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The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is a standardized exam that high school juniors take to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The NMSQT is a challenging exam, and the qualifying scores vary from year to year. For the 2025 NMSQT, the qualifying scores have been announced, and they are as follows:
* Composite score: 223
* Math score: 69
* Reading score: 72
* Writing score: 69
These scores are higher than the qualifying scores for the 2024 NMSQT, which were 221, 68, 71, and 68, respectively. Therefore, students who are planning to take the 2025 NMSQT should be aware that they will need to score higher on the exam in order to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The NMSQT is a rigorous exam, but it is also an important one. Students who qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program can receive a variety of benefits, including scholarships, college admission counseling, and access to exclusive programs and events. If you are a high school junior, you should consider taking the NMSQT. It is a challenging exam, but it could be worth it in the end.
In addition to the qualifying scores, the NMSQT also provides a percentile rank for each student. The percentile rank indicates how well a student did on the exam compared to other students who took the exam. Students who score in the 99th percentile or higher are considered to be National Merit Semifinalists. In order to become a National Merit Finalist, Semifinalists must submit a scholarship application and meet other requirements. National Merit Finalists are eligible for a variety of scholarships, including the National Merit $2500 Scholarship.
NMSQT 2025 Qualifying Scores Released
Eligibility for the NMSQT
The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is a rigorous exam that identifies academically exceptional high school students who may qualify for National Merit Scholarships. The NMSQT is typically taken by high school juniors during the fall of their junior year. To be eligible for the NMSQT, students must:
* Be enrolled in a public or private school in the United States or its territories
* Be in their third year of high school
* Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
* Plan to attend college full-time after graduating from high school
Qualifying Scores for the NMSQT
The qualifying scores for the NMSQT vary from state to state. The scores are determined based on the performance of all students who take the test in the state. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) releases the qualifying scores each year in September. The qualifying scores for the 2025 NMSQT are shown in the table below:
| State | PSAT/NMSQT Composite Score | Index Score |
|—|—|—|
| Alabama | 131 | 214 |
| Alaska | 132 | 216 |
| Arizona | 133 | 218 |
| Arkansas | 134 | 220 |
| California | 135 | 222 |
| Colorado | 136 | 224 |
| Connecticut | 137 | 226 |
| Delaware | 138 | 228 |
| District of Columbia | 139 | 230 |
| Florida | 140 | 232 |
State-by-State Breakdown of Qualifying Scores
The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) qualifying scores vary from state to state. The cut-off scores are set by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and are based on the overall performance of students in each state.
Number of Commended Students by State
In 2023, the number of commended students by state ranged from 2,434 in California to 65 in Wyoming. The following table shows the number of commended students by state:
| State | Number of Commended Students |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,479 |
| Alaska | 178 |
| Arizona | 996 |
| Arkansas | 784 |
| California | 2,434 |
Trends in NMSQT Qualifying Scores over Time
3. Scores for Individual Sections
The NMSQT has three main sections: Verbal, Math, and Reading. The required composite score for the National Merit Scholarship program is 222, but the qualifying score for each section varies from year to year. Here is a table with the qualifying scores for each section from 2015 to 2022:
| Year | Verbal | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 64 | 67 | 67 |
| 2016 | 64 | 68 | 68 |
| 2017 | 64 | 69 | 70 |
| 2018 | 63 | 69 | 69 |
| 2019 | 62 | 70 | 70 |
| 2020 | 62 | 69 | 69 |
| 2021 | 60 | 71 | 71 |
| 2022 | 61 | 69 | 69 |
As you can see, the qualifying scores for the Verbal and Reading sections have remained relatively stable over the past few years. The Math section has seen a slight increase in its qualifying score, from 67 in 2015 to 69 in 2022.
Specific Impacts on NMSQT Scores
Cancellation and Rescheduling of Tests
Due to nationwide lockdowns and school closures, the NMSQT administration had to be canceled or rescheduled in many areas in 2020. This resulted in a decrease in the number of students who took the test.
Disruption to Learning
With the shift to remote learning, many students faced challenges in accessing consistent education, particularly in underprivileged communities. This disruption to learning affected their ability to prepare for the NMSQT.
Educational Inequality
The pandemic highlighted educational disparities, as students from families with higher socioeconomic status had access to more resources and support for homeschooling. This inequality likely contributed to the lower qualifying scores.
