Texas National Merit Cutoff 2027: 219
Class of 2027 Semifinalist cutoff for Texas, announced September 9, 2026, with five years of history and the official 2027 Semifinalist list.
Texas 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. Texas shares this cutoff with Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Texas National Merit Cutoff History (2023–2027)
| Year | Texas cutoff | Change | vs Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2027 | 219 | -3 | +11 |
| Class of 2026 | 222 | +3 | +12 |
| Class of 2025 | 219 | 0 | +11 |
| Class of 2024 | 219 | 0 | +12 |
| Class of 2023 | 219 | — | +12 |
Sources: NMSC announcements via Compass Education Group, McElroy Tutoring and r/psat. "vs Commended" is the gap between Texas's cutoff and that year's national Commended cutoff.
Texas Class of 2027 Semifinalist List
Download the official Texas 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 Texas?
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 Texas, 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).
Texas FAQ
What is the National Merit cutoff for Texas for the Class of 2027?
The Texas Semifinalist cutoff is a Selection Index of 219, announced by NMSC on September 9, 2026. That is -3 from the Class of 2026 cutoff of 222.
What PSAT score do you need for National Merit in Texas?
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 Texas?
Meeting it is enough: a 219 qualified. Texas ranks #10 of 51 (50 states plus DC) for the Class of 2027, tied with Delaware and Pennsylvania. The Class of 2027 Texas cutoff is 11 points above the national Commended cutoff of 208.
What will the Texas National Merit cutoff be for the Class of 2028?
NMSC announces it in September 2027. Over the last five years Texas has ranged from 219 to 222. Students taking the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT should aim for the top of that range to be safe.