Hello, everyone. I've recently given the SAT and received my scores, but I can't quite understand how they work. Is it true they're based on percentiles? Can someone please explain it to me, I'm genuinely lost.
The SAT, as it stands now, is scored based on a scale of 1600. This maximum score is split between two sections, Reading & Writing and Math, with each section allowing for a maximum of 800 points. If you tally up your scores for both sections, you get your composite score. The score that you earn reflects the number of questions you answered correctly - it's not affected by the questions you answered incorrectly due to guessing, as there isn't a penalty for wrong answers.
As for the percentile reference, you might see it in your SAT score report. This is an additional way of understanding where your score stands in relation to other students who took the same test. For example, if your SAT score report says that you're in the 90th percentile, it means that you scored better than 90% of the students who took the test.
You'll find two types of percentiles on your report - the Nationally Representative Sample percentile and the SAT User percentile. The first one compares your scores with the scores of typical 11th- and 12th-grade U.S. students. The latter, the SAT User percentile, compares your scores only with the scores of students in your grade who took the SAT at least once by that same date.
Remember, while SAT scores can be an important factor in the admissions process, many colleges practice a holistic review, considering various aspects of your application, not just your SAT score. If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, I'm here to help!
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