What Is a Good PSAT Score?
The average PSAT/NMSQT total is about 950 (juniors average ~998). A 1200 beats ~83% of juniors; National Merit recognition starts around a 210 Selection Index (class of 2026 Commended cutoff).
A good PSAT score is above the ~950 average; 1200+ is top ~17% of juniors and 1400+ approaches National Merit range.
- Average total (all takers)~950
- Junior average~998
- Top 10% (juniors)~1200
- Commended cutoff (class of 2026)SI 210
- Semifinalist cutoffs by state210–225
Source: College Board PSAT/NMSQT percentiles; National Merit cutoffs via Compass Prep.
PSAT percentiles (11th grade)
| Score | Percentile (grade-11 takers) |
|---|---|
| 1,520 | 99+ |
| 1,480 | 99+ |
| 1,440 | 99 |
| 1,400 | 97 |
| 1,360 | 95 |
| 1,320 | 93 |
| 1,280 | 91 |
| 1,240 | 87 |
| 1,200 | 83 |
| 1,160 | 78 |
| 1,120 | 73 |
| 1,080 | 67 |
| 1,040 | 61 |
| 1,000 | 54 |
| 960 | 47 |
| 920 | 40 |
| 880 | 33 |
| 840 | 26 |
| 800 | 20 |
| 760 | 14 |
| 720 | 9 |
| 680 | 6 |
| 600 | 3 |
National Merit: the number that actually matters
National Merit uses the Selection Index — (2 × Reading/Writing + Math) ÷ 10, max 228 — not the total score. For the class of 2026, Commended required SI 210; Semifinalist cutoffs ranged 210–225 depending on state. Roughly 17,000 of ~1.4 million entrants make Semifinalist.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good PSAT score for a junior?
Above ~998 beats the average junior; 1200+ is about the top 10% and 1400+ starts to matter for National Merit.
What PSAT score qualifies for National Merit?
It's based on the Selection Index ((2 × Reading/Writing + Math) ÷ 10, max 228). Class-of-2026 cutoffs: 210 for Commended; 210–225 for Semifinalist depending on your state.
Do colleges see PSAT scores?
No — the PSAT is practice plus the National Merit qualifier. Colleges never receive it; treat it as a diagnostic for the SAT.
What's the average PSAT score?
About 950 across roughly 3.1 million PSAT/NMSQT takers in 2024-25; grade-10 takers average ~911 and grade-11 takers ~998.
Sources & methodology
Sources: College Board — Understanding PSAT/NMSQT Scores · Compass Prep — National Merit cutoffs.
Percentiles are College Board grade-11 user norms. National Merit cutoffs are compiled by Compass Prep from NMSC notifications (NMSC publishes no official table).