Maryland National Merit Cutoff 2027: 221
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Maryland, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Maryland Class of 2027: a Selection Index of 221 or higher on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. The national Commended Student cutoff is 208. Maryland shares this cutoff with Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington.
Maryland National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Maryland cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 221 | -3 | +13 |
| Class of 2026 | 224 | +2 | +14 |
| Class of 2025 | 222 | +1 | +14 |
| Class of 2024 | 221 | -1 | +14 |
| Class of 2023 | 222 | — | +15 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between Maryland's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Maryland Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Download the official Maryland 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 Maryland?
Take your PSAT/NMSQT section scores and compute (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. If the result is 221 or higher and you took the test in October 2025 as a junior in Maryland, 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).
Maryland FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Maryland for the Class of 2027?
The Maryland Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 221, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -3 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 224.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in Maryland?
A Selection Index of 221 or higher for the Class of 2027. Selection Index is (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, so a 720 Reading & Writing with 770 Math, or a 700 Reading & Writing with 810 Math would reach 221.
Is 221 a hard cutoff in Maryland?
Meeting it is enough: a 221 qualified. Maryland ranks #3 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington. The Class of 2027 Maryland cutoff is 13 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Maryland National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Maryland has ranged from 221 to 224. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.