THE SAT SCORE

Are you planning to take the SAT soon? If so, you might be wondering what your SAT score means and how it is calculated. Understanding the scoring system can help you determine your strengths and weaknesses, set realistic goals, and prepare for the test more effectively. In this post, we will provide an overview of the SAT score and explain how it is calculated step by step. From the raw scores to the scaled scores, we’ll give you all the details you need to know to decode your SAT score. So, whether you are a high school student, a parent, or an educator, read on to learn everything you need to know about the SAT score.

SAT score Overview

The SAT (both paper and digital) is scored on a scale of 400-1600, with 200-800 points possible for each of the two main sections: Math and Reading and Writing. The scores for each section are based on the number of questions answered correctly, with no penalty for incorrect answers. This means that it is better to guess than to leave a question blank. The Math and Reading & Writing sections are each scored separately on a scale of 200-800. The raw score for each section is calculated by adding up the number of questions answered correctly in each of the modules of the section. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score using a conversion table that takes into account the difficulty of the questions on a particular test. To calculate your final SAT score, the scores from the Math and EBRW sections are added together.

Step 1: Getting Your Raw Scores

To obtain your raw score, the following is added:

Your total score from the Reading and Writing section
Your total score from the Math section

In both cases, remember that each question counts as one point for the calculation of the raw score. Here is a table with the structure of both sections of the SAT for you to understand better your potential maximum raw score.

Example: To be able to give a complete example we have used the resolution of a full-length Linear Digital SAT Practice Test. Here is the link to it in case you would like to take it. Remember it has a very similar structure to the digital SAT but is not exactly the kind of exam you will be taking on test date. The reason why we have used this example is because it has the only official Raw o Scale table published.

Your score is:

Reading and Writing: By adding both scores you obtained the Reading and Writing Raw Score ⇒ 27 + 24 = 51
- Module 1 = 27 out of 33
- Module 2 = 24 out of 33 (since you scored 27 in the Module 1 you were given the Upper Module 2)
Math: By adding both scores you obtained the Math Raw Score ⇒ 21 + 18 = 39
- Module 1 = 21 out of 27 (since you scored 21 in the Module 1 you were given the Upper Module 2)
- Module 2 = 18 out of 27

Step 2: From Raw to Scaled Score

Once you obtain the 2 Raw scores (Reading and Writing and Math), they must be converted into scaled scores. To do this, the Bluebook algorithm makes different adjustments and weighs the questions differently based on whether they are in Module 1 or 2 or if you solved Module 2 easier (Low) or more difficult (Upper).

There is still no precise information on the adjustment system, but we can give you some conclusions obtained from having (our team and students) solve the same Bluebook test multiple times:

All questions within the same Module have the same value for the calculation of the scaled score.
In calculating the Scaled score, the value of a question in Module 1 is not the same as in Module 2, even though both Modules have the same number of questions.
The scaled score varies for the same raw score depending on whether Module 2 is easy (lower) or difficult (upper). The scaled score of the section is higher for the same raw score if the solved module 2 is difficult (upper).

Next, let’s take a look at a table published by the College Board for calculating the Scaled score. Although it is not exactly the same as the new Digital SAT reality, it is the most updated information from the official source. Note that although the exam already has a structure with Modules, it does not have the same number of questions that you will find on the Digital SAT.

Raw Score	Reading and Writing Score		Math Test Score
# Of Correct Answers	Lower	Upper	Lower	Upper
0	200	200	200	200
1	200	200	200	200
2	200	200	200	200
3	200	200	200	200
4	200	200	200	200
5	200	200	200	200
6	200	200	200	200
7	200	210	200	220
8	200	220	200	230
9	210	230	220	250
10	230	250	250	280
11	240	260	280	310
12	250	270	290	320
13	260	280	300	330
14	280	300	310	340
15	290	310	320	350
16	320	340	330	360
17	340	360	330	360
18	350	370	340	370
19	360	380	350	380
20	370	390	360	390
21	370	390	370	400
22	380	400	370	400
23	390	410	380	410
24	400	420	390	420
25	410	430	400	430
26	420	440	420	450
27	420	440	430	460
28	430	450	440	470
29	440	460	460	490
30	450	470	470	500
31	460	480	480	510
32	460	480	500	530
33	470	490	510	540
34	480	500	520	550
35	490	510	530	560
36	490	510	550	580
37	500	520	560	590
38	510	530	570	600
39	520	540	580	610
40	530	550	590	620
41	540	560	600	630
42	540	560	620	650
43	550	570	630	660
44	560	580	650	680
45	570	590	670	700
46	580	600	690	720
47	590	610	710	740
48	590	610	730	760
49	600	620	740	770
50	610	630	750	780
51	620	640	760	790
52	630	650	770	800
53	630	650	780	800
54	640	660	790	800
55	650	670
56	660	680
57	670	690
58	680	700
59	690	710
60	700	720
61	710	730
62	720	740
63	730	750
64	750	770
65	770	790
66	790	800

Example:

Your Reading and Writing Raw score is 51. By applying the conversion table above the Reading and Writing Scaled score is 640 (Remember to apply to Upper scale)
Your Math Raw score is 39. By applying the conversion table above the Reading and Writing Scaled score is 610 (Remember to apply to Upper scale)

Step 3: Add both Scaled scores

To conclude the process and obtain your final SAT score, you need to add both scaled scores.

Example:

640 (Scaled Reading and Writing) + 610 (Scaled Math) = 1,250 points

A SAT Good Score

It’s worth noting that a good SAT score varies depending on the college or university you are applying to. However, a score of 1200 or above is generally considered a good score, while a score of 1400 or above is considered an excellent score.

For a better understanding of good and bad scores we have created two tables for you. The first one discloses the average SAT score between 2017 and 2022, and the second one provides the SAT score range required by the 23 of the most popular universities in the USA.

Understanding the SAT Percentiles

When a student receives his or her percentile rank, it shows what percentage of students scored the same or lower than them. For instance, if a student is in the 90th percentile, it means that 90% of their comparison group achieved scores at or below their score. The percentile allocates and ranks in relation to all the other test takers..

Colleges use percentiles to compare your performance with other applicants. If you are applying to a very competitive school check out your score and also your percentile. It is a good benchmark for you to understand how much better you did than the others. Take this metric into consideration when you are deciding about your applications.

How Does A Digital SAT Score Report Look Alike?

Here is a sample of the Digital SAT score board. Notice that the arrows point to the sections’ performance (points and percentile) and the circle contains the total performance (points and percentile). This exact information is the one you will receive after taking the digital SAT.

Hopefully this blog post has resolved all your doubts. However, if you have questions in regards to your SAT preparation, get in touch and we will let you know how EPIC PREP can help you achieve your goals. Differently, if you prefer to continue reading here is the link to our SAT courses page.