National Merit Cutoffs by State

State values are transcribed from Compass Education Group’s cutoff table, checked October 2, 2026. They are reported figures, rather than a state table published here by NMSC. The school notification and NMSC determine your recognition.

Your Selection Index is $$\frac{2\times \text{Reading and Writing}+\text{Math}}{10}$$

720 Reading and Writing with 710 Math gives $(2\times 720+710)÷10=215$. Swap them and it drops to 214, from the same 1430 total. Each section runs from 160 to 760, so the index runs from 48 to 228.

“2026 cutoff” can mean the graduating class of 2026 or a result announced during calendar year 2026. Those are different competitions. Use the graduation-year column, then match the junior-year PSAT date.

The class of 2027 Commended line is reported as 208; the class of 2026 line was 210. Commended uses a national line, so Washington and Arizona do not have separate Commended cutoffs. Their Semifinalist cutoffs are state-specific.

For 640 Reading and Writing and 710 Math, the Selection Index is 199. That is below the reported Kansas lines of 212 for class of 2027 and 216 for class of 2026. The PSAT total of 1350 is a different number. An index of 2660 is outside the 48–228 PSAT Selection Index scale.

A 220 index meets the listed class of 2027 score line in New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Missouri, South Carolina and Ohio. It falls below the listed Massachusetts and Washington line of 221. This compares score thresholds only; entry requirements and the correct program year still matter.

Check the eligibility statement on your PSAT/NMSQT report. Meeting a reported cutoff does not automatically make you a Finalist or scholarship winner. Semifinalists must complete NMSC’s application and additional requirements, including its confirming-score instructions where applicable. An SAT score ordinarily does not replace the qualifying PSAT; alternate entry has a separate process.

Maryland remains flagged because Compass lists 221 and McElroy lists 222. If your index is 221 there, use your school’s notification or NMSC confirmation instead of treating either tracker as a final status decision.

Juniors taking the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2026 are the class of 2028. Scores come out October 22, November 5 or November 12, depending on when your school gives the test. Class of 2028 cutoffs come out around September 2027.

Class of 2028 cutoffs are not known yet. The two previous classes provide historical context, not a promised qualifying score. Do not assume that the higher previous cutoff will be sufficient for a future class.