Hey everyone, I just got my PSAT score back, and I'm sitting on a 1460. I'm really aiming for National Merit recognition, but I'm not sure if this score is in the ballpark. What's the typical cutoff, and does it fluctuate a lot between states?
Congratulations on your score! A 1460 is indeed a strong PSAT performance. For National Merit consideration, you'll want to pay attention to the Selection Index, which is the sum of your scores on the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math tests, multiplied by 2.
The cutoff for being named a National Merit Semifinalist does vary by state as each state has its own threshold determined by the highest scores in that state's group of test takers. Generally, cutoffs have fluctuated slightly year to year, making it a bit unpredictable. Your score already places you in a competitive range, but for the most accurate idea, check historical cutoffs for your state, and keep an eye out for the official announcements of semifinalists, typically in September the year after you take the test.
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