California National Merit Cutoff 2027: 220
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for California, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
California Class of 2027: a Selection Index of 220 or higher on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. The national Commended Student cutoff is 208. California shares this cutoff with Connecticut and New York.
California National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | California cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 220 | -4 | +12 |
| Class of 2026 | 224 | +3 | +14 |
| Class of 2025 | 221 | 0 | +13 |
| Class of 2024 | 221 | +1 | +14 |
| Class of 2023 | 220 | — | +13 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between California's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
California Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Newspaper list: The Mercury News (full list, subscriber).
See Semifinalist lists for every state.
Am I a National Merit Semifinalist in California?
Take your PSAT/NMSQT section scores and compute (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. If the result is 220 or higher and you took the test in October 2025 as a junior in California, 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).
California FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for California for the Class of 2027?
The California Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 220, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -4 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 224.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in California?
A Selection Index of 220 or higher for the Class of 2027. Selection Index is (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, so a 720 Reading & Writing with 760 Math, or a 700 Reading & Writing with 800 Math would reach 220.
Is 220 a hard cutoff in California?
Meeting it is enough: a 220 qualified. California ranks #7 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Connecticut and New York. The Class of 2027 California cutoff is 12 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the California National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years California has ranged from 220 to 224. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.