Why is National Merit on a State by State Basis?

Paying for College
1

<p>I don't understand why you must be in the top 1% of your state to be qualified as a National Merit Semi- Finalist. I mean it is called the "National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test" so shouldn't it be on a national basis? </p>

<p>I scored a 216 in Texas, so that's on the fine line whether or not I'll get it. </p>

<p>That's definately not fair. If you score in the top 1% of the nation, the title, as well as the possible scholarships should be given. </p>

<p>Why is it that the NMSQT doesn't recognize the best in the nation, but the best in your state?</p>

<p>It should be renamed the SMSQT.</p>

2

<p>State cut-off are there to give equal representation to all state and equalize the state by state educational defficiencies.</p>

<p>If there was no cut-off, your 216 will not make you a semi-finalist at the national level either.</p>

3

<p>If it was determined nationally, there's no way that anyone in, say, Mississippi, would qualify.</p>

4

<p>Ditto--Compare South Carolina's average SAT or PSAT scores with those of the New England states.</p>