Pennsylvania National Merit Cutoff 2027: 219
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Pennsylvania, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Pennsylvania Class of 2027: a Selection Index of 219 or higher on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. The national Commended Student cutoff is 208. Pennsylvania shares this cutoff with Delaware and Texas.
Pennsylvania National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Pennsylvania cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 219 | -2 | +11 |
| Class of 2026 | 221 | +2 | +11 |
| Class of 2025 | 219 | 0 | +11 |
| Class of 2024 | 219 | +1 | +12 |
| Class of 2023 | 218 | — | +11 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between Pennsylvania's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Pennsylvania Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Download the official Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Take your PSAT/NMSQT section scores and compute (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10. If the result is 219 or higher and you took the test in October 2025 as a junior in Pennsylvania, 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).
Pennsylvania FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Pennsylvania for the Class of 2027?
The Pennsylvania Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 219, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -2 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 221.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in Pennsylvania?
A Selection Index of 219 or higher for the Class of 2027. Selection Index is (Reading & Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10, so a 720 Reading & Writing with 750 Math, or a 700 Reading & Writing with 790 Math would reach 219.
Is 219 a hard cutoff in Pennsylvania?
Meeting it is enough: a 219 qualified. Pennsylvania ranks #10 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Delaware and Texas. The Class of 2027 Pennsylvania cutoff is 11 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Pennsylvania National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Pennsylvania has ranged from 218 to 221. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.