SAT Scoring Guide

When you take a test at school, the scoring is typically pretty straightforward. Usually it’s just expressed as a simple percentage of the questions you got right. But SAT scoring is a little more complicated. After all, nobody ever says “I got an A on the SAT!” or “I got a 95% on my SAT!”  Most students know that the maximum score you can get on the SAT is a 1600. But what is a good SAT score? What’s the lowest score you can get on the SAT? How do schools choose which score is considered for your application? Today, let’s demystify and explain the sometimes-confusing SAT scoring system. 

The Basics of SAT Scoring

The SAT is divided into two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, resulting in a total score range of 400 to 1600. Within these sections, there are subtests that contribute to your overall performance:

1. Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): This section includes a Reading Test and a Writing and Language Test. Both contribute to a combined score out of 800.
2. Math: This section is divided into two parts, one allowing the use of a calculator and one that does not. Together, these parts generate a single score out of 800.

Where Does The 1600 Come From?

There are 98 questions on the SAT– not exactly a number that multiplies evenly into 1600! But every SAT question carries equal weight, whether it’s a straightforward math problem or a nuanced reading comprehension question. For every correct answer, you earn one point. No penalties are applied for incorrect answers or skipped questions. This means guessing is in your favor if you’re unsure of an answer, since an educated guess might increase your score. And if you know the right test-taking strategies, you’ve got an even better chance. 

The total number of correct answers you accumulate on a section becomes your raw score. Each section’s raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 200 to 800. The conversion process accounts for slight variations between test versions, using a process called equating to adjust for differences in test difficulty. 

For example, if you take the SAT on a date when the math questions are slightly harder than average, equating ensures that your scaled score fairly reflects your abilities, rather than penalizing you for the test’s increased challenge. Because of this process, two students taking the SAT on different dates can achieve comparable scores even if the questions vary slightly in difficulty. It’s part of what keeps the test fair.  

What Is A Good SAT Score?

What makes up a “good” or “bad” SAT score depends on your goals and the colleges you plan to apply to. I know that sounds like a non-answer, but it really is variable! Researching the average scores of admitted students at your target schools is a helpful starting point to know what your goal should be. Competitive universities often look for scores in the 1400–1600 range, while less selective institutions may consider scores in the 1000–1200 range sufficient. 

What Does Percentile Mean?

If you score a 1500 on your SAT, that puts you in the 98th or 99th percentile of the SAT, depending on which of the two percentile metrics you use. But 1500 is about 94% – that’s lower than 98 or 99, so how does it correspond to a higher percentile? Percentiles are one of the most confusing parts of SAT scoring, so let’s take a look at what percentiles are generally, and how they’re used to describe SAT results. 

A percentile is a way of comparing your performance to that of other test-takers. For example, if your score is in the 98th percentile, it means you performed better than 98% of students who took the SAT. Percentiles don’t directly measure the percentage of questions you answered correctly or how close your score is to the maximum; instead, they show your standing relative to others. The SAT provides two different percentiles: Nationally Representative Sample Percentile and SAT User Percentile.

The Nationally Representative Sample Percentile (NRSP)  represents how your score compares to a hypothetical group of all U.S. students in your grade, including those who don’t take the SAT. It’s based on research and estimates what scores might look like if every eligible student in the country took the test. But because every eligible student doesn’t take the test, this percentile is hypothetical, and that is what accounts for the difference in where scores fall in each percentile.

The SAT User Percentile (SUP) uses data from test scores, not estimates and research. This percentile is calculated using data from actual SAT test-takers over the past three years. It shows how you compare specifically to others who have chosen to take the exam, making it a more precise reflection of your standing among college-bound students. Generally, this percentile skews a little lower than the NRSP; for example, a 1400 is in the 97th percentile for NRSP but the 93rd for the SUP.

Superscoring and Score Choice

Many colleges offer flexibility in how they evaluate your SAT results. One common policy is superscoring. Schools that superscore combine your highest section scores across multiple test dates to create a new composite score. For instance, if you excel in EBRW on one test date and Math on another, the school will consider the best scores from both. Not every school does this though– be sure to check out their SAT information page as you’re preparing!

Score choice is another common policy. This lets you decide which test dates to send to colleges. If you perform poorly on one attempt, you can choose not to submit that score. However, not every school allows this. Some universities, as well as many scholarship programs, require you to send all of your scores. You also can’t opt out for any of your free score sends, so choose carefully. 

Understanding Your Score Report

When you look at your SAT score report, you’ll see a lot more than just your score. You’ll also receive test scores, cross-test scores, and subscores. These don’t contribute to your overall SAT score. Instead, think of them as data points that help you and the schools you’re applying to understand your abilities. 

• The test scores are scaled scores between 10 and 40. You get two of these, one for EBRW and one for math. 
• The cross-test scores measure your ability to analyze science and social studies topics across the reading, writing, and math sections. These also range between 10 and 40.
• Subscores evaluate specific skills like command of evidence, words in context, and problem-solving in math, and these range from 1 to 15.

If you’re taking the SAT multiple times, it’s vital to pay attention to the whole score report, not just the biggest number. Using the bigger picture from the score report reveals both weaknesses and strengths, and helps you see the patterns in the areas you need to work on.

Preparing for a High SAT Score

As you can see, there’s a lot more to the SAT than just a score out of 1600! Understanding how scoring works and, more importantly, what the score numbers can tell you about your test-taking skills, is a crucial part of succeeding on the SAT. Remember, the SAT isn’t there to just test your general knowledge; it’s a way to show your problem-solving, logical thinking, and reasoning skills. Understanding this can make all the difference when it comes to college admissions– and that’s why you need Prep Expert. 

When you take an SAT prep class with us, you aren’t just practicing on your own. Our SAT instructors are all 99th percentile scorers who understand the ins and outs of the test. They know how to help you navigate the SAT and use the data from your practice tests and score reports to help you overcome your challenges and truly demonstrate your merit. Check out our SAT course offerings today and see how an SAT prep course can help you reach your goals!