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

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

Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on Feb 10, 2025 10:03 AM IST | #SAT
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The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the US, and knowing how scores are calculated is important for students seeking to achieve their target scores. The SAT has two major sections: Reading and Writing and Math. Each of these sections is scored between 200 and 800, which then leads to a total score between 400 and 1600. Unlike traditional grading techniques, the SAT uses a scaled scoring system. Raw scores are converted into scaled scores. Here we will discuss the whole SAT scoring process.

This Story also Contains
  1. SAT Total Score
  2. How is SAT Score Calculated?
  3. How are Section Scores Calculated?
  4. Multistage Adaptive Testing in SAT
  5. Is a Calculator Allowed During the SAT Exam?
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.

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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)

Also Read: How to Send SAT Scores to Colleges?

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 - Add 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.

Multistage Adaptive Testing in SAT

The SAT test pattern follows Multistage adaptive testing. MST is a testing method used by the digital SAT in adjusting question difficulty based on a student's performance. The key difference between MST from the traditional adaptive testing is that, whereas traditional adaptive testing changes after every question, MST adapts after a set of questions, usually at the section level. 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 the 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 2025?

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 ?

Yes, you can get a scholarship for the SAT if you perform well. Here’s how:

  1. College Board Scholarships – Some universities offer financial aid based on SAT scores.

  2. Merit-Based Scholarships – High SAT scores increase your chances of earning scholarships.

  3. Need-Based Aid – If you demonstrate financial need, many institutions provide assistance.

  4. External Scholarships – Organizations like Coca-Cola Scholars and National Merit offer scholarships.

  5. University-Specific Aid – Some colleges automatically consider SAT scores for scholarships.

Check university websites and scholarship portals for eligibility criteria. Stay determined and aim high!

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    • After clearing the exam, selected candidates undergo training before being appointed as Deputy Tahsildar/MRO .

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  5. Preparation Strategy

    • Focus on state-specific syllabus .

    • Study Indian Polity, Economy, and Geography thoroughly.

    • Practice Aptitude and Reasoning regularly.

I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to ask. We will be happy to assist you.

Thank You and wishing you a bright future ahead.

Hello,

Based on previous year trends, your selection for the NMMS scholarship in Bihar is unlikely. Here's why:

  • Qualifying Marks : General category students must score at least 40% (36/90) in both MAT and SAT, while reserved categories require 32% (29/90).
  • Your Scores : You achieved 51 in SAT and 62 in MAT, totaling 113 marks.
  • Previous Cut-Offs : General category cut-offs range between 120-150 marks, while reserved categories fall between 90-95 marks.
  • Scholarship Quota : Bihar awards scholarships to 5,433 students annually.
  • Topper Scores : In 2024, top scores ranged from 140 to 153 marks.

With a total score of 113, your selection is unlikely.

Hope you find it useful !

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Thank you

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

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