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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

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Decode the SAT: What Does 'Out of' Mean?

Sup peeps! I have a quick query. When we say the SAT is 'out of' so and so, what does that really mean? Like, what's the actual highest possible total score? And does this 'out of' score vary from section to section? Feeling a bit lost here!

3 months ago

Hey! Sure, happy to explain. The phrase 'out of' in the context of the SAT refers to the maximum possible score you can get on the test. As it stands, the redesigned SAT (in use since March 2016 and now fully digital) is 'out of' 1600 points in total.

This total score is based on two sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW), and Math. Each of these sections is scored separately on a scale of 200 to 800 points, and then the two section scores are added together to get your total score.

So if someone says, "I got 1300 out of 1600," that means they scored 1300 points in total out of the possible 1600. It doesn't tell you how they scored on each section, though, just the total.

The 'out of' doesn't vary by section because each section is always scored on the same 200-800 scale. However, the way you achieve your section scores can vary because the sections are different and have different types of questions and formats. Hope that clears things up!

3 months ago

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