Before they can be considered for Merit Scholarship awards, Semifinalists must qualify as Finalists by completing the National Merit Scholarship Application using NMSC’s Online Scholarship Application (OSA) and fulfilling several other requirements. (See Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists, which is posted online in the “Competition Instructions” section of the OSA or at www , The PSAT/NMSQT® is the screening test for high school students who wish to participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program. If you have questions about any aspect of the National Merit Scholarship Program, including student participation requirements, the selection process, and awards ofered, see the NMSC section of this publication., Learn how to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program! Step-by-step application tips, benefits, and FAQs for students, parents, and counselors., The National Merit Scholarship: What It Is and How to Win What is the National Merit Scholarship and how do you qualify for it? Short answer: It depends on your PSAT score. But there's a lot more to it than that!, Explore National Merit Scholarship requirements: GPA, PSAT/NMSQT scores, and application details. Elevate your academic journey with our comprehensive guide., The 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) is the qualifying test for entry to the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. The exact PSAT/NMSQT score for National Merit consideration varies from year to year and by state, but it’s always the top 1 of students (about 16,000 juniors). The NMSC uses PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores as an initial screen .