Hello! I took my SATs recently, but I'm having a bit of trouble understanding how the total SAT score is calculated. Can anyone break it down for me?
Sure, happy to help with that! The SAT score is calculated based on two major sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW).
Each section is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The raw scores from each section - which is simply the number of questions you answered correctly - are converted into scaled scores via a process called equating. Equating ensures that the scores are standardized and fair across different test administrations no matter the difficulty level.
Your total SAT score is the sum of your Math and EBRW scores. So, it ranges from 400 to 1600.
In case of wrong answers, there's no need to worry. The SAT follows what's known as a "rights-only" scoring policy, which means you only gain points for correct answers and there's no penalty for wrong answers. This encourages test takers to give their best shot at every question.
Remember that the percentile also plays a crucial role, providing a reference to understand how your score stacks up against other test takers. For instance, a 90th percentile score means you scored better than 90% of the test takers.
That's the basics! EBRW + Math = Total SAT Score. Let me know if you have any more questions!
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