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

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.

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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?

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.

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.

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)

*(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.

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

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