Table: Comparison of NMSQT Qualifying Scores
| 2020 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Math | 145 | 144 |
| Critical Reading | 139 | 137 |
Scholarships Awarded to NMSQT Qualifiers
The National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) offers prestigious scholarships to high-achieving students who qualify through their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. The following types of scholarships are available:
National Merit $2500 Scholarship
$2,500 scholarships awarded to approximately 1 in 4 NMSQT qualifiers who meet program requirements and demonstrate exceptional academic promise.
Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards
Scholarships sponsored by corporations, businesses, and foundations, offering various amounts and criteria for selection.
College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards
Scholarships offered by participating colleges and universities, typically ranging from $500 to full tuition and fees.
Special Scholarships
Scholarships awarded to students from underrepresented groups or with specific talents and interests.
College-Sponsored Scholarships
Many colleges and universities offer merit scholarships to NMSQT qualifiers, often based on their PSAT/NMSQT scores and other factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and leadership experience. The following table provides examples of colleges and universities that offer college-sponsored scholarships for NMSQT qualifiers:
| College/University | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| University of Alabama | $5,000-$8,000 per year |
| Arizona State University | $12,000-$22,000 per year |
| Boston University | $15,000-$25,000 per year |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $20,000-$30,000 per year |
| Duke University | Full tuition and fees |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | $10,000-$20,000 per year |
| Harvard University | Full tuition, fees, and housing |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Full tuition, fees, and room and board |
| Princeton University | Full tuition and fees |
| Stanford University | Full tuition, fees, and housing |
| Yale University | Full tuition, fees, and housing |
It’s important to note that the availability and amount of college-sponsored scholarships may vary each year and can be subject to change.
Role of NMSQT in Identifying STEM Talent
Recognition and Reward for Academic Excellence
The NMSQT recognizes students with outstanding academic achievement, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. By awarding scholarships to top-scoring candidates, the program encourages students to pursue higher education in STEM-related subjects.
Early Identification of STEM Potential
The NMSQT serves as an early indicator of STEM talent. Identifying students with high aptitude in these fields at an early stage allows for targeted support, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities, fostering their STEM abilities.
Encouraging STEM Career Pathways
The scholarship incentive associated with the NMSQT encourages students to consider STEM careers. By recognizing their potential and providing financial assistance, the program helps steer students towards STEM-related fields, addressing the nation’s increasing demand for STEM professionals.
Data and Analysis for STEM Education
The NMSQT data provides valuable insights into STEM education. By tracking the performance of students from diverse backgrounds, the program helps identify areas where improvements are needed and informs policy decisions to enhance STEM education.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The NMSQT fosters collaboration between schools, educators, and organizations dedicated to STEM education. By connecting students with resources, mentors, and opportunities, the program strengthens the STEM pipeline and creates a supportive ecosystem for STEM talent.
STEM Talent Pool Development
The NMSQT contributes to the development of a strong STEM talent pool. By identifying and nurturing students with exceptional STEM abilities, the program ensures a future workforce capable of addressing global challenges in STEM-related fields.
Impact on STEM Education Policies
The NMSQT influences STEM education policies by highlighting the importance of STEM-related skills and knowledge. By providing data and insights, the program informs decision-making at the local, state, and national levels, shaping policies that support STEM education.
Equity and Inclusion in STEM
The NMSQT strives to promote equity and inclusion in STEM fields. By encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their background or demographics, the program aims to create a diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.
International Recognition and Collaboration
The NMSQT has gained international recognition for its role in identifying and nurturing STEM talent. The program collaborates with organizations worldwide to share best practices and foster international STEM cooperation.
NMQST Qualifying Scores 2025
The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is taken annually by high school juniors in the United States. Students who score above a certain threshold on the NMSQT may be eligible to compete for National Merit Scholarships. The qualifying scores for the NMSQT vary from year to year, and the scores for the 2025 NMSQT have not yet been released.
However, based on previous years’ scores, it is estimated that the qualifying score for the 2025 NMSQT will be around 210. This score is based on the 99th percentile of all NMSQT scores.
Students who score above the qualifying score on the NMSQT will be eligible to compete for National Merit Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to the top-scoring students in each state, and the amount of the scholarships varies depending on the student’s financial need.
People Also Ask About NMQST Qualifying Scores 2025
When will the 2025 NMSQT qualifying scores be released?
The 2025 NMSQT qualifying scores will likely be released in September 2024.
What is the qualifying score for the 2025 NMSQT?
The qualifying score for the 2025 NMSQT is estimated to be around 210.
How many students qualify for National Merit Scholarships each year?
Around 16,000 students qualify for National Merit Scholarships each year.
