PSAT Score for National Merit: What's the cutoff?

I've heard the PSAT can qualify you for National Merit scholarships, but what score do you actually need on the PSAT to be considered? Does it differ by state or is it a national standard?

Absolutely right, the PSAT can qualify you for National Merit Scholarships, which is a prestigious recognition. The score required to be considered does indeed vary by state, because it's based on the Selection Index, which is a calculated number from your PSAT results. Each state has its own cutoff that’s determined annually by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation based on the scores from that state. This means what might qualify you in one state may not in another due to varying levels of competition.

To find out if your score is competitive for National Merit in your state, you can look at the previous years’ cutoff scores as a benchmark, though keep in mind these scores can fluctuate slightly from year to year. For instance, a state like New Jersey might have a higher cutoff compared to Wyoming. As benchmarks, cutoffs typically range from the low-210s to the high-220s (out of a possible 228). The College Board often releases this information well after the PSATs are taken, so patience is key. Keep doing your best in school and keep an eye out for the official announcement to see if you qualify!