The 2026 National Merit cutoffs, state by state
If you took the PSAT/NMSQT and want to know whether your Selection Index is high enough to make Semifinalist or Commended Student, this is the reference. Below you will find the confirmed Class of 2026 state-by-state cutoffs, the Commended Student threshold, and what is currently known about the Class of 2027 cycle. Cutoffs are published by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) after each cycle and are often compiled by Compass Education based on NMSC notifications to states.
Need the full picture of how the program works, from Commended Student to Finalist to Scholar? Read our PSAT National Merit Scholarship guide. Need to improve your Selection Index? Start a free SAT quiz since the content overlaps almost perfectly with the PSAT.
What is the Selection Index?
Your PSAT/NMSQT total score (400-1520) is not what National Merit uses to pick Semifinalists. The program uses a separate number called the Selection Index, on a scale of 48-228.
The formula is simple:
- Selection Index = (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10
The Reading & Writing score counts double, a holdover from when the SAT had three section scores. So a 750 Math and a 720 Reading & Writing yields: (720 × 2 + 750) ÷ 10 = 2190 ÷ 10 = 219.
All National Merit cutoffs are expressed as Selection Index values, not total PSAT scores.
Class of 2026 Semifinalist cutoffs by state
These are the confirmed Selection Index thresholds for Semifinalist recognition for students who took the October 2024 PSAT/NMSQT and were notified in September 2025.
Cutoffs range from 210 (the national floor) in states like New Mexico, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming, up to 225 in Massachusetts, New Jersey, DC, and students studying abroad. Data verified against Compass Education's confirmed cutoff list, which is updated from NMSC notifications each cycle.
The Class of 2026 Commended Student cutoff
About the top 3% of all PSAT/NMSQT test-takers (roughly 50,000 students) are recognized as Commended Students or higher. For Class of 2026, the national Commended Student cutoff was 210 — so any student who scored 210 or above on the Selection Index received at least Commended Student recognition, even if they did not reach their state's Semifinalist cutoff.
Semifinalists, who advance to compete for scholarships, are the top ~1% by state (about 16,000 students nationally each year). The Semifinalist cutoff is higher than the Commended cutoff and varies by state, as the table above shows.
Class of 2027 cutoffs: what we know
State-level Semifinalist cutoffs for the Class of 2027 will not be officially announced until September 2026. What NMSC has already confirmed is the Commended Student cutoff:
- Class of 2027 Commended Student cutoff: 208 — two points lower than the Class of 2026
Based on the drop in the Commended cutoff and the lower overall Reading & Writing performance on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT, state Semifinalist cutoffs are expected to decline by 1-3 points relative to Class of 2026 for most states. The projected range is roughly 209 to 223. These are estimates, not official numbers. Watch for the official NMSC announcement in September 2026.
How to estimate your qualifying odds
Quick check against your own PSAT/NMSQT score:
- Calculate your Selection Index: (R&W × 2 + Math) ÷ 10
- Find your state in the table above
- Compare your Selection Index to your state's cutoff
- Also compare to the Commended cutoff (210 for Class of 2026, 208 for Class of 2027)
Remember, Semifinalist status is only step one. To become a National Merit Finalist and compete for scholarships, you also need to apply formally, maintain your GPA, submit an essay, and confirm your SAT score matches your PSAT performance.
What to do if your score is just under the cutoff
A Selection Index within 2-3 points of your state's Semifinalist cutoff is close enough that the retest strategy often pays off:
- Focus heavily on Reading & Writing. Because R&W is doubled in the Selection Index, a single point gain in R&W equals two Selection Index points. A single point gain in Math equals one. Reading & Writing improvement is strictly more valuable.
- Drill on Bluebook and Larry Learns. Use free practice SAT questions — the PSAT/NMSQT uses the same digital format, so practice overlaps directly.
- Take the PSAT again in fall of junior year if possible. Only the PSAT taken in 11th grade counts toward National Merit, so you only get one official shot.
For the broader PSAT prep game plan, see our PSAT math practice guide and PSAT practice tests.
Related resources
- PSAT National Merit Scholarship: Full program guide
- PSAT practice tests: free downloads
- PSAT math practice guide
- Practice SAT questions: free resources by section
- SAT formula sheet: complete reference
- SAT score calculator
Frequently Asked Questions About NMSQT Qualifying Scores
What is a qualifying PSAT/NMSQT score?
"Qualifying" depends on which recognition you are aiming for. To be Commended Student for Class of 2026 you need a Selection Index of at least 210 nationally. To be a Semifinalist, you need to meet your specific state's cutoff, which ranged from 210 to 225 for the Class of 2026. Semifinalist status moves you into the competition for actual scholarships.
What is the Selection Index and how is it calculated?
The Selection Index is a 48-228 scale that NMSC uses instead of your PSAT total. It is calculated by doubling your Reading & Writing section score, adding your Math section score, and dividing by 10. A 720 R&W and 750 Math PSAT = (720 × 2 + 750) ÷ 10 = 219 Selection Index.
What is the lowest National Merit cutoff for 2026?
The lowest Semifinalist cutoff for the Class of 2026 was 210, shared by New Mexico, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming, and US Territories. This is also the national Commended Student floor, so anyone below 210 received no Commended or Semifinalist recognition for that cycle.
What is the highest National Merit cutoff for 2026?
The highest was 225, reached by Massachusetts, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, and US Abroad students. California, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington were close behind at 224. Those were also the highest Semifinalist cutoffs ever recorded.
Why do National Merit cutoffs differ by state?
NMSC allocates Semifinalist spots proportionally to each state's number of graduating high school seniors, so each state has its own cutoff calibrated so the top ~1% of the state's scorers qualify. High-performing states like Massachusetts and California have much higher cutoffs than lower-population or lower-scoring states.
When will Class of 2027 National Merit cutoffs be announced?
Official Class of 2027 state Semifinalist cutoffs are expected in September 2026, when NMSC notifies Semifinalists through their high schools. The Commended Student cutoff of 208 is already confirmed. State-level cutoffs are projected to drop 1-3 points from Class of 2026 levels for most states based on the lower overall R&W performance on the October 2025 test.
Does my SAT score count for National Merit?
Only indirectly. You cannot qualify for National Merit with the SAT. But once you are named a Semifinalist, you must confirm your status by submitting a qualifying SAT score that aligns with your PSAT performance. NMSC publishes a specific SAT threshold for confirming Semifinalist status each year (typically around a 1420 total).
How do I find my state's cutoff for Class of 2027?
Official cutoffs will be posted on nationalmerit.org and Compass Education's tracker once announced in September 2026. Until then, use the Class of 2026 numbers above as a benchmark and add a small downward adjustment (1-3 points) for most states.
