The National Merit Scholarship Program is a prestigious academic competition for high school students in the United States. Each year, approximately 16,000 students are named National Merit Semifinalists, and about 15,000 of them advance to become National Merit Finalists. Finalists are chosen based on their academic record, extracurricular activities, and leadership skills. Those who meet additional criteria may be awarded National Merit Scholarships, which range from $2,500 to $10,000 per year for up to four years of college.
The cutoff score for becoming a National Merit Semifinalist varies from state to state. The cutoff score is the minimum PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index score that a student must achieve in order to be named a Semifinalist. The cutoff scores for the class of 2025 are as follows:
