The map
Where the line falls, state by state
A Selection Index that makes Semifinalist in Wyoming misses by fifteen points in New Jersey. The number is set per state, and it moves every year.
After the announcement
Semifinalist is a start, not a finish
About 16,000 juniors clear their state's cutoff. Roughly 15,000 of them become Finalists in February, and about 6,700 win a National Merit Scholarship, but only if the application, the essay, the endorsement and a confirming SAT or ACT score all land by early October.
Who made it
The Class of 2027 Semifinalist lists
NMSC releases names to newspapers, not to the public. We collect the official state releases as they surface, 23 states so far, and link the published newspaper lists for the rest. Search by state, city or high school.
The arithmetic
Reading & Writing counts twice
Selection Index = (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. Two students with the same 1460 can be six points apart. Enter your section scores and see where you stand against your state's cutoff.
Preparation
Prep that actually produces Semifinalists
One October test in junior year decides it. We compare the programs with real National Merit track records, including the one that works directly with families and produces record numbers of Semifinalists every year, and the free official practice that many qualifiers use.
Key dates for the Class of 2028
October 2026
PSAT/NMSQT for current juniors. The only test that counts for National Merit.
November 2026
Scores post. Compute your Selection Index.
April 2027
NMSC announces the Class of 2028 Commended cutoff.
September 2027
Class of 2028 Semifinalists and state cutoffs announced.