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Duke University
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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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Understanding the SAT scoring system

Hey all! I'm preparing for my SATs and the scoring system has me somewhat lost. Can anyone help me understand how the scoring works or provide a simple explanation? Thanks!

3 months ago

Sure!

The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600. It's divided into two sections - Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (known as EBRW) and Math. Both sections are scored between 200 and 800, and when combined, they give you your total score.

To calculate your section scores, the scoring process involves two steps. First, you get a raw score for each section based on the total number of questions you answered correctly. Wrong answers don’t count against you - there is no deduction for wrong answers.

The second step is where your raw score is converted into scaled score via a process called "equating". The College Board adjusts each test based on its difficulty level, so a specific raw score on one test date could equal a different scaled score on another test date, depending on the particular test's difficulty. So a slightly hard test will have a more generous curve, and a very easy test will have a harsher curve.

The highest possible score you can earn is 1600 (800 per section).

I hope this helped clarify the scoring system for you! Good luck with your studying!

3 months ago

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