Hello, folks. I'm trying to estimate my chances of getting National Merit Commended. Looking at my PSAT score, I'm unsure if it's good enough. I know the exact number changes each year, but does anyone have a rough idea or prediction of what the cutoff might be for my graduation year?
While no one can predict the exact National Merit Commended cutoff score, it has generally fallen between 208 and 212 in previous years. The cutoff score does change slightly every year based on the performance of test-takers across the country.
Usually, to become one of the approximately 34,000 Commended Students, hopefuls need to score in the top 3-4% of all PSAT participants—this could still mean scoring in the 96th or 97th percentile due to the weighting of the Selection Index. Depending on the scores in your graduation year, you may need a PSAT score of at least 1400, often higher, to potentially earn Commended status.
Keep in mind that every year the competition varies, so these numbers might not stand true for your specific year. Regardless, your PSAT score is still a strong indicator of your potential SAT score, and preparing for these exams is beneficial.
Remember, the National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes not only Semifinalists and Finalists but also Commended Students, so focusing on reaching that top percent of scorers is an awesome goal to have in mind.
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