North Carolina National Merit Cutoff 2027: 217
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for North Carolina, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
North Carolina Class of 2027: a Selection Index of 217 or higher on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. The national Commended Student cutoff is 208. North Carolina shares this cutoff with Colorado and Georgia.
North Carolina National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | North Carolina cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 217 | -3 | +9 |
| Class of 2026 | 220 | +2 | +10 |
| Class of 2025 | 218 | +1 | +10 |
| Class of 2024 | 217 | 0 | +10 |
| Class of 2023 | 217 | — | +10 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between North Carolina's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
North Carolina Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
No public North Carolina list has surfaced yet. NMSC mails the list to North Carolina news outlets and to high school principals; check with your school counselor. We will post it here when it is published.
See Semifinalist lists for every state.
Am I a National Merit Semifinalist in North Carolina?
Take your PSAT/NMSQT section scores and compute (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. If the result is 217 or higher and you took the test in October 2025 as a junior in North Carolina, 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).
North Carolina FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for North Carolina for the Class of 2027?
The North Carolina Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 217, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -3 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 220.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in North Carolina?
A Selection Index of 217 or higher for the Class of 2027. Selection Index is (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, so a 720 Reading & Writing with 730 Math, or a 700 Reading & Writing with 770 Math would reach 217.
Is 217 a hard cutoff in North Carolina?
Meeting it is enough: a 217 qualified. North Carolina ranks #15 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Colorado and Georgia. The Class of 2027 North Carolina cutoff is 9 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the North Carolina National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years North Carolina has ranged from 217 to 220. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.