PSAT Scores for National Merit Scholarship - What's the threshold?

Hi there, I'm new to the college application process. I'm focusing particularly on scholarships, namely the National Merit Scholarship. I wanted to ask, what PSAT score range is generally required to be considered for this scholarship?

The National Merit Scholarship Program uses the Selection Index score, not the total PSAT score, to determine eligibility. The Selection Index score is calculated by doubling the sum of your Reading, Writing and Language, and Math test scores. This score ranges from 48 to 228.

While there is no hard and fast 'cutoff' for the National Merit Scholarship, you generally need to be in the very top percentiles. It's important to note that the exact eligibility score can vary from year to year and state by state as it's based on the top 1% of scores in each state.

The cutoff scores for the National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists have typically hovered around 215-220, but again, this number can fluctuate a bit depending on the state and the year. Make sure to aim for as high a PSAT score as you can and ideally, strive for near perfect scores in each section to increase your chances of qualifying.

This process might seem a bit complex, but scoring high on the PSAT not only opens up the possibility for National Merit recognition but also provides a good foundation for the SAT. Best of luck in your preparations!