PSAT Guide for 2026/2027

September 14, 2026•9 min read

What's Up with the PSAT? (Class of 2027 Edition)

What is the PSAT, really? And why is it so confusing?

There are two different ways to think about the PSAT, and the confusion usually happens when they get blurred together. One way is to view the PSAT as part of a suite of College Board assessments designed to help students prepare for college (not just the SAT). The other is to view the PSAT as the gateway to the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Perspective 1: The PSAT as a Readiness Benchmark

This way to think about the PSAT is how most students will end up using it, as a checkpoint on the road to the SAT.

The Score Scale Perspective

College Board uses a consistent score scale structure across the entire SAT Suite of Assessments. Each test reports section scores on the same vertical scale, but each test also has its own ceiling, which aligns to grade-level expectations.

Ranges for Total Scores

SAT: 400–1600
PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10: 320–1520
PSAT 8/9: 240–1440

Ranges for Section Scores (Reading and Writing, Math)

SAT: 200–800
PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10: 160–760
PSAT 8/9: 120–720

The key idea is that a score of, say, 500 in Reading and Writing means the same thing in terms of skill level whether it's from the PSAT 8/9 or the SAT. Essentially, if a student achieves a 500 on the PSAT 8/9, that student is likely to get a 500 on the SAT. It establishes a snapshot of current ability, but leaves room for growth to be demonstrated later.

That 80-point step between each test reflects College Board's estimate of what a few more months (or years) of high school instruction are worth in terms of score improvement, in theory.

The Benchmark range is meant to predict whether a student is on track to be able to earn a C in a respective college course.

Of course, if a student is earning a perfect or near perfect score on a PSAT test, that doesn't really help predict the SAT score. I tell my clients to consider their children as "off the charts" (in this perspective... I promise the NMSQT perspective is coming!).

To learn more about the PSATs as a benchmark, you can check out this article.

Perspective 2: The PSAT as National Merit Qualifying Test

Now let's look at the PSAT through the National Merit lens. This part only applies to students who take the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade — the "NMSQT" literally stands for "National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test." That's the only PSAT test that counts for the scholarship program.

To be eligible for National Merit, students must:

Take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of their 11th-grade year
Be enrolled in high school with plans to graduate and enter college full-time after high school
Meet citizenship requirements set by NMSC

Understanding the Selection Index

National Merit does not rank students on the regular PSAT total score. It uses a different metric called the Selection Index to determine Semifinalists.

The Selection Index is calculated using this formula:

(Reading and Writing score × 2 + Math score) ÷ 10 = Selection Index

Note! Reading and Writing counts twice as much as Math.

Example: A student with a 700 in Reading and Writing and a 700 in Math would get:
(700 × 2 + 700) ÷ 10 = 210

Another student with a 720 in Reading and Writing and 680 in Math would get:
(720 × 2 + 680) ÷ 10 = 210

This is how two students with the same PSAT total score can have different Selection Indexes.

Class of 2027 National Merit Cutoffs by State

Cutoffs vary by state because National Merit allocates Semifinalist slots (roughly 16,000 nationally) proportionally to each state based on its share of high school graduates. This means a higher score might qualify in one state and fall short in another.

These are the Class of 2027 cutoffs compiled from publicly available sources and student reporting:

Note: These cutoffs are compiled from publicly available sources and student reporting. Numbers could vary. Check with your school's counselor for official confirmation of your state's cutoff.

Why Did Cutoffs Drop This Year?

You may have heard that states saw a decline. This is not because students' abilities dropped since last year. Based on discussing questions with students, I believe it's because the test was just that much harder. Remember, National Merit allocates the same number of Semifinalist slots every year (roughly 16,000). Unfortunately, it's not that more students qualified, it's just that the top 16,000 students scored a bit less.

The bottom line: same top percentage qualifying, lower numbers reflecting the adjusted scale.

How Students Qualify as Semifinalists

The road to qualifying as a Semifinalist works like this: Students are filtered through multiple designations—high scorers, Commended Students, Semifinalists, and eventually Finalists. To qualify as a Semifinalist, a student needs to earn one of the roughly 16,000 available spots. These are distributed among states based on the size of each state's graduating class. Within each state, students are then ranked by Selection Index, and the top scorers fill the available slots.

There's a common misconception that it's easier to earn Semifinalist status in states with lower cutoff scores. But since those states also tend to have fewer allotted spots, that's not necessarily true. When I'm preparing a student for National Merit (and my students come from all over the country), I don't try to game the system based on state cutoffs. I have them focus on giving their best effort. Instead of asking, "How many can I miss?" we're working on getting as many questions right as possible.

What if a student can't take the PSAT?

If a student is unable to take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of their junior year due to an unavoidable conflict — such as illness, a school-related event, they attend a school that didn't offer it or are homeschooled, or a testing accommodation issue — they may still be able to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students (or their school counselor) must contact NMSC after the missed test date to request alternate entry. This must be done after the October PSAT test date and before April 1st for that testing cycle. If NMSC approves the request, the student will be allowed to submit an official SAT score instead. Importantly, the ACT is not accepted as a substitute.

I called NMSC directly and asked if having a higher SAT score than PSAT score counts as a valid reason for alternate entry. The answer: no. If the PSAT was available at the student's high school, NMSC expects them to take it unless they have a documented, valid reason.

How I Prepare My National Merit Students

If your student is a National Merit aspirant, the best time to begin preparing is the summer before junior year. National Merit aspirants should seek out prep programs designed with that timeline and goal in mind. Most SAT programs focus on timing strategies, guessing techniques, or clever test-taking tricks. These can be helpful—but they're not enough to earn a top 1% score. Deep conceptual understanding and high-level skill are essential to get the hardest questions right.

Practically speaking, the NMSQT is not easier than the SAT. The most difficult PSAT questions are just as challenging as the toughest SAT ones, and both tests can be used to prepare for the other.

I prepare my National Merit students the same way I prepare my SAT students aiming for a 1500+.

What my students ARE taught:

Concepts are learned conceptually, not memorized
Students learn to use the constraints of the test to their advantage
Students train to finish the exam

What my students are NOT taught:

Practice a guessing strategy
Tips and Tricks
Drill and memorize if they don't understand

While SAT Prep is PSAT prep and visa versa, National Merit students are aiming to be the top in their state.

Ampersand Prep's Cognitive Agency Approach expands and focuses for the PSAT.
To learn how the Cognitive Agency Approach works, you can check out this video.

Complete set of lessons (both in video lessons and workbook lessons)
Proctored Exams
One on One tutoring
Group Classes

Bonus: All my PSAT students automatically qualify for SAT and ACT support when the time comes and their PSAT prep prepares them for the SAT and ACT.

To see if the Cognitive Agency Approach is right for you, click here to set up a strategy session. This isn't a sales call—it's a conversation about whether you're a fit for this program.

This intensive expects a strong starting foundation and the willingness to work. Bring your PSAT/SAT scores, GPA, or AP grades if you have them. No test scores yet? I can send an assessment (there are better options than burning a Bluebook practice test). But scores and grades won't matter if you don't have the drive.

Even if you don't end up working with me, at the strategy session you will get:

Assistance in determining if the SAT or ACT is right for you
A realistic but ambitious goal score
Free resources
Recommended paid resources
A study road map

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the PSAT with an eye toward National Merit or a high SAT score is no small feat, and it shows real initiative. Whether you're a student or a parent supporting one, your ambition is already a powerful asset.

Wishing you clarity, confidence, and steady progress ahead.

Lydia Terry

Lydia Terry is the author and designer of the unique "Cognitive Agency Approach" to SAT & ACT test prep!

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