<p>Nope, letters mean squat. I got 205 on my PSATs junior year, around the same score I got sophomore year. Nope, not even semifinalist in my state. Not close. I think semifinalist score is about 220. Got a bunch of mail from selective schools I wouldn’t have a chance at, peers going through similiar things. I even got two applications from MIT and one from Harvard in the mail. The truth? It was really, really hard for me to break into the 700s on math. I seriously doubt MIT wants me. What these selective colleges want is to boost their selectivity even more by rejecting a bunch of people. LOL!</p>
<p>But all that said and done, GREAT score for a sophomore, still. With a little studying, and I wish I had studied more for the PSATs, he could easily score high enough to get finalist status. And there are really hefty scholarships at some awesome insitutions for finalists (1/2 tuition at USC, for example!). I think it is a very study-able test, and the kid is obviously smart. Put in some extra effort and he’ll do even better on the SATs. Although I got only 205 on the PSATs, I ended up with 2300 on the SAT w/ some studying.</p>
<p>Good luck to your brother!</p>