Hello there, I've been cracking on with my SAT prep, and I just realized I'm not really sure how the math section's graded. Can anyone explain the process to me, please? Like, do they penalize for wrong answers, or can I just guess if I'm not sure?
The grading for the math section of the SAT—like the entirety of the SAT—is based on a process called 'rights-only' scoring. What this means advantageously is that you are awarded points for every question you answer correctly, but crucially, there are no deductions or penalties for incorrect answers or blank answers.
Under this framework, you start with a raw score, which is simply the number of questions you answered correctly. Unlike in previous versions of the SAT, you are not penalized for guessing so you should answer every question, even if you're unsure of the answer.
Once the raw score of the math section is calculated, it then gets converted into a scaled score that ranges from 200 to 800, this scaled score is what appears on your score report.
The conversion process (from raw score to scaled score) is not always identical from test to test, as it is conducted through a statistical process known as 'equating'. Equating ensures fairness in the scoring process despite slight differences in difficulty between different test versions.
Moreover, as of Spring 2024, the SAT has gone digital, resulting in a different format. The math section now includes two 35-minute modules, with a total of 44 questions, giving you over a minute and a half per question.
This change to rights-only scoring and the elimination of a no-calculator section—so you can use a calculator for both math modules—have been made with the objective of more accurately assessing a student's grasp of the materials, and encouraging guessing when the answer isn't known.
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