PSAT/NMSQT score of 198?

A score of a 198 is fairly solid, and you could get into some good colleges with that equivalent on the SAT (1980 SAT). A 198 probably would not be high enough for Commended (that cutoff is usually around 200-202 ish). But your score will likely improve between your sophomore and junior years, so you have a fairly good chance at making NMSF next year.

Also, keep in mind that if you took a practice test not made by CollegeBoard, and/or if you did not time yourself the way the real test is timed, your actual PSAT score will likely deviate from your practice test score.

198 is very likely too low for the National Merit Finalist scholarship, usually it is 200 to 223, depending on the state. However, there are other scholarships where 198 might qualify, or at least benefit certain students, like the National Hispanic Recognition Program. Read up on these websites.

Here are scores from the last few years:

http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalM...

National Merit info: http://www.nationalmerit.org/

If this wasn't an official practice test, you should consider that you'd have scored lower with the stress an official test brings, the vibe is different. (Official in that it will show on your College Board account, usually you get the score in December, even if it doesn't count, the colleges do see your score if you allowed CollegeBoard to share it, and they send you ads if you score high enough for their admits.) So study more than you think you need to, get a few test prep books to go through over the next year. Also, the test changes year to year. From what my son said (he scored over 230 last year on his official 10th grade practice test, missed 2 total, no studying), this year's PSAT seemed tougher, even though he had studied, and it had some weird questions on it. So tests vary quite a bit.

All you can do is study over the year, and cross your fingers that what you studied is on the test. You have a good chance to raise your score 25 points to a likely National Merit Finalist score, if you study the books and do more timed practice tests. You might buy a couple of prep books, have a friend buy a couple, don't write in the books, and trade off.

Good luck!