SAT Results and Scores
Understand the intricacies of the SAT, such as how the scores are calculated, the different types of scores and what they mean.
Test Prep, Courses & Application Expert | 20 Years in International Education
Candidates receiving the SAT score is the sum of your reading, writing and math scores. The essay section score is calculated separately. To calculate the section-wise score, the SAT Scoring Team collects the data of raw scores, i.e., the number of correct answers in each section, and converts them to a scaled score of 200 to 800.
What is the Percentile in SAT Scores?
Candidates’ percentile rank in the SAT exam scores represents the percentage of students/candidates whose SAT scores are either equal to or lower than their score. For instance, if a student’s SAT score is 80th percentile, 80% of the students who took the SAT exam have achieved that score range or below.
How to Check SAT Scores?
After taking the test, the SAT scores are generally released in about 2 weeks after the test date. All test-takers will receive an email notification of the SAT results being made available on the College Board account. Follow the steps highlighted below to check the SAT scores you achieved this year.
- Sign in to your account from the College Board site.
- Click on the online score report for either your essay or your multiple-choice scores.
- Printing your scores: Click on the Details button and click the Download Report button to print your scores (this option is available on Desktop mode only).
- Receiving scores by phone: You can receive SAT scores by phone post the results are declared on the respective results date. An additional fee is to be paid to avail this feature.
- Most institutions in the USA require candidates to submit their SAT score reports through the College Board.
SAT Scores - Format
Understanding the SAT scores you achieved this year will help you understand the subjects and areas in which you excel and need additional academic support. Outlined in the table below are the different types of SAT scores and what each of the scores means.
| SAT Results | SAT Score - Description | SAT Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Total SAT score | Sum of the two section scores. | 400 - 1600 |
| Section scores | Evidence-Based Writing, Reading and Math. | 200 - 800 |
| Test scores | Reading and Writing, and Math. | 10 - 40 |
| Cross-test scores | Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. | 10 - 40 |
| Subscores | Reading, Writing and Math | 1 - 15 |
Listed in the table below are the different standards of SAT scores that test-takers can achieve. It is important to note that the SAT exam does not employ the concept of pass-fail. However, test-takers must ensure that they score as high as possible since the SAT scores are an exceptional measure of their academic performance.
| Best SAT Scores | Reading and Writing: 700 - 800 Math: 700 - 800 |
| Competitive SAT Scores | Reading and Writing: 600 - 690 Math: 600 - 690 |
| Above Average SAT Scores | Reading and Writing: 510 - 600 Math: 510 - 600 |
| Below Average SAT Scores | Reading and Writing: 520 or lower Math: 520 or lower |
With this knowledge of the SAT exam scores, it should be easier for you to determine the sections where you need to spend more time preparing. Moreover, as most universities across the USA have become test-optional, students must view the SAT as a tool to improve their academic profile, rather than a simple requirement to clear admission requirements. To understand more about the SAT exam, connect with AECC counsellors today and get expert guidance for FREE!
Test Prep, Courses & Application Expert | 20 Years in International Education