The PSAT Is More Than Practice: Understanding National Merit Recognition

For most students, the PSAT is a practice run for the SAT. But for academically strong juniors, the October PSAT/NMSQT can carry considerably more significance. It is also the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program, a prestigious academic award and scholarship opportunity.

This week, students in the Class of 2027 will begin learning whether their performance on last fall's PSAT earned them recognition as National Merit Commended Students or National Merit Semifinalists. Their results offer an important reminder for today's juniors—the Class of 2028—who will take their qualifying PSAT/NMSQT this October.

🎙️Listen to this conversation on PSAT and the National Merit Scholarship on the Tests and the Rest podcast.

What Is the National Merit Scholarship Program?

Each year, more than a million high school juniors enter the National Merit Scholarship competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT and meeting the program's eligibility requirements. The cutoff can move from year to year depending upon how students nationwide perform. The highest-scoring students may receive one of two important distinctions:

Commended Student

Commended Students are among the highest-scoring PSAT/NMSQT students in the country. The qualifying score for Commended recognition is determined nationally, meaning a student in Ohio needs the same Selection Index as a student in California, Florida, or any other state. Commended Students receive an impressive academic distinction that can be included on college applications, although they do not advance to the Finalist stage of the National Merit Scholarship competition.

National Merit Semifinalist

Semifinalist status is even more selective. Approximately the top 1% of graduating U.S. high school seniors earn this designation. Unlike the Commended cutoff, Semifinalist cutoffs are determined state by state. That means an Ohio student competes against the qualifying level established for Ohio rather than against one universal national Semifinalist score. Semifinalists can then apply to advance to Finalist status and potentially compete for National Merit Scholarships and certain corporate- and college-sponsored awards.

The Number That Really Matters: The Selection Index

One of the most important things for families to understand is that National Merit does not simply use a student's total PSAT score out of 1520 to determine recognition. Instead, it uses a separate number called the National Merit Selection Index. For the current digital PSAT, the calculation is:

Selection Index = (2 × Reading & Writing Score + Math Score) ÷ 10

The maximum Selection Index is 228. 

Consider these examples:

730 Reading & Writing + 730 Math = 1460
Selection Index = 219

740 Reading & Writing + 710 Math = 1450
Selection Index = 219

710 Reading & Writing + 740 Math = 1450
Selection Index = 216

Same PSAT Total Score. Different National Merit Selection Index.

That last comparison is especially revealing. Two students can both earn a 1450 PSAT, yet one could have a Selection Index of 219 while the other has a 216. Why? Because Reading and Writing receive twice the weight of Math in the National Merit calculation. That's an extremely important distinction for a student preparing specifically to qualify for National Merit. For an Ohio student in a year when the cutoff was 219, that difference could potentially mean Semifinalist versus Commended recognition.

What Have the Cutoffs Looked Like in Ohio?

Look at that variety. From year to year, the index can swing substantially. That's a three-point increase in just two graduating classes. And three Selection Index points can represent only a relatively small number of questions on the PSAT. That's why students shouldn't prepare with the goal of simply reaching last year's cutoff. If National Merit is the goal, build a cushion.

So What Does This Mean for Current Juniors?

For most students, we don't recommend treating the PSAT like another high-stakes standardized test. It can serve primarily as valuable practice and an early benchmark for future SAT or ACT preparation. But strong-testing juniors are different. If a student scored exceptionally well on a sophomore PSAT, has historically performed at a very high level on standardized tests, or appears within striking distance of recent National Merit qualifying scores, preparing specifically for the October PSAT can absolutely make sense.

A Smart National Merit PSAT Prep Strategy

1. Start with a full diagnostic PSAT.
Don't just look at the total score. Calculate the student's Selection Index and compare it with recent Ohio qualifying levels.

2. Set the target above the historical cutoff.
Ohio's Semifinalist cutoff has recently ranged from 216 to 219. Because the cutoff isn't known until long after students take the PSAT, aiming for exactly 216, 217, or 219 is risky. A student pursuing National Merit should aim to create some breathing room above recent qualifying levels.

3. Pay special attention to Reading and Writing.
A point gained in Reading and Writing has more impact on the National Merit Selection Index than the same point gained in Math. That doesn't mean ignoring Math—it means understanding how the scoring system works and prioritizing preparation strategically.

4. Figure out why points are being lost.
At this level, students often don't have massive content deficits. The difference may be a handful of vocabulary questions, grammar rules, difficult reading questions, rushed math, or simple careless errors. For a student already scoring at the top of the PSAT range, eliminating a few avoidable mistakes can matter enormously.

5. Practice specifically for the digital PSAT.
Students should be comfortable with Bluebook, adaptive testing, question types, pacing, and the shorter Reading and Writing passages before test day.

One PSAT. One Opportunity.

Another reason we encourage potential National Merit candidates to take October seriously: You don't get to retake the PSAT for National Merit. Students can take the SAT multiple times. They can take the ACT multiple times. But there is only one junior-year PSAT/NMSQT that determines National Merit qualification. That doesn't mean every junior needs extensive PSAT preparation. It does mean that a high-scoring junior who has a legitimate opportunity to earn Commended or Semifinalist recognition shouldn't walk into October thinking: "It's just the practice SAT." For some students, it is much more than that. As this year's National Merit Semifinalists are announced, now is the perfect time for families of current juniors to ask: Could National Merit be a realistic goal for my student—and if so, are we preparing accordingly?

At Seeley Test Pros/LEAP, we help families determine whether PSAT prep is right for your student. Practice testing can establish a baseline, identify strengths and weaknesses, and help families decide whether the PSAT should be part of the junior-year plan. Reach out to us to learn how we can help you determine the appropriate next step for your student.

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