National Merit Index - What Is It and How Is It Calculated?

I've been hearing a lot about the 'National Merit Index' lately. I'm curious about what exactly it is, and how it's calculated? Also, how important is this index in the overall national merit process?

The National Merit Index, often referred to as the Selection Index, is a score used by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. This program provides recognition and potential college scholarships for high-performing high school students in the United States. The Selection Index is calculated from your PSAT/NMSQT scores, which you typically take in your junior year of high school.

To calculate the Selection Index, first, you need your Reading, Writing, and Math PSAT section scores. Next, multiply the Reading and Writing section score by 2, divide the Math score by 10, and then add the three resulting numbers together. This will give you a Selection Index score. For example, if your section scores are Reading and Writing 690 and Math: 720, your Selection Index would be:

(69 x 2) + 72 = 210.

The importance of the Selection Index in the National Merit process lies in determining whether or not a student qualifies as a Semifinalist. Each state has its own Selection Index cutoff score, varying annually based on the performance of all test-takers in the state. Students with Selection Index scores equal to or above the cutoff are named National Merit Semifinalists. These Semifinalists represent less than 1% of high school seniors in the United States.

After becoming a Semifinalist, students must submit an application to advance to the Finalist level, including a strong academic record, an essay, information about extracurricular activities, and a letter of recommendation. The NMSC then selects approximately 15,000 Finalists, from which around 7,500 students will win National Merit Scholarships.

In summary, the National Merit Index, or Selection Index, is a crucial part of determining eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. However, it is just one component in the process, and further steps are necessary to become a Finalist and potentially win a National Merit Scholarship.