Just being a bit paranoid maybe. I've heard of something known as SAT answer service. Does anyone have more info on this? Like, could it help me identify where I screwed up on my SAT? Is it even worth it?
Yes, you're referring to The College Board's "Question-and-Answer Service" or QAS. This service is not available for all test dates, however; only specific ones throughout the year, so you'll need to check if it was offered for your specific test date.
For a fee, the QAS provides you with a copy of the test you took, your answers, the correct answers, and information about the type and difficulty of each question. It's meant to be a study tool, allowing you to see where you made mistakes, and learn from them for future tests. For example, if you find that you're missing a lot of geometry questions, you might want to focus on improving in that area.
However, do keep in mind that the QAS doesn't show how the test was scored or explain why certain answers are correct, and it doesn't change or verify official scores. It's just a tool for students to identify potential problem areas in their test-taking strategy. So, if you're looking for a way to confirm that your test was scored correctly, this might not serve your purpose. Also remember that the SAT is now fully digital and you get your scores more quickly than in the past, so often there's not a lot of time to use this feedback before you take your next test.
Deciding if it's worth it pretty much depends on how you plan to use it. If you plan on re-taking the SAT and want a detailed break down of where you can improve, it can be pretty useful. If you're just curious about which questions you missed, it might not be worth the cost.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.