Ohio National Merit Cutoff 2027: 216
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Ohio, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Ohio Class of 2027: a Selection Index of 216 or higher on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. The national Commended Student cutoff is 208. Ohio shares this cutoff with Florida, Michigan and Oregon.
Ohio National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Ohio cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 216 | -3 | +8 |
| 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 Ohio's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Ohio Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Newspaper list: Cleveland.com (full list).
See Semifinalist lists for every state.
Am I a National Merit Semifinalist in Ohio?
Take your PSAT/NMSQT section scores and compute (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. If the result is 216 or higher and you took the test in October 2025 as a junior in Ohio, 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).
Ohio FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Ohio for the Class of 2027?
The Ohio Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 216, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -3 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 219.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in Ohio?
A Selection Index of 216 or higher for the Class of 2027. Selection Index is (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, so a 720 Reading & Writing with 720 Math, or a 700 Reading & Writing with 760 Math would reach 216.
Is 216 a hard cutoff in Ohio?
Meeting it is enough: a 216 qualified. Ohio ranks #18 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Florida, Michigan and Oregon. The Class of 2027 Ohio cutoff is 8 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Ohio National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Ohio has ranged from 216 to 219. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.