|
September 10, 2025: The official class of 2026 statewide SI cutoffs have been released by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)! Unfortunately, these cutoffs have significantly risen from last year's. They range from 210 (New Mexico, North Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming) to 225 out of a possible 228 points in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. -- an all-time high.
Nearly all 51 locations saw an increase of 1-3 points or more from the class of 2025. On average, the 50 states and the District of Columbia raised their Selection Index (SI) cutoffs by an incredible 1.8 points. The only 3 states whose SI cutoffs did not increase for the class of 2026 were Nevada (same as last year), North Dakota (same as last year), and New Mexico, whose cutoff dropped by 1 point. For context, last year's class of 2025 National Merit Scholarship SI cutoffs ranged from 208 (Commended, US Territories, South Dakota) to 223 (Studying Abroad, Massachusetts, New Jersey).
If you missed out becoming a on National Merit semifinalist, don’t fret: studies have suggested that fewer than 30% of Ivy Leaguers are National Merit semifinalists, finalists, or scholarship winners. To state the obvious, some of the 50 U.S. states are obviously far more competitive than others -- and colleges will keep this in mind during the admission process.
The main qualification for National Merit is a high PSAT score (out of 1520), unless you utilize the little-known / controversial Alternate Entry process for students who are unable to take the 11th-grade PSAT. Thus, a high SAT score (out of 1600) in one's junior or senior year will in most cases serve the same purpose.
You can also rest assured that, unlike SAT and ACT scores, PSAT scores are not an official part of the college admissions process. In other words, including your PSAT score on your college applications is 100% optional.
Best of luck on your PSATs, SATs, college applications, and beyond.
-Brian
2025 Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program
Information about the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Competition
Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program
-------
Official Class of 2026 SI Cutoffs:
Alabama 214 (212 last year) +2 (alternate link)
Alaska 215 (214 last year) +1
Arizona 218 (217 last year) +1
Arkansas 215 (213 last year) +2
California 224 (221 last year) +3 (Orange County / Bay Area)
Colorado 219 (218 last year) +1
Connecticut 223 (221 last year) +2
Delaware 220 (219 last year) +1
Florida 219 (217 last year) +2
Georgia 220 (218 last year) +2
Hawaii 219 (217 last year) +2
Idaho 215 (213 last year) +2
Illinois 222 (220 last year) +2
Indiana 218 (217 last year) +1
Iowa 214 (212 last year) +2
Kansas 216 (215 last year) +1
Kentucky 214 (213 last year) +1
Louisiana 216 (215 last year) +1
Maine 217 (214 last year) +3
Maryland 224 (222 last year) +2
Massachusetts 225 (223 last year) +2
Michigan 220 (218 last year) +2 (non-paywalled link)
Minnesota 219 (217 last year) +2
Mississippi 213 (212 last year) +1
Missouri 217 (215 last year) +2
Montana 213 (209 last year) +4
Nebraska 214 (211 last year) +3 (non-paywalled link)
Nevada 214 (214 last year)
New Hampshire 219 (217 last year) +2
New Jersey 225 (223 last year) +2
New Mexico 210 (211 last year) -1
New York 223 (220 last year) +3
North Carolina 220 (218 last year) +2
North Dakota 210 (210 last year)
Ohio 219 (217 last year) +2
Oklahoma 212 (211 last year) +1
Oregon 219 (216 last year) +3
Pennsylvania 221 (219 last year) +2
Rhode Island 219 (217 last year) +2
South Carolina 215 (214 last year) +1
South Dakota 211 (208 last year) +3
Tennessee 219 (217 last year) +2
Texas 222 (219 last year) +3
Utah 213 (211 last year) +2
Vermont 216 (215 last year) +1
Virginia 224 (222 last year) +2
Washington 224 (222 last year) +2
Washington, D.C. 225 (222 last year) +3
West Virginia 210 (207 last year) +3
Wisconsin 215 (213 last year) +2
Wyoming 210 (207 last year) +3
U.S. Territories / Commended 210 (208 last year) +2
U.S. Abroad 225 (223 last year) +2
To give you a sense of recent historical trends, here are the statewide cutoffs for the previous 3 years.
Back to Blog Home
|
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
