NMSQT - a string of consonants that can mean a lot

The NMSQT stands for the National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test. Your NMSQT score identifies if you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Here is what you should know

• Qualifying scores differ by the state in that they represent the top 1% in each state. The average qualifying score is 218 and is a function of 2x the sum of your reading/writing-lang/math subscores. Scores are announced the September after the prior year's test.

Alabama	216
Alaska	213
Arizona	219
Arkansas	214
California	222
Colorado	220
Connecticut	221
Delaware	220
DC	223
Florida	219
Georgia	220
Hawaii	219
Idaho	215
Illinois	221
Iowa	215
Kansas	218
Kentucky	218
Louisiana	215
Maine	215
Maryland	222
Massachusetts	223
Michigan	219
Minnesota	219
Mississippi	214
Missouri	217
Montana	214
Nebraska	216
Nevada	218
New Hampshire	218
New Jersey	223
New Mexiso	213
New York	221
North Carolina	219
North Dakota	212
Ohio	218
Oklahoma	214
Oregon	220
Pennsylvania	220
Rhode Island	218
South Carolina	215
South Dakota	214
Tennessee	219
Texas	221
Utah	215
Vermont	216
Virginia	222
Washington	222
West Virginia	212
Wisconsin	216
Wyoming	212

• About 2/3 of qualifying students are commended, but they do not move onto the next stage of the competition.

• Students named finalists will complete an application, including an essay, and well as submit official SAT scores. The table below shows the timeline for Class of 2023 student selections

• Participating in the National Merit program offers numerous benefits. Reaching the status of a Commended Student or Semifinalist is a feather in a student's academic hat. The National Merit Scholarship is only one of many merit scholarships that students can win in the college application process, but it is among the most prestigious and opens the door to additional special scholarships.