Which PSAT qualifies for National Merit?

The PSAT/NMSQT is the only qualifying test for the National Merit^® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). For more information, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

What PSAT score qualifies for National Merit?

Scores Needed for National Merit Scholarships

The average cutoff score is approximately 215, but if you live in Wyoming or Montana, you might qualify with a lower score, whereas if you live in areas like Massachusetts, New Jersey, or D.C., you will likely need a higher score.

How do I know if I get National Merit Scholarship?

Finalists are notified in early February by mail at their home addresses. A student may also access their Finalist letter through their Online Scholarship Application account.

What is a 207 PSAT score?

The PSAT also assigns each test taker a Selection Index score on a scale of 48-228. This is the score used to determine your eligibility for National Merit consideration. Each state maintains a different Selection Index cutoff score, with the lowest being 207 and the highest being 223.

What grades can take the PSAT NMSQT?

The PSAT/NMSQT is designed for 10th and 11th graders. Some schools offer the PSAT 8/9, which tests the same skills as the PSAT/NMSQT, but in ways that are appropriate for earlier grade levels. Check with your child's school counselor to see if your school offers the PSAT 8/9.

How to Win a National Merit Scholarship | PSAT Tips

Does a 1500 PSAT qualify for National Merit?

Practically speaking, this means that anyone who qualifies as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist (PSAT scores of 1400/1520 and up, depending on the state of residence) should be able to easily achieve a confirming score (SAT scores as low as 1320/1600, and ACT scores as low as 26/36), especially given multiple ...

Does PSAT 10 qualify for National Merit?

(The PSAT™10 and PSAT™8/9 will NOT be considered for entry to the National Merit Scholarship Program.)

Does a 1400 PSAT qualify for National Merit?

3. Does a 1400 PSAT Qualify for National Merit? Based on the scores of real grade 11 students who took the PSAT, a score of 1400 puts you in the 97th percentile. You may not qualify for the National Merit Scholarship with this score: it also depends on the cut-off scores of your state.

Does a 1300 PSAT qualify for National Merit?

Based on your PSAT score of 1300 (690 EBRW and 610 Math), it is possible that you may qualify for National Merit consideration next year. However, it's important to note that the qualifying score varies by state and is based on the scores of other students in your state who take the PSAT.

Is 900 a bad PSAT score?

A combined score of 900 is the 31st percentile, (students scored higher than 31% of the people but unfortunately, 69% of the students scored higher). On the other end of the spectrum, a score of 1220 is the 85th percentile (students scored higher than 85% of the people and only 15% of the students scored higher).

What PSAT score is National Merit 2024?

If you're much stronger in math than you are in writing, then you could aim for a perfect 760 on Math and a little lower on Reading and Writing. Overall, you need to get a section score above 715 on both sections of the PSAT to compete for National Merit, with some states requiring even higher section scores.

Can you retake PSAT for National Merit?

Yes, HOWEVER, only the exam in the fall of your junior year can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship. If your school will let you, you are free to take the PSAT as a freshman or sophomore.

Is a 1200 on the PSAT bad?

A good PSAT score is between 1210 and 1520, which would put you in the top 10% of test takers. The average score earned on the PSAT is about 920, and a “perfect” score on the PSAT would be the maximum score of 1520.

Is 1300 on PSAT bad?

If your child scored high (1300 or above):

A high PSAT score is incredibly promising and is an accomplishment to be proud of — but high PSAT scores do not necessarily promise high SAT scores.

Is 1420 PSAT good enough for National Merit?

The lowest score you can get on a section is 160, while the highest score is 760. So, the highest combined score a student can earn is 1520. A score to qualify as a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist should be 1420 or more.

Is PSAT 10 easier than Nmsqt?

For students in the 11th grade who are English Language Learners, the PSAT 10 may be a good option to begin with since it's slightly easier than the PSAT NMSQT. If you're a sophomore, you could take either test, really, depending on your educational and test-taking goals.

Is PSAT 8 9 easier than PSAT 10?

The PSAT 8/9 scores on the scale of 240 and 1440 as I have discussed earlier but the scores of PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT range from 320 to 1520. Another difference between PSAT 8/9 percentiles and PSAT 10 percentiles is that the reason for this difference is that scoring more percentiles is tougher in PSAT 10.

Is PSAT 10 easier than PSAT NMSQT?

The PSAT NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 are all quite similar - their only difference is the slightly ramped up difficulty for each successive test. That means each test is going to give you excellent practice for the real SAT.

How rare is a 1500 PSAT?

If you're in 11th grade, anything between a 1490 and 1520 places you in the top 1%. About 1.5 million students in each grade take the PSAT each year, so the 99th percentile puts you among the top 15,000 test takers.

How hard is it to get a 1500 on the PSAT?

What is a Good PSAT Score in 2024? In 2024, a PSAT score of 1500-1520 would be considered an exceptionally strong score for any student. This score should place a student in the 1st percentile of all test takers, meaning that students scoring in this range have performed better than 99% of students who take this test.

Can sophomores qualify for National Merit?

before entering college full time must take the qualifying test in their third year of high school (grade 11, junior year). Sophomores who take the 2023 PSAT/NMSQT but plan to spend four years in grades 9 through 12 will not meet entry requirements for the 2025 National Merit Program.

What is a 221 PSAT score?

To get to 221, a student can get approximately 6 to 8 problems wrong between all the sections. For example, on the Fall 2023 PSAT, students could meet 221 with four wrong on Reading and Writing, and four wrong on Math.

What is a 215 PSAT score?

For example, in Texas this year the NMS qualifying score was a 215 which would put the student in the top 1% of test takers. So a student who scored a 213, which is a great PSAT score, would not have qualified for the National Merit Scholarship.

Do colleges look at PSAT 11?

College Board does not send PSAT/NMSQT scores to colleges. These scores are not intended to be part of college admission decisions. They should not be included on student transcripts that will be reproduced and sent to colleges unless the student (if 18 or older) or their parent/guardian has granted permission.