PSAT/NMSQT
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The PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is a multiple-choice standardized test administered by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
An estimated 1.3 million students took the test in 2004. The scores from the PSAT are used (with the permission of the student) to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The test and scores
The test is composed of three sections: Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. Each of the three sections is scored on a scale of 20 to 80 points, which add up to a maximum composite score of 240 points. This parallels the SAT, which is graded on a scale of 200 to 800 (the difference in range is mainly to distinguish from which test a score comes). However, unlike the New SAT (2005), the New PSAT does not include higher-level mathematics (i.e. concepts from Algebra 2) or an essay in its writing section (this section is new to the SAT in 2005).
The sum of the three scores is known as the Selection Index, and is used, along with four general criteria for eligibility, for preliminary selection in the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
The Selection Index score cutoff required to qualify as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist varies from year-to-year and state-to-state; this is to assure an even geographical distribution of Semifinalists. For the 2006 competition (test administered in 2004), cutoff scores ranged from 204 (Mississippi, Wyoming, U.S. territories) to 222 (Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., outside the U.S.), with a mean cutoff score of 213.
After being confirmed as a Semifinalist, which occurs one year after taking the PSAT as a junior, students must complete an application to become a Finalist. Other factors besides the PSAT Selection Index score are taken into account, such as the student's Grade Point Average (GPA) and extra-curricular activities. However, this information is not particularly rigorous, and mere application is typically enough to advance to Finalist standing. This is evidenced by the fact that 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists become Finalists.
Cheating and fairness
Most students in a classroom will have exactly the same test, but because of the nature of the test and specific rules concerning seating of the students, the chances for success at cheating are low. If a group of students worked together to actively cheat, the computer grading the exams would likely catch them; the computer evaluates answer patterns for irregularities such as several tests in one class with the same wrong answers.
Calculators pose a significant problem, as many calculators can be used to store vocabulary words that would give cheaters an unfair advantage on portions of the Critical Reading section. The testing administrator must ensure that calculators are only used in the Mathematics section of the PSAT.