Will a 196 PSAT be NM Commended?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm a junior, and I took the NMSQT PSAT this past October. I scored a 196--95th percentile where I live (Michigan). I heard 95th percentile is the cutoff to be Commended, so do you think this would do it? Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Probably not. The cutoff has been 201 the last two years.</p>

<p>[National</a> Merit Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html]National”>http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html)</p>

3

<p>Darn it! :'(</p>

4

<p>Yeah, cutoff is different for every state.
Maryland is 223 -.-</p>

5

<p>Not Commended…that’s probably semifinalist/finalist…</p>

6

<p>I think you may still be commended. It really depends on the state. My nephew was NMF with a 208 in Ohio. My S was a NMF in VA with a 228. There’s a pretty big range, so not sure you won’t be commended at least. I dont’ see the scores for commended in that link (just semifinalists), but maybe I missed them somehow?</p>

7

<p>The cutoff for commended status is the same nationally. The cut off score for commended status has been in the 200-202 range over the last few years. Semifinalist status is then determined based on the cutoff score for the state in which you reside - this cutoff varies quite a bit state by state.</p>

8

<p>This link explains the cutoffs:</p>

<p>[National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation - NMSP](<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#commended]National”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#commended)</p>

<p>“Commended Students are named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score that may vary from year to year and is below the level required for participants to be named Semifinalists in their respective states.”</p>

9

<p>And why would one care if they were commended? Is there any financial grant/scholarships for commended students?</p>

10

<p>Bragging rights.</p>

11

<p>NM commended still looks good on your college apps (listed under Awards and it’s at national level). Also when you graduate from HS, it’s often listed next to your name in Commencement program.</p>

12

<p>So 196 won’t be? :(</p>