National Merit Cutoffs by State (Class of 2027)
Calculate your PSAT Selection Index and compare it with your state's Semifinalist cutoff.
Selection Index calculator
Cutoffs are compiled from school reports; NMSC shares them with schools rather than publishing a public table.
Quick answer: for the class of 2027, National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs range from 208 (Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming) to 223 (New Jersey, D.C.). The national Commended level is 208.
National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs by state
| State | Class of 2027 | Class of 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 210 | 214 | -4 |
| Alaska | 208 | 215 | -7 |
| Arizona | 215 | 218 | -3 |
| Arkansas | 210 | 215 | -5 |
| California | 220 | 224 | -4 |
| Colorado | 217 | 219 | -2 |
| Connecticut | 220 | 223 | -3 |
| Delaware | 219 | 220 | -1 |
| District of Columbia | 223 | 225 | -2 |
| Florida | 216 | 219 | -3 |
| Georgia | 217 | 220 | -3 |
| Hawaii | 218 | 219 | -1 |
| Idaho | 211 | 215 | -4 |
| Illinois | 218 | 222 | -4 |
| Indiana | 215 | 218 | -3 |
| Iowa | 210 | 214 | -4 |
| Kansas | 212 | 216 | -4 |
| Kentucky | 211 | 214 | -3 |
| Louisiana | 211 | 216 | -5 |
| Maine | 214 | 217 | -3 |
| Maryland | 221 | 224 | -3 |
| Massachusetts | 221 | 225 | -4 |
| Michigan | 216 | 220 | -4 |
| Minnesota | 214 | 219 | -5 |
| Mississippi | 211 | 213 | -2 |
| Missouri | 214 | 217 | -3 |
| Montana | 208 | 213 | -5 |
| Nebraska | 212 | 214 | -2 |
| Nevada | 211 | 214 | -3 |
| New Hampshire | 215 | 219 | -4 |
| New Jersey | 223 | 225 | -2 |
| New Mexico | 209 | 210 | -1 |
| New York | 220 | 223 | -3 |
| North Carolina | 217 | 220 | -3 |
| North Dakota | 208 | 210 | -2 |
| Ohio | 216 | 219 | -3 |
| Oklahoma | 210 | 212 | -2 |
| Oregon | 216 | 219 | -3 |
| Pennsylvania | 219 | 221 | -2 |
| Rhode Island | 213 | 219 | -6 |
| South Carolina | 212 | 215 | -3 |
| South Dakota | 210 | 211 | -1 |
| Tennessee | 214 | 219 | -5 |
| Texas | 219 | 222 | -3 |
| Utah | 209 | 213 | -4 |
| Vermont | 212 | 216 | -4 |
| Virginia | 221 | 224 | -3 |
| Washington | 221 | 224 | -3 |
| West Virginia | 208 | 210 | -2 |
| Wisconsin | 212 | 215 | -3 |
| Wyoming | 208 | 210 | -2 |
| U.S. territories | 208 | 210 | -2 |
| Studying abroad | 223 | 225 | -2 |
How the Selection Index works
Selection Index = (2 × Reading and Writing + Math) ÷ 10. Example: 740 Reading and Writing and 720 Math gives (1480 + 720) ÷ 10 = 220. The range is 48–228. Only the junior-year PSAT/NMSQT counts.
Each state gets a share of about 16,000 Semifinalist spots in proportion to its graduating seniors, so the cutoff is the lowest index that fills that share. Class of 2028 cutoffs are expected in September 2027.
Frequently asked questions
What PSAT score qualifies for National Merit?
National Merit uses the Selection Index, not the total. For the class of 2027 you needed 208 for Commended and 208–223 for Semifinalist depending on your state.
Does a 1480 PSAT qualify for National Merit?
Very likely. A 1480 total produces a Selection Index between 220 and 224 depending on the section split — above the class of 2027 cutoff in every state except possibly New Jersey, D.C. and students abroad (223) at the low end.
Does a 1400 PSAT qualify for National Merit?
It depends on the split. A 1400 total gives a Selection Index between 204 and 216 — a strong Reading and Writing score can reach Commended (208) and the lower-cutoff states, a strong Math split usually cannot.
How much is the National Merit scholarship?
The National Merit $2,500 Scholarship is a one-time award; corporate and college-sponsored awards vary, and some colleges offer large automatic scholarships to Finalists.
When are National Merit cutoffs released?
Schools learn Semifinalist results in early September of senior year. Class of 2027 cutoffs were released in September 2026.