Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program

Every fall, high school juniors across the country take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). While it’s often considered to be “practice” for the SAT, it also serves another purpose: it’s the first step in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

If you’ve heard of National Merit before but aren’t quite sure how it works (or how much effort or time it actually involves) you’re not alone. The process can be a little confusing, and the benefits vary widely depending on a student’s goals and the colleges they’re considering. 

Here’s what families need to know about how the National Merit Scholarship Program works from start to finish.

How the Program Works

About 1.3 million juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT each year, and approximately 50,000 students earn recognition based on their scores. Do all 50,000 receive a scholarship? Not exactly.

From there, the field narrows through several stages:

• Commended Students

• Semifinalists

• Finalists

• National Merit Scholars

At its core, National Merit is a recognition program, and there’s no separate test or fee beyond taking the PSAT to be recognized. But for students who continue through the later stages, it can become a more substantial process involving essays, recommendation letters, and documentation.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility is based primarily on the PSAT/NMSQT score taken during a student’s junior year of high school. Sophomore scores (the PSAT10) don’t count. To participate, students must also:

• Be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

• Be enrolled full-time in high school in the U.S. or a U.S. territory

• Plan to enroll in college full-time after graduation

That’s it! There’s no application at the start. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT as a junior automatically enters a student for National Merit consideration.

The Selection Index Equation

Now, time for some slightly confusing math.

National Merit recognition isn’t based on a student’s total PSAT score but on a special calculation called the Selection Index (SI). Here’s how it works:

1. Add together the three PSAT section scores: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. Each section is scored from 8 to 38.

2. Multiply that sum by two.

For example, if a student earns 34 in Reading, 35 in Writing, and 36 in Math:
(34 + 35 + 36) × 2 = 210 Selection Index

Each state has its own cutoff score to qualify as a Semifinalist, which typically ranges from the mid-210s to mid-220s. These cutoffs change slightly each year depending on how students in that state perform overall. A Selection Index that qualifies in one state may not in another.

Commended Students

Of the 1.3 million test-takers, about 34,000 students earn Commended Student status. Their scores place them roughly in the top 3-4% nationally. Commended Students receive a formal letter of recognition (which can be added to a resume or the Honors section of the Common Application), but they do not continue in the scholarship competition.

Note: Some colleges or organizations may still offer small scholarships for Commended Students, but this recognition is largely honorary.

Semifinalists

Roughly 16,000 students (about 1% of U.S. seniors) qualify as Semifinalists, and this is where the process becomes more involved. Again, each state has a specific cutoff score that determines who advances to this level.

Semifinalists are notified early in their senior year. To move on to Finalist status, they must complete a separate application through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which includes:

• An essay

• A recommendation (typically from a school counselor or administrator)

• A high school transcript

• SAT or ACT scores that support their PSAT performance

It’s a meaningful recognition but also a commitment. The application process takes time to ensure every part is complete.

Finalists

From the pool of Semifinalists, about 15,000 students become National Merit Finalists. Finalists are announced in February of a student’s senior year.

At this point, all Finalists are technically eligible for National Merit Scholarships, but not all will receive one. Finalist status itself is still highly respected and can open scholarship doors at certain colleges.

For example, Semifinalists and Finalists are eligible for sizable merit scholarships at the University of Alabama.

National Merit Scholars & Types of Scholarships

Roughly 7,000 students ultimately earn the title of National Merit Scholar and receive a scholarship. These awards come from three main sources:

1. National Merit $2,500 Scholarships: One-time awards given directly by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Recipients are chosen based on academic record, test scores, activities, leadership, and their essay.

2. Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarships: Funded by businesses, foundations, or professional associations. These are often given to children of employees or students planning to pursue certain fields of study.

3. College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships: Provided by participating colleges to students who list that institution as their first choice with the NMSC. The amounts can vary widely: some are modest, while others are full-tuition or more.

The most significant financial benefits typically come from college-sponsored awards, especially at universities that use National Merit recognition to recruit top students.

Why It Matters (& When It Doesn’t)

For some students, National Merit recognition is an impressive achievement that can lead to major scholarships, particularly at certain public universities in the South and Midwest. 

At others, especially highly selective private colleges, it’s viewed more as an academic honor than a financial opportunity.

Because the competition is based (at least, at first) on a single test taken on a single day, it’s important to have perspective. A strong PSAT score can certainly open doors, but it’s just one piece of a much larger college application.

Timeline: From PSAT to Scholarships

October (Junior Year) 

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT. 

December-January (Junior Year) 

• PSAT scores are released online. Students can see their section scores and Selection Index.

September (Senior Year) 

• NMSC notifies schools of Semifinalists and Commended Students.

• Semifinalists begin working on their National Merit Finalist application, including essays, recommendations, and taking the SAT or ACT..

October-January (Senior Year) 

• NMSC applications are due.

• Students designate a “first choice” college for scholarship consideration.

February (Senior Year) 

• Finalists are announced.

• Students and schools are notified.

March–June (Senior Year) 

• National Merit Scholars are named, and scholarships are awarded.

• Corporate and college-sponsored awards are finalized throughout the spring.

Putting It All in Perspective

The National Merit Scholarship Program rewards academic excellence, but it’s also a long process for the few students who make it to the end. 

For most families, it’s best understood as a bonus opportunity rather than a goal to build your entire testing strategy around.

If a student scores high enough to qualify, that’s something to celebrate! And it’s worth following through on. 

But if not, remember that there are many other paths to scholarships and recognition. Colleges evaluate students holistically, and strong grades, essays, and activities still carry the most weight.

In short: take the PSAT seriously, but don’t let National Merit define your college planning process. An excellent college experience is still entirely within reach, with or without being a National Merit Scholar.

