow I’m gonna go bezerk
I thought the SI of 211 was the most important number. Do you agree?
@paulcord Even though my son got the access code, he did not need it to access his score. I could just sign in under his collegeboard and it was in the PSAT section
Hi to all kids on the forum. My daughter was a National Merit Finalist a few years ago. Just wanted to post some info that might be helpful. I am not an expert or college counselor, but this is what I’ve learned.
-If you make the ‘semi-finalist’ cutoff, you are almost ensured finalist status. Your HS guidance counselor will help you. Ask him or her what needs to be done. One thing you have to do is have taken or take the SAT and get decent scores. They want to ensure that your PSAT scores weren’t a fluke, so you don’t have to get super amazing SAT scores or anything, just good ones. You do have to take the SAT though, so all of you who took the ACT and weren’t planning on taking the SAT will have to if you want to be a ‘finalist.’
–Finalist means that if you are going to a college that accepts NMF money, you will get $2500. However, and not to get too much into details about this here, if you and your parents are getting financial aid need-based grant money (meaning you don’t have to pay it back like loans) then your grant package may very well be reduced by $2500. Which makes sense if you think about it-your ‘need’ is now $2500 less.
–Finalist means you might get selected as a National Merit Scholar and win a $2500 corporate scholarship. Look at the nationalmerit. org site to see the particulars.
Semifinalist and Finalist means that you are automatically qualified for some “free tuition” scholarships out there. Automatically. When my daughter had it, some examples of colleges that would have given her free tuition were University of Arizona Barrett Honors College, Texas A&M, University of Alabama, Fordham University. That is what people mean when they are talking about scholarships worth $100,000. You should search on College Confidential for the forum on these automatic scholarships and you can also go to the college websites and click on their scholarship information pages.
Hope this helps. Don’t forget, there are loads of competitive scholarships out there for those who have good GPAs and good ACT or SAT scores, so don’t feel too badly if you didn’t get National Merit Semifinalist status. This is just one avenue that leads to some financial help. There are many, and you can search college confidential to find them. And remember, colleges are more impressed by good GPAs and good ACT or SAT scores than PSAT scores. The top ones don’t even care too much about the NMF distinction. So don’t put too much weight on this one test.
@MOMH20 I agree with your post - reaching out to @jermaster and @EarlVanDorn about it. My son got a 35 in reading and 36 in writing for a 710 and each of his 3 his “user” percentiles is a 99%ile. (His math is a 38 = 760) & SI 218 / Total Composite 1470 - Reading is weighted more so his great math score is not showing as much in the SI.
Unless folks are willing to send their reports’ data with personal info blocked out, it will be hard to really analyze what SI number range is the 99%ile - I think States will look at the SI’s though for making cut offs & not the particular subscores in each area.