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How to Calculate SAT Scores: Step-by-Step Guide & Tips

How to Calculate SAT Scores: Step-by-Step Guide & Tips

Edited By M Anusha | Updated on Feb 21, 2024 11:06 AM IST | #SAT

How to Calculate SAT Scores? - The SAT exam consists of two sections one is the reading and writing section and the other is the maths section. To calculate SAT scores the individual section scores of RW and maths are summed to get the total SAT score. However, students have to know that the new Digital SAT follows multistage adaptive testing. So, to calculate the SAT score, the question difficulty level and correctness are to be taken into account. Calculating SAT score can identify your weaknesses.

How to Calculate SAT Scores: Step-by-Step Guide & Tips
How to Calculate SAT Scores: Step-by-Step Guide & Tips

SAT Total Score

The SAT total score ranges from 400 to 1600. Here, the minimum possible low score is 400 and the maximum possible SAT high score is 1600. Candidates can learn how to calculate SAT scores and have an estimate of their scores and performance of their SAT exam. Candidates can read the article to calculate SAT scores by themselves.

How is SAT Score Calculated?

Before knowing how to calculate SAT scores, candidates should first know how the SAT scores are calculated by the College Board. In brief, every correctly answered question in the section is given 1 point. These raw scores of each section are converted into scaled scores depending on the difficulty level. Finally, by combining both individual scores of RW and maths sections, the final SAT score is obtained. In this way, the College Board will calculate the SAT score.

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How are section scores calculated?

Scoring for the digital SAT can be accurately done by the College Board. However, candidates can calculate SAT practice tests by themselves only. To undergo this process, candidates need a score conversion table for the practice test they have attempted. The sample score conversion table is provided below.

SAT Question/Sample papers
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Step 1 - Calculate SAT section-wise raw scores.

Have a glance at the SAT pattern section-wise and calculate the SAT raw score in each section. Allot one mark for every right question answered in each section. As there is no negative marking on the SAT, there would be no problem with unanswered or incorrect answers in the exam. For example, if the candidate gets 30 questions right in one section, then their raw score is 30.

Step 2 - Convert the raw scores into a score scale

Firstly consider the Reading and Writing (RW) section of the SAT. Take the raw score of the RW section and convert it into a 200 to 800 score scale. Here the candidates require an SAT score conversion table of their respective SAT tests attempted.

Here is the sample conversion table of the SAT practice tests. In this test, a total of 66 questions are there in the RW section. So, the maximum possible raw score is 66. The required score conversion table varies depending on the number of questions in the SAT test/practice test.

Raw Score Conversion Table for RW Section (sample)

Raw Score

Reading and Writing Section Score Range

Maths Section Score Range

0

200-200

200-200

1

200-200

200-200

2

200-200

200-200

3

200-200

200-200

4

200-200

200-200

5

200-200

200-200

6

200-200

200-200

7

200-210

200-220

8

200-220

200-230

9

210-230

220-250

10

230-250

250-280

11

240-260

280-310

12

250-270

290-320

13

260-280

300-330

14

280-300

310-340

15

290-310

320-350

16

320-340

330-360

17

340-360

330-361

18

350-370

340-370

19

360-380

350-380

20

370-390

360-390

21

370-390

370-400

22

380-390

370-400

23

390-410

380-410

24

400-420

390-420

25

410-430

400-430

26

420-440

420-450

27

420-440

430-460

28

430-450

440-470

29

440-460

460-490

30

450-470

470-500

31

460-480

480-510

32

460-480

500-530

33

470-490

510-540

34

480-500

520-550

35

490-510

530-560

36

490-510

550-580

37

500-520

560-590

38

510-530

570-600

39

520-540

580-610

40

530-550

590-620

41

540-560

600-630

42

540-560

620-650

43

550-570

630-650

44

560-580

650-680

45

570-590

670-700

46

580-600

690-720

47

590-610

710-740

48

590-610

730-760

49

600-620

740-770

50

610-630

750-780

51

620-640

760-790

52

630-650

770-800

53

630-650

780-800

54

640-660

790-800

55

650-670

-

56

660-680

-

57

670-690

-

58

680-700

-

59

690-710

-

60

700-720

-

61

710-730

-

62

720-740

-

63

730-750

-

64

750-770

-

65

770-790

-

66

790-800

-

*(Source- College Board)

Here the lower and upper scores shown in the table state the maximum possible score that can be obtained for the particular raw score. For example, if the candidate's raw score in the RW section is 30, then the converted scale score is 450 to 470. Similarly carry out the score conversion for the maths section.

Step 3 - Sum the Individual Section Scores

Once the converted scores of individual sections are received, add them to get the final SAT exam score. For example, if the candidate's converted score of RW is 450 to 470 and the maths section is 470 to 500. Then the final possible SAT score scale is 460 to 485.

From the above-given information, I hope all applicants have understood how to calculate SAT scores for their official SAT practice tests.

Multi-stage Adaptive Testing in SAT

The SAT test pattern follows Multistage adaptive testing. Each section in the SAT consists of 2 modules.

