Arkansas National Merit Cutoff 2027: 210
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Arkansas, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Arkansas 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. Arkansas shares this cutoff with Alabama, Iowa, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Arkansas National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Arkansas cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 210 | -5 | +2 |
| Class of 2026 | 215 | +2 | +5 |
| Class of 2025 | 213 | +3 | +5 |
| Class of 2024 | 210 | 0 | +3 |
| Class of 2023 | 210 | — | +3 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between Arkansas's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Arkansas Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Download the official Arkansas Class of 2027 Semifinalist list (PDF) — NMSC press release listing every Semifinalist by city and high school.
See Semifinalist lists for every state.
Am I a National Merit Semifinalist in Arkansas?
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 Arkansas, 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).
Arkansas FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Arkansas for the Class of 2027?
The Arkansas Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 210, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -5 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 215.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in Arkansas?
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 Arkansas?
Meeting it is enough: a 210 qualified. Arkansas ranks #40 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Alabama, Iowa, Oklahoma and South Dakota. The Class of 2027 Arkansas cutoff is 2 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Arkansas National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Arkansas has ranged from 210 to 215. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.