What PSAT Score Qualifies for National Merit? Your Guide to the Cutoff

Wondering exactly what PSAT score you need to become a National Merit Semifinalist? Good question, because there isn’t just one magic number for everyone. The score you need totally depends on where you live and how tough the competition is each year.

Here’s the deal: The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (they call it NMSC) uses your PSAT/NMSQT score to pick out the top scorers in every state. They don’t reveal their secret formula, but what really matters is your Selection Index—basically, it’s a special number they come up with from your PSAT results. You can even find your own Selection Index on your score report. Why does this matter? Because only the highest scorers move forward and have a shot at scholarships. You don’t just want a good score—you’re aiming for the best in your state.

• How the National Merit Cutoff Is Set
• State-by-State Differences You Need to Know
• Real Cutoff Scores from Recent Years
• Tips for Hitting (and Beating) the Score You Need

How the National Merit Cutoff Is Set

The first thing to know is that the cutoff isn’t picked out of thin air each year. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) decides who qualifies based on PSAT/NMSQT scores, but they use a scoring method called the Selection Index. Here’s how it works: Take your scores from the three PSAT sections (Reading, Writing, and Math), drop the decimal, and double the total. If you scored 35 Reading, 36 Writing, and 38 Math, your Selection Index would be (35+36+38) x 2 = 218.

Now, NMSC doesn’t use a fixed number every year or even the same number in every state. They compare your PSAT Selection Index to everyone else who took the test in your state that year. Each state gets its own cutoff since they want to honor top performers from everywhere, not just the high-scoring hotspots like Massachusetts or California.

"The Selection Index cutoff for National Merit varies across states and from year to year, depending on the performance of students in each state." — National Merit Scholarship Corporation FAQ

This means a 215 might make you a semifinalist in North Dakota, but you could need a 223 in New Jersey. On top of that, NMSC only releases the cutoffs after the test-takers' scores come in—usually in early September the following year. There’s zero way to know your state’s number in advance. For the class of 2024, state cutoffs ranged from 207 up to 223.

Check out this quick example of real state cutoffs for the 2024 class:

So, aiming for National Merit means shooting for a score that's at the very top in your own state, not just a national average. That’s why students are often told to target a Selection Index at least a few points above last year's cutoff—just in case things go up.

State-by-State Differences You Need to Know

Think it’s just one national cutoff for the National Merit? Not even close. Each state gets its own qualifying number, called the Selection Index cutoff. Why? The folks who run the program want to make sure talented students in every state have a fair shot, no matter where they live.

States with a lot of high-scoring test-takers, like Massachusetts or New Jersey, usually have higher cutoffs. Smaller states or ones with fewer high PSAT scores (like North Dakota or Montana) often have lower cutoffs. For example, the 2024 cutoff in New Jersey was 223, but South Dakota’s was only 211. That’s a huge difference and totally changes how you should prepare.

Here’s a quick way to compare states from the most recent year available:

So, why does this matter for you? Well, these numbers can swing up or down by a point each year depending on how students in your state perform. Even one point can be the difference between getting named a Semifinalist or missing out.

• Always check the latest numbers for your state – Google "2025 National Merit cutoff" plus your state or ask your school’s guidance counselor.
• If you’re right near last year’s minimum, shoot for a few points higher, just in case the bar moves.
• Some big states have super competitive cutoffs, so don’t just think about the national scene. Your real competition is local.

Bottom line: where you live counts—a lot. Your study goal should line up with your state’s trends, not just the national average.

Real Cutoff Scores from Recent Years

The cutoff score for National Merit Semifinalist isn't the same everywhere, and it really does change each year. The big thing is your Selection Index, which goes up to 228. Think of this as your ticket—it’s based on your PSAT score, and if you don’t meet the cutoff, you won’t move forward, simple as that.

Let’s talk numbers. For the class of 2025 (who took the PSAT in October 2023), the highest state cutoff was 223, and the lowest was 207. Some states, like Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California, are always near the top of the range, while states with smaller populations or less fierce competition—like North Dakota or Wyoming—tend to have lower cutoffs.

Here’s a quick look at actual National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs from the past three years, so you can compare:

You can see that cutoffs aren’t locked in. Sometimes they jump by a point or two if the test is trickier or the scores change statewide. Each state’s number is basically built around the top 1% of PSAT test takers from that state. If you’re aiming for Semifinalist, always check the latest data for your state, but shoot for a Selection Index at least a couple points higher than the last published cutoff, just to stay safe.

Tips for Hitting (and Beating) the Score You Need

If you're gunning for National Merit, just winging the PSAT isn't going to cut it. Nailing a top PSAT score takes some planning and smart strategies. A lot of students who make the Semifinalist list have a game plan months ahead of test day—and it pays off.

First off, get familiar with the Selection Index. Everyone talks about total scores, but for National Merit, this Index is what they care about. You add up your Reading, Writing, and Math section scores (on a scale of 8–38 each), double that combo, and you’ve got your Index. Most National Merit cutoffs fall between 207 and 224, but the higher, the safer.

Here's what actually helps:

• Practice real tests: The College Board releases official PSAT and SAT practice tests. Use those—not just random prep questions online. Score them the way NMSC does so you know where you stand.
• Target your weak spots: Do your mistake analysis. If you're always missing grammar questions, zero in on that. If it’s math, drill algebra and data analysis. Practice doesn’t just mean doing more—it means focusing on what hurts your score.
• Time yourself: The PSAT has tight timing. Set a timer every time you practice, and get used to moving at test speed. Most folks miss easy points because they rush or run out of time.
• Know your state cutoff: Some states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California have cutoffs as high as 221–223. Others, like Wyoming or North Dakota, have lower cutoffs (around 209–212). Focus on YOUR state’s numbers. You can use last year's data as a target, but aim at least 1–2 points above.
• Don't forget test-day basics: Get sleep, eat real food, and use a calculator you know inside out. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people melt down over a dead battery or skipped breakfast.
• Handle nerves: Getting anxious is normal, but it messes with your focus. Try breathing tricks or even take a walk before the test. You want your brain sharp when you sit down.

Here’s a quick look at some real Selection Index cutoffs for recent Semifinalists:

Last thing—don’t burn out chasing perfection. A great Selection Index opens doors, but you’re more than a number. Stay consistent, use smart prep, and keep your eye on your state's cutoff. You’ve got this.