Editing PSAT/NMSQT (section)

===Levels of recognition===
There are three levels of recognition: "Commended", Semi-Finalists, and Finalists. About 34,000 students, which is 3-4% of all PSAT takers, are "commended" and receive Letters of Commendation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-01-27|title=Understanding the National Merit Scholarship Program|url=https://www.sparkadmissions.com/blog/understanding-the-national-merit-scholarship-program/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Spark Admissions}}</ref>

The "commended" cut-off is determined at whichever score yields the 96th percentile nationally. It rose from 202 for the 2006 Program (2004 PSAT) to 203 for the 2007 Program (2005 PSAT).{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} It was 205 for the 2008 Program (2006 PSAT) and 209 for the 2009 Program (2007 PSAT).

Students are confirmed as semifinalists as seniors, one year after taking the PSAT. Afterward, students must complete an application to become finalists that includes grade point average, extracurricular activities, school recommendations, and awards and honors alongside a confirming SAT or [[ACT (test)|ACT]] score. Approximately 95% of semifinalists quality as finalists as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2024 |title=Guide to the National Merit® Scholarship Program |url=https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/guide_to_the_national_merit_scholarship_program.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912024504/https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/guide_to_the_national_merit_scholarship_program.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61&sessionid=c7615951-b828-4b3d-ad1a-e6c9380f3b24&cc=1 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024}}</ref>