I just received a 1200 on my PSAT. Could anyone tell me how good this score is and how colleges view it? Also, is this a good indicator of how I might score on the actual SAT, and what are the chances of National Merit with this score?
Firstly, congrats on completing your PSAT! A 1200 is a solid score and indicates that you’re above average, as the average is typically around 1000. As for how colleges view it, the PSAT is not considered in college admissions, but it's a valuable tool to gauge your preparedness for the SAT. Your PSAT score suggests that with some studying, you could see an even higher score on the SAT—think of the PSAT as a diagnostic tool.
Regarding the National Merit Scholarship Program, a 1200 is below the typical cutoff score, which varies by state, but is often above 1400. Don't be discouraged, though; there's time to prepare for the SAT and improve. Remember, a PSAT to SAT conversion is not exactly 1-to-1, but your PSAT score can be a useful benchmark.
If an 1150 on the PSAT is roughly equivalent to an 1180 on the SAT, you're probably looking at an SAT score slightly above that, potentially around the mid-1200s to start. Keep practicing, and good luck!
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