Hello! I recently took the PSAT/NMSQT and I'm wondering what score qualifies for National Merit. Does anyone know the cutoff or where I can find more information about it?
Hello! The qualifying score for National Merit varies by state, as each state has its own cutoff score for the PSAT/NMSQT. The cutoff score is determined annually based on the top 1% of scorers in each state. Typically, scores can range anywhere from around 210 to 223, with more competitive states having higher cutoffs.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) does not release official cutoff scores until the following September, so the information available before that is based on estimations and data gathered by the community. To get an idea of the possible cutoff score for your state, you can refer to past years' data, but keep in mind that these are just approximations as the scores can slightly fluctuate each year.
Once the official qualifying scores are released, students who meet or exceed their state's cutoff will be notified by their school and can proceed with the National Merit Scholarship Program, which includes submitting an application, an essay, and other documentation to be considered for various types of scholarships.
You can also visit the NMSC's website (www.nationalmerit.org) for more information about the program, but please note that they don't post the state cutoff scores online.
Congratulations on taking the PSAT/NMSQT, and best of luck!
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