Hey everyone! I recently took the PSAT, and I'm wondering about the National Merit Scholarship qualifying score. Can anyone tell me what score I need to achieve in order to qualify? Thanks for the help!
Hello! The National Merit Scholarship qualifying scores depend on the state you're in, as each state has a unique cutoff score based on the top 1% of PSAT scores in that state. These scores can vary from year to year, but they generally stay within a similar range.
Cutoff scores range between around 210 and 225, with more populous states typically having higher cutoffs. It's important to note that these scores are based on the Selection Index rather than the total PSAT score. You can find the Selection Index by adding your three PSAT section scores (i.e., Reading, Writing & Language, and Math) and then multiplying the sum by 2. This means that the Selection Index will be on a scale of 48 to 228.
Keep an eye out for the official cutoff scores to be released around late August or early September of your junior year, as the National Merit Scholarship Program usually communicates its qualifying scores around that time. Until then, you can look up previous years' cutoffs to get a general idea of where your state's score might fall. Remember, this is just qualifying for the program, and there will be further steps (such as submitting an application) to participate and potentially earn the scholarship. Good luck!
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