Does anyone know approximately what SAT score would qualify a person as a National Merit Finalist? I was unable to take the PSAT which is normally administered, but I contacted the corporation and they had me take the SAT. Now, I want to know.. give or take.. what SAT Score would make one a Finalist as some scholarship money through my prospective university rides on this. Any help is appreciated.
138040
The National Merit Scholarship relates to how well you do on the PSAT, not the SAT. If you do not take the PSAT, you will unfortunately not be able to get a National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT is graded on a different scale than the SAT, but I think you need to be in the top 2% to qualify.
275779
Hey, I just took my Sat in may and im in canada..wehn i got my scores back they give a percentil of everyone who worte the test i think....i don;t think they divide it internationally.\n\nA good SAT score I think is about 1800/2400 but it depends on where u go and what the basic requirement is\ngood luck;)
616302
Happens all the time.  Just about everyone has an ACT or SAT score used to determine there college eligibility.  Many schools will use those as the true indicator of your chances of success at their institution.  YOu could ask for an exception if you feel strongly about it.
388449
Ok, the rest are not true, because I asked my college counselor.\nFor the SAT (not ACT or anything else) they take the highest section scores from DIFFERENT sittings.  You are able to mix and match scores from different times to get your HIGHEST POSSIBLE score.  In your case they will consider Math: 750 Reading: 730 and Writing: 700 for a total of 2180! they will recieve your other scores as well.  CONGRATULATIONS btw. Awesome job!
656263
The people who said 1600 is the top score are no longer right - under the new system, there are additional sections that add points.  However, a 1400 is still pretty good; right around average.  I would see what your percentiles are (for example, being in the 70th percentile means you scored higher than 70% of the people) for a better idea of how good you did.  The new SAT scores are different, and there's not a real good basis for what's good or bad yet.  However, I don't think you have anything to worry about. :o)
4774
SAT scores are typically somewhat higher (50-100 points overall) than PSAT scores.  Because you're learning all the time, right?  Also, the PSAT results come with a detailed analysis of where your weak spots were, so that a dedicated student can snag a practice book or surf on over to http://www.number2.com/ for some free test prep.  Think twice before spending tons of money and time on test prep; the list of schools that are de-emphasizing standardized tests is getting longer every year (this year's additions include Drew University in NJ and the College of the Holy Cross in MA).
319025
I hope you did very well on your SAT. I hated the SAT. I got a poor score so thats why,  lol. I did much better on the ACT but the bottom line is I still got into the school I wanted to go to. So best of luck to you and I hope everything turns out alright for you.
147236
You can answer this question without seeming conceited by telling the truth about yourself. The truth, as Walter Brennan once said in an old western movie "Not brag, just fact."\n\nSo, you have to explain why you deserve it. I don't know what the qualifications are to be eligible for the scholarship, and you should be sure to address how you meet those qualifications.\n\nOther than that, talk about why you are a good representative of the middle school, why your use of the money is a good use of the money, and why you have the skills, motivation and attitude to do well in school. Point out any evidence or examples of your motivation, skills or attitudes.\n\nGood luck.\n\nPS: Don't promise points for an answer. Its against the community rules, and we really don't want people to be primarily driven by points. We want people to be good members of the community.
386822
Umm...actually. The total score now is 2400. They've added a writing section and changed the Verbal section to Critical Reading.\n\nI wasn't aware that mark you based on where you are. :| The highest score you can get in MA...is the same as the highest score you can get anywhere else. 2400. Though only very few get as high. I believe only 200 or more students got a perfect score in the new SAT.
609199
Well, what you need to check with the schools you want to go to.  Most schools are lienient with their ACT score acceptance, but since you scored a 23, then most state schools will be giving you scholarships to go there....if it is a private school then most likely the standard may be higher, but always check with those schools to see what thier acceptance scores are....But a 23 is really good considering the national average is like 18 or 20 or so to my knowledge.....Great job!  If you can, take it again in ur senior year and you should score higher - I did got a 23 the first time, then a 25 second time...
179006
It sounds like the new scoring systems has everyone a bit confused... some schools asked for all three scores, but only consider the reading & math scores.\n\nHere are average scores on the most recent test: 520 math and 508 verbal for a combined score of 1028.  The most selective schools (e.g., ivy league) typically had SAT averages north of 1400 (combined math & verbal, not all three tests).\n\nSo I guess it's a question of how you did on the math & verbal, and what is your goal in terms of schools.  You can find out what your target schools' average SAT scores for entering Freshmen by looking on their websites or contacting their admissions offices.
514235
DEFINITELY do apply. I am actually a freshman at MIT and we share some of the qualifications, namely the "low" SAT scores. Your SAT scores arent necessarily a deal-breaker; I got a 680 on the SAT I Math section (although I got much higher on the Math Level 2SAT IIs). They definitely do like to see well-rounded people. Just work on your essays, and dont "try" to make them into something you think an admissions officer would like to read. Also, a pretty good indication of whether you get in is if you've met the basic requirements, namely :\ncalculus (pretty important, but not necessarily required)\nphysics\nchemistry\nand biology.\nagain, none of those subjects are necessarily required- I had taken everything but physics. Good luck!
192036
If you take your PSAT, your scores are sent to all colleges who ask for them, and then you will start receiving mail from colleges who take interest on you based on your preliminary test.                                                                 However, if you have not taken your PSAT, you can go to collegeboard.com and sign up there, search for colleges that might interest you (they have a wonderful college search engine that pulls up schools based on your expressed criteria) and it will either have a button that you can request info for that school or go to the website and try to get them to send you info from there.                                                              If you haven't already taken your PSAT, the next one will be in October of next school year. Mine will be on Saturday October 18th, but schools can either sign up for a wednesday test or a saturday test. Talk to your school counselor to inquire as to when you're next PSAT will be and you can get help preparing for your PSAT from www.collegeboard.com, too. Try signing up for the SAT question of the day, it's really fun and and gives you an idea as to what may be on the actual SAT.\nE-mail me if you may have any furthur questions at thezutonfever@yahoo.co.uk, don't be shy, I love researching colleges and helping people out with their college search too. Me, I'm considering University of Washington, University of Chicago, Notre Dame, and University of British Columbia if you want to check those schools out :)
49530
The College Board might have it.  They are the administrator of the SAT.  If depends on their retention policy.
497241
I took the PSAT last month. Still haven't gotten my scores back yet. \nMy brother took the SAT last year. I don't know what his score was, but he's at a private college that only has 300-400 students, so it must've been good.
416719
Yeah, they obviously don't know what the new SAT test is :)  Wasn't that horrible???  It is sooooooooooo long.  Anyway, there are a lot of good schools that you could get into - you did a TON of extracurricular work, so you should make that the backbone of your application.  Apply to your state's main public school as a backup (or not, some are really very good).  Apply to Loyola University of Chicago.  I applied there when I was a senior, and I know that they LOVE extracurricular work and volunteerism.  I read that you want to go into law, so it MIGHT help to go to a school that has a law school, but it really doesn't usually make a difference (that's what I've heard at least).  Best of luck!!!
292961
I scored a 1300, and that was enough to get me nearly a free ride with combined scholarships to Winthrop University.  They required a 1350 for a full scholarship just from Winthrop.  My sister scored near 1000 (I don't remember exactly) and while she got few scholarships, she didn't have a problem getting accepted.\n\nI think as long as you're near 1000, you're ok.  But it takes a 1200 or so to get good scholarships.  \n\nGood luck if you haven't taken it yet!