SAT Score
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. The SAT assesses a student’s readiness for college by testing skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.
SAT Scoring Breakdown:
The SAT is scored out of a maximum total score of 1600, which is a combination of two main sections:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): Scored from 200 to 800.
Reading Section: 65 minutes, 52 questions (reading comprehension from passages).
Writing and Language Section: 35 minutes, 44 questions (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure).
Mathematics: Scored from 200 to 800.
The Math section is divided into two parts:
No Calculator: 25 minutes, 20 questions.
Calculator: 55 minutes, 38 questions.
Essay (Optional): The Essay is scored separately (if taken) on a scale of 6 to 24, based on three criteria: Reading, Analysis, and Writing. The essay was discontinued in 2021 for most test-takers.
Scoring Overview:
Total Score: The total score is the sum of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section score and the Math section score, resulting in a combined score between 400 and 1600.
EBRW: 200 to 800
Math: 200 to 800
Total: 400 to 1600
Essay (if taken): Scores from 2-8 on each of the three criteria (Reading, Analysis, and Writing).
SAT Scoring Scale for Each Section:
1. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW):
Reading: This section measures your ability to analyze and comprehend texts from a variety of genres.
Writing and Language: Tests grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure in context.
2. Math:
Tests your skills in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability.
SAT Score Ranges:
1400–1600: Excellent (competitive for top colleges and universities).
1200–1399: Good (competitive for many colleges).
1000–1199: Average (acceptable for a range of colleges).
Below 1000: Below average (may limit your college options).
SAT Score Percentiles:
Your SAT score is also compared to other test-takers using percentiles. The percentile shows how your score compares to others who took the test. For example:
1600 (perfect score) is in the 99th percentile.
1200 might be in the 75th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 75% of test-takers.
How is the SAT Scored?
Raw Score: This is the number of correct answers you have for each section. There are no penalties for incorrect answers, so it’s a good idea to attempt every question.
Scaled Score: Your raw score is converted into a scaled score (200-800 for each section). This scaling adjusts for the difficulty of each test.
Total Score: The scaled scores from the two sections (EBRW and Math) are added together to give your total score out of 1600.
SAT Score Reporting:
You can send your SAT scores to up to four colleges for free when you register for the test. After that, there is a fee for each additional score report.
Many colleges offer Score Choice, where you can choose which scores to send, allowing you to send only your best scores.
SAT Score Interpretation:
Higher Scores: A higher score increases your chances of getting into more competitive schools, receiving scholarships, and being admitted to programs with higher academic expectations.
Lower Scores: While lower scores don’t disqualify you, some colleges may have minimum score requirements or look at your application holistically (e.g., GPA, extracurriculars).
SAT Score Improvement:
If you’re looking to improve your SAT score, focusing on areas where you struggled in previous test attempts, practicing with sample questions, and taking full-length practice tests are great strategies.