PSAT and National Merit in California: Scoring High(ish) Five for College Cash!
So you're a California teen, braver than a wave rider and sharper than a Hollywood producer's wit. You took the PSAT, hoping to snag that sweet, sweet National Merit Scholarship loot. But here's the thing, dude (or dudette), the cut score to become a National Merit Semifinalist is about as mysterious as a Kardashian's new hair color. But fear not, fellow scholar-in-the-making, for we shall delve into the thrilling (okay, maybe slightly less thrilling) world of PSAT scores and National Merit in the Golden State!
National Merit: Not Your Average Trophy
Forget the plastic participation trophies - National Merit is the real deal. It's basically a giant gold star stuck on your college application, screaming "This brainiac is scholarship material!" Not only does it look impressive, but it can also lead to some serious cash flow to finance those dorm room essentials (Ramen noodles not included).
California Dreamin' of a Score
Alright, alright, enough with the metaphors. Let's get down to brass tacks. The PSAT score needed for National Merit in California is a magical little number called the Selection Index. It's calculated by adding your Math and Reading/Writing scores together, multiplying by two, and then dividing by ten. So, if your Math score is a boss 720 and Reading/Writing is a solid 680, your Selection Index would be a cool 280 (woot!).
Here's the Catch (There's Always a Catch)
The bummer is, the exact Selection Index cutoff score for California changes every year. It all depends on how well your fellow California test-takers did. In 2023 (because hey, time travel is awesome!), the estimated cutoff for National Merit Semifinalist in California was a whopping 221. That means your Selection Index score had to be AT LEAST 221 to be in the running.
Disappointed? Don't Be a Beach Bum Just Yet!
Even if you didn't snag Semifinalist status this year, there's always next year! Plus, a high PSAT score is awesome for other reasons. It's a great practice run for the SAT and shows colleges you're college material. So keep on crushin' those practice tests, and who knows, you might be chilling on a beach with scholarship money next year!
Bonus Tip: National Merit releases the official cutoffs in September. So, if you took the PSAT in October or January of 2023, keep an eye out around September to see if you made the cut!
