Hey, quick question. Can someone explain how the SAT score breakdown works? Like, what are the different sections and how many points can I get on each? Any pointers would be great, thank you.
Sure, happy to shed some light on this! The SAT, now fully digital as of the spring of 2024, consists of two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math.
The Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section is further divided into two parts: Reading, and Writing and Language. For the digital SAT, both the Reading and Writing sections take place across two 32-minute modules to complete 54 questions. Thus, in the Reading and Writing section, you would have about 71 seconds to answer each question.
The Math section also consists of two modules and takes 70 minutes in total. You'll be solving 44 questions, which means you have roughly 96 seconds per question, or a little over a minute and a half.
The scoring works like this: each section (Reading and Writing, and Math) is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, so the total SAT score will range from 400 to 1600. Important to note is that there is no longer an essay section on the SAT.
A fun little tool you can use is the Bluebook™ app. It allows you to preview the digital SAT and even take a full-length practice test. This will give you a pretty good idea about the structure, timing, and question types you'll face on the actual SAT.
Be sure to prepare well in advance and review not only subject matter, but also test-taking strategies. This can really help improve your scores. Good luck with your studying!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.