<p>Hey everybody, I'm from pennsylvania and I'm expecting a cutoff score around 217 or 218 here, but we'll see. I'm still a little unsure about how national merit semi finalists and finalists are chosen, so any explanation of this would be great. My own score breakdown was 77-69-80, for a combined 226. Is this good enough for a national merit scholarship finalist spot?</p>
<p>With a 226, it’s safe to say that you’re a NMSF in PA, or any other state for that matter. Congrats! Read the first post on this forum, titled “FAQ for the PSAT…”, and you’ll get a good understanding of how the National Merit process works.</p>
<p>Yeah you’ll definitely be fine XD</p>
<p>Hey, just saying, I got the exact same score as you, breakdown and everything! 
I’m hoping it’ll be enough for a National Merit Scholarship, too! I think it is above the cutoff, so you’ll most likely be included in the 16,000 national merit semifinalists, and then 15,000 of those people become finalists, I’m pretty sure, which happens as long as your grades and SAT match up (I think). Then out of that, I think about 8,000 get a scholarship (from them or a sponsor). Good luck!</p>
<p>Anyone have thoughts on a 216 in Pa.? Cutoffs over the last 4 to 5 years have usually been 214-215 although it was 216 one year (maybe 2010). I agree with Mobius it could jump up to 217 or 218 as a lot of Pa kids scored in the 75 to 80 range in all 3 subtest areas. And maybe some kids scored that high in only one area. Who knows? Hoping it’s 215 or 216 tops… It was either 214 or 215 last year.</p>