How do SAT scores change?

Hey guys, I've taken the SAT test twice now and I've seen a substantial change between my first and second test. Does anyone know why this might be? Can multiple attempts greatly affect your score, and should I expect major changes in my scores for future attempts?

There are numerous factors that could account for changes in your SAT scores. For starters, each SAT test can vary slightly in terms of difficulty, and the College Board uses a process called equating to ensure that scores are consistent across different test dates. This process adjusts the raw score (the number of questions you got correct) to the scaled score (the 200-800 score for each section) to compensate for any differences in difficulty. This means that if one test is statistically proven to be slightly easier, it will require a few more correct answers to achieve the same scaled score, so variations in the difficulty of the tests you took might result in changes to your scores.

Second, your level of preparation between test dates can greatly impact your results. If you did extensive studying in between attempts, you likely picked up new strategies and gained a deeper understanding of the test material, which would naturally lead to improvement.

Third, things like your state of mind on test day, how much sleep you got the night before, and even what you had for breakfast can all impact your performance on the test. It's possible that you just had an off day during one of your takes, which could have affected your performance.

If you plan to take the SAT again, do keep in mind that, generally, students typically see the most substantial score improvements between their first and second attempts at the SAT, and the increases tend to lessen after the third attempt. This is because, after a few takes, students have usually hit their optimal score. Considering this, while you may see some increase in future attempts, the changes might not be as major as the ones you've already experienced. Of course, if you continue to study and master new content in the meantime, further improvements are definitely possible! Remember, every student is unique, so it's crucial to figure out what works best for you. Good luck!