[ex-snook]

Cut-off scores vary by State. It's tougher in some States than others.

2010 National Merit Scholarship Competition
If you took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2008 of your junior year and you
received a very high score, you may be entered in  the 2010 competition for
National Merit Scholarships. In September, 2009, 34,000 commended
students will receive Letters of Commendation. These students will not
continue in the competition.
In September 2009, 16,000 high scorers will qualify as semifinalists.
In February, 2010, semifinalists who meet academic and other
requirements will advance to Finalist standing.
In March 2010, winners of special scholarships will be notified.

[Ready4Freddy]

Do they still enforce the citizenship requirement?

Isn't that racist?

[Leo Farnsworth]

Thanks. It makes sense now.

I understand.

[exhaustguy]

What you have are large suburban/urban (high income areas) with a concentration of the best education and prep work. National Merit scores are a reflection of concentration at the top. Another factor is the number of mediocre students you can get to take the test. The more mediocre students - the lower the cut score for 99 percentile is.

I wonder if it makes sense to relocate to Arkansas your Junior year?