<p>What percentage do u need to get to become commended? i think semi finalists need to have 99%?</p>
<p>95 percent i think.</p>
<p>its not 95 because I was 96 last year and I never got commended.</p>
<p>It's not based on percentile. You had to get a 202 for your selection index (or higher). This year, it may be a 203. National merit cutoffs vary from state to state but generally it's in the upper 210s. You have to be in the top 99.5%ile for your state and the required score is whatever will make you that.</p>