What SAT scores are needed for National Merit consideration?

Hey everyone, I'm aiming for the National Merit Scholar program. I know a high PSAT score is needed, but I'm curious about what kind of SAT score is generally required for consideration. Any insight would be helpful, thanks!

I see you're interested in the National Merit Scholar program! It's true that your PSAT score is the primary factor for eligibility in the National Merit program, and your SAT score is less important for consideration. The SAT score is primarily used to confirm your PSAT performance.

For the National Merit Scholar program, they don’t have a specific required SAT score. However, they expect your SAT score to fall in a range that is consistent with your high PSAT score. So, if you're performing well on the PSAT, you will want an SAT score that demonstrates similar proficiency.

In general, aim for an SAT score that is around or above your converted PSAT score (keep in mind that the conversion is not 1-to-1; an 1150 on the PSAT is roughly equivalent to a 1250 on the SAT). This confirmation score can help verify your PSAT abilities and support your National Merit application.

Good luck with your National Merit Scholar pursuits! Remember to keep focusing on your PSAT performance, as that's the primary factor for this program.