Minnesota National Merit Cutoff 2027: 214
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Minnesota, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Minnesota Class of 2027: a Selection Index of 214 or higher on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. The national Commended Student cutoff is 208. Minnesota shares this cutoff with Maine, Missouri and Tennessee.
Minnesota National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Minnesota cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 214 | -5 | +6 |
| Class of 2026 | 219 | +2 | +9 |
| Class of 2025 | 217 | +1 | +9 |
| Class of 2024 | 216 | 0 | +9 |
| Class of 2023 | 216 | — | +9 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between Minnesota's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Minnesota Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Newspaper list: Patch (full list).
See Semifinalist lists for every state.
Am I a National Merit Semifinalist in Minnesota?
Take your PSAT/NMSQT section scores and compute (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. If the result is 214 or higher and you took the test in October 2025 as a junior in Minnesota, 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).
Minnesota FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Minnesota for the Class of 2027?
The Minnesota Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 214, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -5 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 219.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in Minnesota?
A Selection Index of 214 or higher for the Class of 2027. Selection Index is (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, so a 720 Reading & Writing with 700 Math, or a 700 Reading & Writing with 740 Math would reach 214.
Is 214 a hard cutoff in Minnesota?
Meeting it is enough: a 214 qualified. Minnesota ranks #25 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Maine, Missouri and Tennessee. The Class of 2027 Minnesota cutoff is 6 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Minnesota National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Minnesota has ranged from 214 to 219. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.