Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out roughly where the PSAT cutoff score stands for being considered for National Merit Scholarships. Any insights or past experiences would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Hello! The National Merit Scholarship Program uses a selection index score to decide which students qualify as semifinalists. The selection index score is calculated by doubling your PSAT Reading and Writing score (out of 38) and adding it to your Math score (out of 38). The maximum selection index score is 228.
The cutoff scores for National Merit consideration vary by state and year, as they are set based on the top 1% of scorers in each state. Typically, the cutoff scores range anywhere from 208 to 223. You can find the estimated cutoffs for your state by searching online for the most recent National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs, but keep in mind that these estimates are subject to change. To be safe, aim for a selection index score within the higher end of the range for your state.
In summary, there's no fixed cutoff score for National Merit consideration, as it depends on your state and the performance of other students taking the test that year. Best of luck on your PSAT!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.