SAT Scores and Calculations

Hey folks, just a little lost here. How is the SAT score calculated? Like each section, extra points, penalties for wrong answers and stuff like that. Thanks in advance.

Hey there! The SAT scoring structure is pretty straightforward, but let's break it down into simple terms. As a starting point, there are two sections on the SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is scored on a range of 200 to 800 points, which are then added together to get your composite score. This means the lowest possible score is 400 (200 + 200) and the highest possible score is 1600 (800 + 800).

In terms of how the scores are calculated on each section, they use something known as "rights-only scoring." This means that you do not get penalized for wrong answers; the score is merely a tally of the questions you get right. That's encouraging because it means you should always guess on questions you're unsure about - there's no risk of losing previously-earned points.

Each question you answer correctly contributes to what's called a raw score – simply a count of the number of correct answers. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score, between 200-800, through a statistical process known as "equating."

One important note to add is that as of 2024, the SAT is a fully digital test designed in a different structure from previous paper-based versions. Each major section, Reading and Writing and Math, consists of two timed modules. The Reading and Writing section has two 32-minute modules to answer 54 questions, and the Math section has two 35-minute modules to answer 44 questions.

Remember, though, while your SAT scores are important, colleges do also consider your high school GPA, course rigor, and many other factors when evaluating your application. Hopefully, this clarifies how SAT scores are calculated. Best of luck!