Hey friends! I just received my PSAT scores back and I got a 220. Is this score high enough to potentially qualify for National Merit, or should I not get my hopes up? Any help would be appreciated!
Hey there! Congrats on getting your PSAT scores back! A 220 is a strong score and could potentially qualify you for National Merit, but it's important to note that the qualifying score varies by state and from year to year. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses the Selection Index, which is calculated by doubling the sum of your Reading, Writing, and Math scores. So, if your Selection Index is 220, that's the number they'll use for National Merit consideration.
Each state has its own cutoff score for National Merit semifinalists, based on the top 1% of test-takers in that state. Therefore, your chances of qualifying for National Merit will depend on the competition within your state and the cutoff score for the particular year you took the exam. To get a general idea of what the cutoffs might be, you can search online for the previous year's state cutoffs, which should give you a ballpark figure.
Keep in mind that even if you qualify as a National Merit Semifinalist, there are still additional steps in the process, such as submitting your SAT scores, writing an essay, and getting a letter of recommendation, among other requirements. That being said, regardless of whether you qualify for National Merit, a 220 PSAT score is an excellent indicator of your abilities and potential SAT score, so you should still be proud of your achievements! Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.