New York National Merit Cutoff 2027: 220
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for New York, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
New York 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. New York shares this cutoff with California and Connecticut.
New York National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | New York cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 220 | -3 | +12 |
| Class of 2026 | 223 | +3 | +13 |
| Class of 2025 | 220 | 0 | +12 |
| Class of 2024 | 220 | +1 | +13 |
| Class of 2023 | 219 | — | +12 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between New York's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
New York Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Newspaper list: Huntington Now (partial, Long Island only).
See Semifinalist lists for every state.
Am I a National Merit Semifinalist in New York?
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 New York, 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).
New York FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for New York for the Class of 2027?
The New York Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 220, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -3 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 223.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in New York?
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 New York?
Meeting it is enough: a 220 qualified. New York ranks #7 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with California and Connecticut. The Class of 2027 New York cutoff is 12 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the New York National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years New York has ranged from 219 to 223. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.