Hi guys! I recently took the PSAT/NMSQT and I'm wondering what the cutoff score has been in the past for New Jersey National Merit Scholars. Could anyone share that info or point me in the right direction to find out? Appreciate the help!
Hello! The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) uses a Selection Index score to determine if students qualify for their programs. While the specific cutoff scores may change each year depending on the number of test-takers and their score distribution, I can provide you with a rough idea based on the past few years.
Historically, New Jersey has had one of the highest cutoff scores, as it's a competitive state. Over the past several years, the New Jersey cutoff score for the National Merit Semifinalist designation has typically ranged from 221 to 223.
Again, please note that these numbers are estimations, and the actual cutoff for the current year might be slightly higher or lower. The NMSC will send notification of Semifinalist status in September of your junior year, so you'll have to wait until then to find out if you qualified. In the meantime, focus on your studies and other extracurriculars to create a well-rounded application in case you don't make the National Merit cutoff. Good luck!
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.