Understanding Raw SAT Score Conversion

I'm a bit confused about how raw scores on the SAT get converted to the 'actual' score. What does it mean and how does it affect my overall SAT score? Can anyone clarify this for me?

Sure, I can explain this! The conversion of raw scores to scaled scores on the SAT is integral to calculating your overall score. The "raw score" is the number of questions you answered correctly on each section, with no deductions for wrong answers.

Then comes the conversion—each test version has slightly different difficulty levels, so College Board uses a process called "equating" to ensure fairness across different versions. Essentially, a raw to scaled score table is created for each test version to account for difficulty differences. So, let's say on one version of the SAT you answered 45/52 questions correctly on the Reading section, you might get a scaled score of 34 (out of 40). On a different version, 45 correct answers might result in a scaled score of 33, due to the second test being deemed easier.

Your overall SAT score is the total of your Math scaled score and your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) scaled score. Each section is scored out of 800, for a possible total of 1600.

So, for instance, if you scored a 34 on the Reading, 35 on Writing and Language (together making a 690 ERW section score) and a 710 on Math, your total SAT score will be 1400.

What's important is that your preparation targets understanding and accuracy so that you can aim for as many correct answers as possible. Remember, scores are just one factor in the college admissions process, so aim to do the best you can and supplement your application with strong essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.