Where can I find free PSAT prep?
Start with College Board’s Bluebook practice resources. Use official PSAT/NMSQT practice to get familiar with the digital test, then review your answers and choose a skill to work on next.
Included free in Hourly Prep: 300 practice questions and 3 full-length practice tests using fixed forms. No Premium subscription or rewarded-ad unlocks are required for PSAT practice. Hourly Prep is preparing for launch; you can use the official resources above now.
For shorter study sessions, try our daily study routine: choose one skill, practice, and review a mistake before moving on.
How much are National Merit scholarships worth?
The Fall 2026 PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide lists these award amounts. Each category has its own selection and sponsor requirements.
| Award category | Amount and payment term |
|---|---|
| National Merit $2500 Scholarship | $2,500 once. |
| Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship | $2,500–$10,000 once, or $1,000–$10,000 per year for a renewable award, depending on the sponsor. |
| College-sponsored Merit Scholarship through NMSC | $500–$2,000 per year, renewable for up to four years at the sponsoring college. |
These are separate award categories. NMSC limits each student to one monetary award from NMSC, so do not add the ranges together. Any separate institutional aid must be checked with that college.
How is the National Merit Selection Index calculated?
The PSAT/NMSQT total score ranges from 320 to 1520. The separate NMSC Selection Index ranges from 48 to 228. Its formula is:
(2 × Reading and Writing section score + Math section score) ÷ 10
For example, Reading and Writing 700 and Math 650 gives 205: (2 × 700 + 650) ÷ 10. Reversing those section scores gives 200, even though both totals are 1350. Reading and Writing therefore has more weight in the Selection Index.
Use the Selection Index on your official score report when checking National Merit qualification.
What PSAT score qualifies for National Merit in my state?
Semifinalist qualifying scores vary by state and year. Use the correct competition year and selection unit when comparing scores. A national Commended Student threshold is a different recognition standard from a state’s Semifinalist threshold.
Open NMSC’s official historical qualifying-score table for the 2027 program, based on the October 2025 PSAT/NMSQT. Historical scores can provide context; they do not establish a future cutoff.
Students taking the PSAT/NMSQT in fall 2026 enter the 2028 competition, if eligible. As of September 30, 2026, those Semifinalist thresholds have not been announced. NMSC’s timeline places Semifinalist recognition in September 2027.
Does a high PSAT score guarantee a scholarship?
No. Check the program’s entry requirements and keep track of the application steps. Semifinalists must meet further requirements to become Finalists, and scholarship winners are selected afterward. Prep can help you practice; an app or practice score cannot promise an award.
Common PSAT and National Merit questions
Do the PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9 qualify for National Merit?
No. The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test. NMSC does not consider PSAT 10 or PSAT 8/9 scores for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Is there one National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for every state?
No. Semifinalist qualifying Selection Index scores vary by state and competition year. Check the official NMSC guidance for your year and selection unit.
Does a qualifying PSAT score guarantee a scholarship?
No. A qualifying score is part of the selection process. Eligibility, advancement to Finalist standing, and scholarship selection are separate steps.
What free PSAT prep is included in Hourly Prep?
Hourly Prep is preparing for launch. Free PSAT prep is included: 300 practice questions and 3 full-length practice tests using fixed forms, without a Premium subscription or rewarded-ad unlocks.