Alabama National Merit Cutoff 2027: 210
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Alabama, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Alabama Class of 2027: a Selection Index of 210 or higher on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. The national Commended Student cutoff is 208. Alabama shares this cutoff with Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Alabama National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Alabama cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 210 | -4 | +2 |
| Class of 2026 | 214 | +2 | +4 |
| Class of 2025 | 212 | +2 | +4 |
| Class of 2024 | 210 | -2 | +3 |
| Class of 2023 | 212 | — | +5 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between Alabama's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Alabama Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Newspaper list: AL.com (full list).
See Semifinalist lists for every state.
Am I a National Merit Semifinalist in Alabama?
Take your PSAT/NMSQT section scores and compute (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. If the result is 210 or higher and you took the test in October 2025 as a junior in Alabama, you meet the Class of 2027 cutoff. Use the Selection Index calculator to check instantly, then read what happens next (the Finalist application is due in early October).
Alabama FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Alabama for the Class of 2027?
The Alabama Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 210, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -4 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 214.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in Alabama?
A Selection Index of 210 or higher for the Class of 2027. Selection Index is (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, so a 720 Reading & Writing with 660 Math, or a 700 Reading & Writing with 700 Math would reach 210.
Is 210 a hard cutoff in Alabama?
Meeting it is enough: a 210 qualified. Alabama ranks #40 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and South Dakota. The Class of 2027 Alabama cutoff is 2 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Alabama National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Alabama has ranged from 210 to 214. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.