Hey everyone, I’m kinda in a pickle here. Just got my PSAT scores back and I’m sitting at a 1260. I'm wondering, is that considered a good score in terms of college admissions standards, or should I be aiming higher? Like, where does that put me percentile-wise and will it affect my National Merit chances? Also, does it reflect where I might land on the SAT?
Congratulations on your PSAT score! A 1260 is a solid score and places you above the average compared to other test-takers. Remember, the PSAT is primarily a practice for the SAT and a qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship.
With a 1260, you're likely in about the 80th to 85th percentile, but for National Merit consideration, you might need to be in the top 1%, which often requires a score upwards of 1400+, although the exact cutoff can vary by state.
To gauge your SAT performance, you can expect to score slightly higher, as the PSAT is a bit easier than the SAT, and conversion suggests an equivalent SAT score might be around 1290. However, many students improve their scores on the actual SAT after further study, so use these results as a baseline to identify areas to focus on.
Make sure to take advantage of SAT prep resources, and consider taking a full-length practice SAT to see where you really stand. Keep up the good work, and with some study and preparation, you'll likely improve your scores even further. Best of luck!
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