Each year, High School Juniors around the nation take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (more commonly known as the PSAT/NMSQT) to hedge their chances at massive scholarships to top schools and national recognition. Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) names high-scoring PSAT/NMSQT students National Merit Semifinalists based on their Selection Index. For the Ohio Class of 2026, the minimum index to qualify as a Semifinalist was 219. The Selection Index varies by state and is based on each state’s share of the nation’s total graduating high school seniors.
Last year, 36,954 Ohio Juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT among 1,925,016 nationwide test-takers. Of those, just 1% of students nationwide earned a score between 1400-1520 (the maximum for the PSAT/NMSQT). An even smaller number of students qualify to be a National Merit semifinalist, only around 16,000 for this year’s nationwide senior class. Semifinalist students then compete for their share of various scholarships offered by NMSC’s sponsors, which are comprised of many corporations and colleges, and one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships.
This year, Mentor High School is proud to highlight two students who have qualified for the semi-finals:
Semifinalists
Talking to the Semifinalists
Cardinal Nation was lucky to speak with both semifinalists about their experience and plans for the future.
Cardinal Nation: What does earning this distinction mean to you?
Faruki: To me, it feels like a lot of my hard work has paid off. It’s a step—albeit a small one, in the grand scheme of things—toward the future I aim for. It’ll also (hopefully) provide me with resources I can use to invest in my higher education.
Payne: Earning this distinction makes me feel like my efforts have been realized and appreciated. The award will help advance my future education plans and open new opportunities.
Cardinal Nation: How did you prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT?
Faruki: Khan Academy and Bluebook practice exams were pretty useful for me when preparing. Mrs. Bolles gave us mock Reading and Writing sections in AP Lang as well, which were really helpful for learning how that portion of the test works and getting a feel for the question types.
Payne: I took several practice tests to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT. These tests are the best study material because they are review materials straight from the College Board and are in the same format as the test.
Cardinal Nation: What advice do you have for underclassmen?
Faruki: My advice for tests like the PSAT/SAT would be to have confidence in yourself when you go into the test, especially if you’ve prepared or practiced. It’s really easy to get intimidated by standardized testing. More generally, I think it’s important to do what makes you happy during high school; don’t do something just because someone else says that it’s good for you.
Payne: I would advise underclassmen to take as many official practice tests as possible. I would not waste time with tips and tricks books or Khan Academy, unless they are really struggling with a topic. I found that doing anything other than practice tests results in less progress at a slower pace.
Cardinal Nation: What are your plans after high school?
Faruki: I plan to attend college to study the intersection between engineering and medicine. I’ve been fond of biology, computer science, and math for as long as I can remember, and I want to use technology toward medical solutions.
Payne: I plan to further my education in the field of finance. My dream is to live in the bustle of New York City while working in investment banking.
Cardinal Nation: Do you have a favorite study snack or ritual when prepping for big exams?
Faruki: I jump up and down three times and spin in circles for an arbitrary amount of time. Then I normally make myself a cup of sugar-loaded coffee and dig into the material.
Payne: I like to dance and listen to music before and while studying. I drink a lot of water and constantly switch what I eat, ranging from leftovers to random snacks and fruits around the house.
