Hello! I just wanted to ask if anyone knows what the cutoff scores for National Merit Scholarship semifinalists usually are. Is it different for each state? If so, how can I find out the cutoff for my state? Thanks!
Hi there! Yes, the cutoff scores for the National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists do vary by state, as they are determined by the top 1% of PSAT/NMSQT test-takers in each state. The cutoff scores usually change slightly each year, depending on how that year's test-takers perform.
To find out the most recent cutoff score for your state, you can search online for previous years' scores or look for news articles reporting the updated cutoffs. Additionally, your high school guidance counselor may have access to this information, so you can always ask them if you're uncertain.
Keep in mind that cutoff scores for the next testing year are not released until after the next round of PSAT/NMSQT tests have been completed and scored. So, while you can use the previous years' scores as a general reference, be aware that the exact cutoff score for your testing year might be slightly different. Good luck!
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