COVID-19 & College Applications Part 1: Standardized Testing

I usually end my meetings with students by asking them to rate their college-related stress level on a scale of 1-10. This helps me check in with how my students are feeling and also lets me know where their pain points are. Over and over, I’m hearing the same thing this fall when I ask students what’s driving their stress: standardized testing.

Even though more than half of all colleges have adopted some sort of test-flexible or test-optional policy for students applying to enter in the fall of 2021, all of the uncertainty around testing is putting a lot of extra strain on students. 

Most of my students have one test score from the ACT given by North Carolina public schools in February. And for the last seven months, they’ve been strung along prepping for tests that may not happen, finding out about site cancellations the night before (or even the morning of) the test, and even driving multiple hours to find open testing locations. In the last few weeks, I’ve heard from a few of my students that they’ve finally been able to test, but they’re worried about their scores because they were distracted by their mask or regret not prepping more because this is the fourth test they’ve signed up for and didn’t think it would actually happen.

The situation around standardized testing isn’t ideal, and it certainly isn’t fair. But because this is our current reality, I thought it might be helpful to address some frequently asked “testing during COVID-19” questions.

What is test optional and what does it really mean?

Test optional means that a college has decided that standardized test scores are not required for a student to be admitted to their school. Students have the choice to send scores if they have them, but they will not be penalized if they choose not to include test scores as part of their application.

More than 1,000 colleges have adopted a test-optional policy for at least the upcoming year. Because this is an unusual change in the admission process, many students and families are wondering: Does test optional really means test optional?

NACAC, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, has been definitive with their answer: YES.

That said, make sure you fully understand a college’s test-optional policy before you apply. Some colleges like the University of Alabama and Elon University are test optional for admission purposes, but students will still be required to submit a test score before they enroll. Other colleges with test-optional admission policies may still use test scores for academic scholarships or honors colleges.

What is test flexible? 

There are fewer test-flexible colleges than test-optional ones. Test flexible means that the school has placed some conditions on whether or not a student will need to submit test scores. Some test-flexible colleges, like the University of South Carolina, require additional materials like AP scores or a graded paper from students are not submitting an SAT or ACT score. Other test-flexible colleges, like the University of Arkansas, have a test-optional policy but only for students meeting certain GPA requirements.

Because each test-flexible college may have different requirements to meet, it is important to understand each college’s test-flexible policy before you apply.

What is test blind?

If a college is test blind, they do not use test scores in the decision making process. Test optional and test blind are not the same thing. 

If a college is test optional, a student will not be penalized for not submitting scores, but another student with strong test scores can and should submit those scores to strengthen their overall application. A test-blind college is not considering test scores at all as part of a student’s application - even if they send in a perfect score.

Few colleges have adopted true test-blind policies this year - the major exception being the University of California system.

If I don't send my test scores, how will my application be evaluated?

It’s important to reiterate that students will not be penalized or disadvantaged if they do not submit test scores to a college with a test-optional policy. But without test scores as part of a student’s application, how will they be evaluated?

Colleges are going to be looking closer at other parts of the application. As always, a student’s grades and course rigor are going to be major factors. Letters of recommendation from teachers may also carry more weight as they provide a look at a student’s performance in the classroom. Essays may be read more closely.

Some colleges may add an additional piece to the application for students not submitting test scores. The University of Tennessee asks for an additional essay if they are applying without a test score. And after a student has submitted their application, Clemson asks students to "Please provide us with a short description of any additional factors you would like us to consider in place of standardized test scores."

How do I apply test optional?

If you want your application to be considered without a test score, do not self-report your test scores on the application or send an official score report to that college. 

Some colleges will ask in their application if you want your application to be read with or without a test score, so make sure to choose the correct option for you. However, not all colleges ask this as part of the application process, so it’s important to set up an online portal with each college after you’ve submitted your application to see if there are any additional requirements. Like I mentioned above, Clemson asks if a student wants to be apply without test scores after the application has been submitted.

What do I do if I want to apply test optional to some schools but send my test score to others?

On the Common App, it’s easy to self-report your test scores to different colleges and withhold it from others. In the testing section, simply click that you have no test scores to report if you are submitting a test-optional application. Any test scores you have entered won’t be deleted from your account and will reappear if you click “yes,” but they will not be sent with any application where “no” is clicked. Make sure you know which colleges you want to send test scores to and which ones you don’t, and double-check your answers in this question each time you are ready to submit.

If I apply test optional and am able to test later this fall, can I change my mind?

Maybe. The final decision is ultimately up to each individual college, so reach out to your admissions counselors to learn more about specific school policies. 

What if my scores are released or my test date is after a school’s deadline?

Again, it depends. 

It depends on the school’s policy and how far after the deadline we’re talking. Some colleges, like UNC Chapel Hill, give students a window of a few weeks after the application deadline for supplemental materials like test scores to be received. Other colleges want all materials received by the same date. 

Reach out to your admissions counselor before your deadline to learn if they will accept your late scores. In some cases, you might decide to apply by a later deadline. But if an early deadline is necessary because of a specific program or opportunity, it may be in your best interest to apply test optional. 

So… Should I apply test optional?

• Have you been able to test at all?

• Will you have the opportunity to test again in an environment where you feel safe?

• Do you feel like your test score reflects your academic abilities?

• Does your test score fall in the middle 50% of test scores for that college?

• Are you required to submit test scores for honors colleges, merit aid, or any other programs?

If you’re answering “no” to these questions and the colleges on your list have test-optional policies, don’t let standardized testing add to what is already an unusually stressful college admissions cycle. Instead, work hard on your essays - even the optional ones, assemble a team of recommenders who can speak to your strengths in and out of the classroom, and focus on strengthening the other parts of your application.