What percentile is a commended scholar?

The top 3-4% of scorers are named Commended Scholar. The top 1%, usually about 16,000 students, are named National Merit Semifinalists. Semifinalists may go on to apply for Finalist status and potentially win scholarship money.

What score do you need to be commended?

To become a Commended Student, one must score at or above the national selection index cut-off. This index varies each year but generally falls around 209-210 out of 240.

Is being a commended Scholar good?

Commended Scholar: Students who earn this designation have placed in the top 50,000 scorers on the PSAT (out of about 1.5 million test-takers). This recognition doesn't come with any monetary awards; however, it can still strengthen a student's application and show colleges a high level of academic achievement.

What index score is needed for National Merit Commended?

The Commended Student cutoff is likely to rise to 209 (above the 207 from the last 3 years). Estimates can be imperfect, but we are confident that the Commended cutoff will fall within the 208 to 210 range. The higher Commended cutoff, in turn, correlates with higher Semifinalist cutoffs. Below are those estimates.

What level of recognition is commended Scholar?

National Merit Commended Scholar and National Merit Semifinalist recognition are both appropriately designated as State/Regional honors. National Merit Finalist and National Merit Scholar recognition are both appropriately designated as National honors.

Percentiles (1.7)

Is National Merit Commended Scholar impressive?

Congratulations on becoming a National Merit Commended Scholar! It's an amazing accomplishment that reflects your hard work and academic abilities. You should definitely include it in the honors and awards section of your college applications, as admissions officers will recognize the value of this achievement.

Is National Merit Commended impressive?

Though Commended Scholars do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, their high scores still demonstrate strong academic abilities, which can be valuable to mention on college applications.

What percentile is National Merit Commended?

Commended Students

Generally, the top 2%-3% of PSAT scorers receive commended student status, or about 34,000 students.

What percent of people are National Merit Commended?

Those not making Semifinalist – about 34.000 of the 50.000, and about 3-4% of all PSAT takers – are "Commended", and receive a Letter of Commendation; they do not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards.

Should I put commended Scholar on common app?

NMS Commended usually goes on the Awards/Honors section of the Common App, and it's relatively prestigious. Both.

What does commended scholar get you?

The remaining 34,000 high scorers will be named Commended Students and will receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise, but they will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships.

How many people get commended National Merit Scholar?

In September 2024, more than two-thirds (about 34,000) of the high scorers will be designated Commended Students.

What is Commended scholar Award?

Scores are released in the winter months, but students have to wait until September of the following year to learn if they will be progressing in the competition. Commended Scholars are those that have a high score, but their results are lower than the selection index in their state.

Does National Merit Commended look good on college applications?

Although being a National Merit Commended Scholar isn't as significant as being a Semifinalist or Finalist, it's still a great accomplishment to include in the honors or awards section on your college applications.

Are commended students nationally recognized?

Each year, students who earn exceptional scores on the PSAT/NMSQT are recognized as Commended Students. Although Commended Students do not continue on in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some of these students may qualify for special scholarships offered by the NMSC's sponsors. Justin J.

How are National Merit Commended students chosen?

Commended Students

The quali- fying score for this level of recognition varies from year to year. All National Merit Program participants who score at or above the Commended level but below their selection unit's Semifinalist qualifying score are designated Commended Students.

How rare is National Merit finalist?

A finalist chances of winning

Of the 1.5 million applicants who submitted a PSAT score, there are only 7,250 National Merit Scholarship winners. This means you have a 0.5% chance of becoming a National Merit Scholar, making this one of the most competitive merit-based scholarships.

Is 94th percentile good for SAT?

Also, getting a 1350 score places you in the top 10% of all test takers, indicating a strong score. A score of 1400 places you in the 94th percentile or the top 6% of all the test participants.

How do you know if you are a commended student?

Although you can use the Compass projections to estimate whether you are likely to qualify as a Commended Student or Semifinalist, there is no way of knowing your official status until high schools are notified by NMSC in early September of your senior year (sometimes schools hear by late August).

What is the difference between commended and semifinalist National Merit?

The NMSC uses its own Selection Index to determine which students qualify as Commended Students and Semifinalists. In general, students who score in the top 3-4% are named Commended Scholars, while students who score in the top 1% are deemed Semifinalists. Students are compared on a state-by-state basis.

Should I put National Merit Commended Scholar on UC app?

I'd say, look at the honors section, rank student's awards, and list the best ones. If National Merit Commended makes the cut, absolutely include it. I certainly wouldn't hide it or leave a blank space.

How do I list National Merit Commended on common app?

If you have fewer than five awards listed in your Honors section, feel free to include a National Merit designation here. Commended Student and Semifinalist should be listed at the state level, while Finalist and Scholar should be listed at the National level.

How do I know if I am National Merit Commended?

HOW WILL SEMIFINALISTS KNOW IF THEY BECOME FINALISTS? On February 5, 2024, NMSC will mail a Certificate of Merit for each Finalist to the Finalist's high school principal. On February 12, 2024, NMSC will mail a letter to each Finalist at their home address.

What is the commended scholar cut off for 2024?

Compass has now confirmed all of the National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs for the class of 2024. Eligible students who have a Selection Index at or above the cutoffs will be named Semifinalists. Students who miss the Semifinalist cutoff will be named Commended Students if they have Selection Indexes at or above 207.