How to Calculate Your SAT Score | Step-by-Step Guide
How to Calculate SAT Score: Calculating your SAT score is straightforward once you have an idea of the steps- it just needs some basic math knowledge. SAT is a standardized exam widely used in U.S. college admissions, and your SAT total marks play a vital role in eligibility as well as scholarship decisions.
In this blog, we’ll explain how to calculate the SAT score, show how to use an SAT score calculator, and also walk you through the conversion of raw correct answers to of your final scaled score.
How To Calculate Your SAT Score: Step-by-Step
Let us now learn how to calculate your SAT score using a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Understand the SAT Exam Structure
Before using the SAT score calculator, it is essential to understand the exam format. The SAT is divided primarily into two sections:
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): This section includes Reading, Writing, and Language tests. The combined SAT total score for EBRW ranges from 200 to 800.
- Math Section: The Math section also has a score range of 200 to 800.
Also, there is an optional essay section, which is scored separately on a scale of 6 to 24. Understanding this structure is crucial for accurately calculating SAT scores.
Step 2: Determine Your Raw Scores
Your SAT score begins with the calculation of raw score, which is simply the total number of questions you answer correctly in each section. The SAT exam does not penalize for wrong answers- meaning there is no negative marking. So, it’s always smart to attempt every question, even if you are not sure.
In the math section, each correct answer equals one point. For the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section, your raw score is the combined total of your Reading, Writing, and Language scores.
The College Board then converts these raw scores into scaled scores using a specific standardized conversion table. This process helps determine the final SAT score out of the SAT exam’s maximum score of 1600. You can also use an SAT score calculator to estimate of your scaled score correctly.
Step 3: Convert Your Raw Scores into Scaled Scores
After finding out your raw scores, the next step in the SAT score calculator process is the conversion of them into scaled scores. The College Board uses a process called equating to ensure fairness across different test versions. This would mean that a score of 600 in Math or EBRW represents the same level of performance, regardless of which SAT exam you had taken.
For the determination of your SAT total marks, refer to the official SAT score conversion chart, which the College Board has provided. This chart helps in accurately converting raw scores from each section into their corresponding scaled scores, which gives you a clear idea of your final SAT score out of 1600.
Step 4: Calculate Your Total SAT Score
To find out your overall SAT score, add your scaled EBRW score and your scaled Math score. The total will give you your SAT score out of 1600. For example, if you have earned 650 in EBRW and 700 in Math, your final SAT composite score would be around 1350.
Step 5: Review Your Optional Essay Score
If you choose to take the SAT Essay (optional), you’ll receive a separate score ranging from 6 to 24 points. Not all universities require this score, so check the specific SAT essay requirements of the colleges you’re applying to before deciding whether to submit it or not.
Step 6: Interpret Your SAT Percentile
Your SAT percentile shows how your performance compares to that of other test-takers. For instance, if your score is in the 75th percentile, it means that you have scored higher than around 75% of students who took the SAT. Understanding your percentile ranking helps you gauge your competitiveness for top universities.
Step 7: Access Your SAT Results
Your SAT score report is usually available two or three weeks after the test date on the official College Board website. The report provides a detailed breakdown of your performance in each section, helping you identify your strengths and also areas for improvement.
Read More:Â SAT Eligibility
An Example to Understand SAT Score Calculation
Step 1: Understand the SAT Format
Aarav took the SAT exam which had two major parts- EBRW and Math. Each section is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, making the maximum SAT score 1600.
Step 2: Determine the Raw Scores
Aarav answered 48 out of 52 math questions correctly. In the EBRW section, which has 96 questions in total, he got 42 out of 52 Reading questions and 37 out of 44 in Writing and Language questions correctly.
- Math Raw Score: 48
- EBRW Raw Score: 42 (Reading)+ 37 (Writing & Language)= 79
Step 3: Convert to Scaled Scores
Using the SAT score calculator or the official College Board conversion chart, Aarav translates his raw scores into scaled scores.
- Math Scaled Score: 710
- EBRW Scaled Score: 690
( Please note, actual scaling can vary depending on the test version)
Step 4: Find the Total SAT Score
To get the total SAT score, Aarav adds his two section scores:
Total SAT score= Math scaled score+ EBRW Scaled Score
Total SAT score= 710+690= 1400
Hence, Aarav’s final SAT score is 1400 out of 1600.
Step 5: Check the Optional Essay Score
If Aarav opted for SAT Essay, and received 20 out of 24, this score would appear separately on his score report. Since the essay is optional, he should verify if the university he is targeting requires it.
Step 6: Interpret the Percentile
Aarav’s 1400 SAT score places him in around 78th percentile, meaning he has performed better than 78% of test takers globally.
This simple example on how to calculate your SAT score using raw and scaled results can help you get a better result. Please remember to always refer to the Official College Board SAT score calculator or the latest scoring guide for accurate conversion.
Read More:Â SAT Exam Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
How are SAT marks calculated?
SAT marks are calculated by converting raw scores from each section into scaled scores, ranging from 200 to 800.
What score is a 70% on the SAT?
A 70% accuracy roughly equals an SAT score between 1150 and 1200, depending on the specific test version.
Is 1400 a good SAT score?
Yes, a 1400 SAT score is excellent and places you in the top 90th percentile of test-takers.
What is the SAT total score?
The total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600, combining Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math scores.
How many marks is each SAT question worth?
Each correct SAT answer adds one point to your raw score; there’s no penalty for wrong answers.
What is a perfect SAT score?
A perfect SAT score is 1600, achieved by scoring 800 in both Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections.
How long does it take to get SAT results?
SAT results are typically released online within two to three weeks after the test date.
Do all colleges require the SAT Essay score?
No, most colleges no longer require the SAT Essay; check individual university requirements before registering.
