PSAT 101

没想到很多人对此不很清楚，简略介绍如下：

What is PSAT?
Preliminary SAT. The test has three sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing, each section scores: 20-80, The sum of the three scores is called 'Selection Index' and the max. value: 3*80 = 240.

Who takes PSAT?
About 1.5 million high schooler take PSAT during October each year. Only Juniors' scores will be considered for award.

How to determine award?
Based on 'Selection Index' result in selection unit (50 states, three other geographic units, and a number of boarding school regions).

To be Semifinalist: 'Selection Index' needs to be above 99% in selection unit. About 16,000 are selected as Semifinalist each year. For 2007 Competition: cutoff range: 204 in Mississippi to 224 in Massachusetts, with an unweighted mean of 215.

To be Commended Students: 'Selection Index' needs to be above 96% nationally. For 2007 Compitition: cutoff scores: 203。

How to become Finalist?
Semifinalist must complete an application. Other factors include: U.S. citizenship, or green card holder, enrolled in high school, and etc. Simply completing the application is typically enough to advance to Finalist standing, since approximately 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists become Finalists.

How to become 'Merit Scholarship Awards'?
About 8,200 Finalists are winners of Merit Scholarship Awards in one of the following type，order by award amount:
1. College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
Some colleges, not very prestigious schools though, will provide one-time or renewable awards (even full-ride) for Finalist if you decide to go to the school.
2. Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
Some companies will provide one-time or renewable award for Finalist. Most cases, only employee's kid will be eligible.
3. National Merit $2500 Scholarships
2500 Finalists will be awarded one-time $2500 on a state representational basis. Winners are selected without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.

National Merit Scholarship Program

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