National Merit Semifinalist Cutoffs by State - Class of 2026

Official actual cutoff scores announced September 2025

🎯 Commended Student Cutoff: 210

The Commended Student cutoff for the Class of 2026 is confirmed at a Selection Index of 210. Approximately 36,000 students scoring at or above 210 will receive Commended Student recognition or advance to Semifinalist status.

ACTUAL Cutoffs Announced! The table below shows the official Semifinalist cutoffs for each state, announced in September 2025. Class of 2026 cutoffs reached historic highs, with Massachusetts and New Jersey both hitting 225 - the highest cutoffs ever recorded.
Historic Results: The Class of 2026 saw the highest National Merit cutoffs in history! Of the 12 largest states, 8 set new records and 4 tied their previous highs. Students in Massachusetts and New Jersey needed near-perfect scores (750 Reading & Writing + 750-760 Math) to qualify.

Interactive Cutoff Map - Class of 2026

National Merit Semifinalist Cutoffs by State
State Class of 2026 (Actual) Class of 2025 Class of 2024 Class of 2023
Historic Achievement: The Class of 2026 achieved the highest National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs in history. Massachusetts and New Jersey reached unprecedented 225 scores. Major increases were seen across most states, with California jumping to 224 (+3), New York to 223 (+3), and Illinois/Texas both hitting 222.

Understanding State Cutoffs

National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs vary by state because the National Merit Scholarship Corporation allocates approximately 16,000 positions based on each state's proportion of high school graduates, not test-takers. This ensures representation from all states.

Why Do Cutoffs Vary?

States with more competitive testing populations (like Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California) have higher cutoffs, while other states have lower cutoffs. This system means qualifying scores range from 208 to 225 depending on your state of residence.

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