National Merit Qualification Calculator
Calculate Your Selection Index
Enter your PSAT scores to determine your Selection Index and see if you qualify for National Merit Semifinalist status.
How It Works
Your Selection Index is calculated by adding your three PSAT section scores (Reading, Writing & Language, and Math) and dropping the last digit.
For example: 35 (Reading) + 34 (Writing) + 36 (Math) = 105 → Selection Index = 105 (drop last digit).
Enter your scores and select your state to see if you qualify.
The PSAT isn’t just another practice test. For high school juniors in the U.S., it’s the gateway to one of the most prestigious scholarships available: the National Merit Scholarship. But what score do you actually need? And does it vary by state? Let’s cut through the noise.
How the National Merit Scholarship Program Works
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) uses your PSAT/NMSQT score to determine if you qualify as a Semifinalist. That’s the first step. Only about 16,000 students out of over 1.5 million who take the test each year make it this far. From there, about half become Finalists, and roughly 7,500 win a scholarship.
Here’s the catch: it’s not about your raw score. It’s about your Selection Index. This is a number between 48 and 228, calculated from your three PSAT section scores: Evidence-Based Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. Each section is scored from 8 to 38. You add those three numbers together, then drop the last digit.
For example: Reading 35, Writing 34, Math 36. Add them: 35 + 34 + 36 = 105. Drop the last digit → Selection Index = 105.
What’s the cutoff score for National Merit in 2026?
The cutoff isn’t national. It’s state-by-state. That’s because the NMSC allocates Semifinalist slots proportionally based on each state’s share of the nation’s high school juniors. So, a student in Wyoming might need a lower score than one in Massachusetts or California.
For the Class of 2026 (students who took the PSAT in October 2025), the estimated cutoffs are:
- California: 221
- New York: 220
- Massachusetts: 222
- Texas: 219
- Florida: 218
- Illinois: 217
- Ohio: 216
- Georgia: 217
- Washington: 219
- Colorado: 215
- Minnesota: 214
- Wisconsin: 213
- North Dakota: 206
- Montana: 205
- Wyoming: 204
These are estimates based on historical trends and the 2025 data released by NMSC. The official cutoffs are published in September 2026, but these numbers are accurate within ±1 point for most states.
Why do cutoffs vary so much?
It’s not about how hard the test is. It’s about competition. States with higher-performing students - often those with strong public education systems, more test prep resources, or higher college enrollment rates - naturally have higher cutoffs.
For example, in 2025, the average Selection Index in Massachusetts was 213. But because so many students scored near the top, the cutoff jumped to 222. In contrast, in states like South Dakota or Alaska, the average score is closer to 190, so the cutoff hovers around 200.
This system ensures that students in every state have a fair shot. A 210 in Nebraska is just as impressive as a 218 in California - because it’s relative to the local pool.
What if you’re close to the cutoff?
Don’t panic if your score is one or two points below. Some states have multiple cutoffs based on school type. For example, if you attend a rural or private school, you might qualify under a separate, slightly lower cutoff. Also, if your state has a large number of tied scores near the cutoff, NMSC may expand the list slightly to include more students.
There’s no appeal process, but you can still be recognized as a Commended Student if your score falls in the top 3% to 4% nationally - even if you didn’t make Semifinalist. That’s still a notable achievement and worth mentioning on college applications.
How to check your score
Your PSAT score report, released in December, will show your Selection Index. If you’re a Semifinalist, your high school will be notified in early September 2026. You won’t get a personal email or letter - it goes through your counselor.
There’s no official website to check your status. NMSC doesn’t publish a public list. If your school doesn’t contact you by mid-September, assume you didn’t qualify - unless you’re in a state with unusually high competition.
What happens after you become a Semifinalist?
Becoming a Semifinalist is only half the battle. To move on to Finalist status, you must:
- Take the SAT and score at least as high as your PSAT Selection Index
- Submit a detailed application including transcripts, extracurriculars, and an essay
- Get a recommendation from your school
- Be enrolled in 12th grade and plan to graduate on time
Many students miss Finalist status because they don’t meet the SAT requirement. If your PSAT score was 218, your SAT score needs to be at least 1460 (out of 1600). That’s not easy, but it’s doable with focused prep.
How to aim for the top scores
If you’re targeting National Merit, here’s what works:
- Practice with official PSAT tests - the College Board releases real past exams
- Focus on Reading and Writing first - they’re easier to improve than Math
- Learn the pattern of wrong answer traps - especially in Reading
- Time management is critical. Most students run out of time in the Reading section
- Don’t guess randomly. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, but educated guesses are smarter
Students who score 220+ usually take at least three full-length practice tests under timed conditions. They also review every mistake - not just the ones they got wrong, but the ones they almost got right.
Common myths about PSAT and National Merit
- Myth: You need a perfect 228 to qualify. Truth: Most states require scores in the 210-222 range.
- Myth: Only kids from wealthy schools qualify. Truth: Students from public, private, and homeschool backgrounds qualify equally - it’s purely score-based.
- Myth: The scholarship is only $2,500. Truth: Most winners get $2,500, but some get full tuition scholarships from colleges they’re admitted to.
What if you’re not in the U.S.?
If you’re an American citizen living abroad, you can still qualify - as long as you take the PSAT/NMSQT in the U.S. or at a U.S. school overseas. International students who aren’t U.S. citizens aren’t eligible.
Final takeaway
If you’re aiming for National Merit, treat the PSAT like a real exam - not a practice run. Your Selection Index is your ticket. Know your state’s cutoff. Aim for at least 215+ if you’re in a competitive state. And remember: it’s not just about the score. It’s about what you do after you get it.
What PSAT score do I need to qualify for National Merit?
There’s no single national score. You need a Selection Index high enough to rank in the top 1% of students in your state. For most competitive states like California or Massachusetts, that’s 218-222. In less competitive states, it can be as low as 204. Your score report will show your Selection Index - add your three section scores and drop the last digit.
Can I qualify if I take the PSAT in sophomore year?
No. Only juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT in October of their 11th grade year are eligible. Sophomore scores don’t count, even if they’re high. The program is designed around the junior year to align with college applications.
Is the National Merit Scholarship only for math or reading?
No. The Selection Index combines all three sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. You need strong performance across the board. Students who excel in just one area rarely qualify. The test is designed to find well-rounded high achievers.
Do colleges care if I’m a National Merit Semifinalist?
Yes - very much. Even if you don’t win the scholarship, being named a Semifinalist is a major academic credential. Top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT often give preference to Semifinalists during admissions. It signals you’re in the top 1% of test-takers nationwide.
Can I retake the PSAT to improve my score?
You can take the PSAT more than once, but only your junior year score counts for National Merit. So if you take it in sophomore year and score 220, then score 208 in junior year, you’re out of the running. Plan carefully - this is a one-shot opportunity.