  • First Module - Consists of easy, medium and hard questions across the domain.

  • Second Module - The questions in the second module can be of either higher or lower difficulty and this depends on the average performance in the first module.

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As stated by the College Board, candidates will not be getting low scores for answering lower-difficulty questions in the second module. So candidates need to try their best for every question to get the best SAT score.

Is a Calculator allowed during the SAT exam?

Candidates can use a calculator for the SAT exam. The calculator allowed in the SAT

is only for the maths section. Students are not allowed to use a calculator for SAT tests during the RW section. For this purpose, students can bring their own calculator from home to the exam hall.

Here are the types of allowable calculators for SAT.

  • All types of scientific calculators

  • 4 -function calculators

  • Most graphing calculators

Know more about SAT

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to calculate digital SAT score 2023?

Both the reading and writing section and maths section in the SAT has a score range of 200 to 800. These individual section scores are added to get the final digital SAT score. The total Digital SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600.

2. How to find my SAT score?

Candidates who appeared for the SAT exam can find their SAT scores online at SAT official webpage. Choose the “Get your SAT scores” option and log in to your SAT account. The results will appear on the home page itself. However, the digital SAT results are released after 13 to 14 days from the SAT exam date. Once they are released candidates can check in their SAT accounts.

3. Is 800 a good score for SAT?

Getting an 800 score in the SAT exam states that the candidates stand above 19% of the SAT test takers. However, to get admission into the top universities a candidate has to score at least 50% above the average test takers i.e., 1050 to 1100 score to get more options to select a university in a particular country.

4. How to figure out my own SAT score?

Students who attempted the SAT practice tests through their college board account will have their recent history of SAT scores. By calculating the average of the recent SAT scores candidates can estimate their SAT score and performance.

5. What is a 80% on SAT?

In SAT there are percentile rankings, which provide comparison to SAT test takers. If the candidate is ranking in the 80th percentile, it means the candidate has performed better than 80% of the SAT test takers.

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Questions related to SAT

Have a question related to SAT ?

Hello aspirant,

Students who have finished their class 11 and 12 standards from Indian boards and have a recognized diploma are eligible to take the SAT exam. But topic is not a barrier, and you can take the SAT without taking math.

So yes you can give this exam.

Thank you

Hope it helps you

Two papers make up the Class 8 NMMS (National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship) exam:


The Mental Ability Test (MAT) measures a person's capacity for critical thought, reasoning, and problem-solving. It covers topics such as pattern recognition, numerical series, classifications, analogies, and more.


The Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT, assesses a candidate's general knowledge as well as their proficiency in science, math, and social studies. It centres on the academic material that students have studied.


While every state may have a unique curriculum and format, both exams usually feature multiple-choice questions (M CQs).

Juee 21 September,2024

Hello aspirant,
The SAT is a standardized test used by many colleges and universities in the United States and other countries to assess a student's readiness for college. Here's a general guide on how to apply for the SAT and whether the IPE (Integrated Program in English) is important:

Process to apply in SAT:

a. Create a College Board Account: Go to the College Board website (collegeboard.org) and create a free account.

b. Register for the SAT: Once you have an account, you can register for the SAT exam. Select your preferred test date, test center location, and fee payment method. The SAT is typically offered on Saturdays throughout the year.

c. Prepare for the SAT: There are many resources available to help you prepare for the SAT, including practice tests, study guides, and online courses. You can also consider taking a SAT prep course.

d. Take the SAT: On the test day, arrive at the test center early, bring your admission ticket, photo ID, and any necessary supplies (e.g., pencils, calculator).

e. Receive Your Scores: Your SAT scores will be available online a few weeks after the test date. You can use these scores to apply to colleges and universities.

The IPE (Integrated Program in English) is a program offered by some schools in India that focuses on developing English language skills. While the IPE can be helpful in improving your English proficiency, it is not a requirement for taking the SAT.

The SAT is designed to assess your knowledge of English language arts and mathematics, regardless of your background or educational experience. If you have a strong foundation in English, you should be able to do well on the SAT even without participating in the IPE.

I hope this information helps.

To gain admission to Ivy League colleges besides the SAT and ACT, you can consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams and SAT Subject Tests, although the latter have been discontinued by the College Board. AP exams demonstrate mastery of college-level coursework and can strengthen your application. Additionally, if you're an international student, taking English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS is essential. Some Ivy League schools also accept the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma as a rigorous academic qualification. Achieving high scores in these exams, along with maintaining an exceptional academic record, participating in extracurricular activities, and submitting strong essays and recommendation letters, will enhance your chances of admission. Try selecting a foreign admission consultant for your educational career, consider their track record, client reviews, and success stories.

Yes, there have been changes to the BITSAT 2024 exam dates. The second session, initially scheduled from June 22 to 26, has been revised to June 24 to 28, 2024. For personalized guidance and up-to-date information, you might consider consulting Invicta Career Consultancy, which specializes in assisting students with their study abroad plans, While there are other options available, hence you can pay a visit to their website (icclearning.com) and consult with them for better guidance. All the best to you.

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