Tennessee National Merit Cutoff 2027: 214
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Tennessee, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Tennessee 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. Tennessee shares this cutoff with Maine, Minnesota and Missouri.
Tennessee National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Tennessee cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 214 | -5 | +6 |
| Class of 2026 | 219 | +2 | +9 |
| Class of 2025 | 217 | 0 | +9 |
| Class of 2024 | 217 | +2 | +10 |
| Class of 2023 | 215 | — | +8 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between Tennessee's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Tennessee Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Download the official Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
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 Tennessee, 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).
Tennessee FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Tennessee for the Class of 2027?
The Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
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 Tennessee?
Meeting it is enough: a 214 qualified. Tennessee ranks #25 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Maine, Minnesota and Missouri. The Class of 2027 Tennessee cutoff is 6 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Tennessee National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Tennessee has ranged from 214 to 219. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.