Some random thoughts in response to OP and a couple of other responses: If you have a high ability child, I would definitely opt for the SAT over the PSAT 8/9 or the PSAT/NMSQT due to the extremely low ceiling issue. Keep in mind that the current SAT is not like the one given prior to 1989 and accepted by MENSA. The ceiling is much much lower. In order to lower the ceiling even more, the PSAT 8/9 maxes out at 1440 (720M/720RW) while the PSAT/NMSQT maxes out at 1520 (760M/760RW) as compared to the SAT max of 1600. This actually makes it harder for 99+ percentile kids to score in the 99+ percentile because when you lower the ceiling, many more students hit it and careless errors and luck of the draw become a factor. If DC's talent search SAT scores are already in the 1500 range, then it is impossible to reach that score on the PSAT 8/9 and a potential toss-up whether you will on the PSAT/NMSQT. I mentioned luck of the draw because on an easy PSAT, a single missed problem can subtract 10 or 20 points from the maximum score (the actual PSAT 8/9 DS/DD took last fall). The SI (selection index) is 1/10 the sum of the Math score plus two times the Reading/Writing score so for NM (National Merit) purposes, it is possible to miss Semi-Finalist status in the toughest states with a score of 1490 if it's 760M/730RW. It is possible to miss the NM boat by missing a total of two problems in the RW sections on an easy version of the PSAT. Of course, there are some states with an SI as low as the commended cut-off of only 212 (compared to 223 in the toughest states, including Americans aboard) where you can achieve NM with a score as low as 1360 (600M/760RW).
