Hi, everyone. I've been doing some SAT practice tests to prepare for the real thing, but I'm not really sure if I'm grading them accurately. Surprisingly, I seem to be scoring pretty high, which feels too good to be true. Any advice on how to calculate scores accurately or good resources to use?
I'm glad to hear that you're consistently practicing with SAT tests as a crucial part of your preparation strategy. Scoring your practice tests accurately is just as important, as it gives you a better understanding of how well you'd do on the actual SAT.
First, remember that each section (i.e., Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) is scored on a scale of 200-800, with the total SAT score being the sum of these two sections, therefore ranging from 400 to 1600.
On the Reading and Writing section, you'll find a combined total of 96 questions. For every question you've answered correctly, you get 1 point. Add those up to get your raw score.
In the Math section, the scenario is similar, but there are a total of 58 questions which are also worth 1 point each.
Once you've tallied up your raw scores for each section, you can then convert them to scaled scores using the respective scoring chart from the College Board, which is included in their practice test documents. Just locate your raw score on the chart and see the corresponding scaled score.
For the most accurate scoring, you should also bear in mind a couple of things. Make sure you're simulating test conditions as much as possible when you take the practice test. Do the whole test in one sitting if you can, and keep track of the time to make sure you're not going over the allotted time limit.
And finally, don't shy away from those practice tests just because you score high - you could very well be getting better! Make sure you review the answers, even for those you get right. This way, you ensure that you are understanding and not just guessing. Keep refining your strategies and identifying areas of improvement.
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