How the Digital SAT is scored.
The SAT has two sections, Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section has two modules with their own timer (College Board, test structure).
| Section | Questions | Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 54 in 2 modules | 64 minutes | 200 to 800 |
| Math | 44 in 2 modules | 70 minutes | 200 to 800 |
| Total | 98 | 2 hours 14 minutes | 400 to 1600 |
The test adapts. The first module of each section has easy, medium and hard questions. If you do well on it, the second module is harder. If not, it is easier.
Not every question counts the same. College Board scores the test with a statistical model (item response theory). Your score depends on which questions you got right, how hard they were, and how likely it is that you guessed. So two students with the same number right can get different scores (College Board, how scores are calculated).
A few questions do not count. Each module has two pretest questions that College Board is trying out for future tests. You cannot tell which ones they are.
The harder second module is not a bonus. College Board says a range of scores is possible with either second module, and you are not helped just for seeing the harder one.
How our estimate works
College Board publishes a paper version of 8 of its Bluebook practice tests (#4 to #11). The paper version does not adapt. Each paper test has 66 Reading and Writing questions and 54 Math questions. Its scoring table gives a lower and an upper section score for each number right (example: practice test #4).
- We scale your number right to the paper test length. For example, 40 out of 54 becomes about 49 out of 66, rounded to the nearest whole question.
- We look up that number in each of the 8 scoring tables. We average the lower scores and the upper scores, then round each to the nearest 10 points.
- We add the two sections for the total. The percentile is for the middle of the range.
Example: 40 right in Reading and Writing and 30 right in Math gives 590 to 640 and 540 to 600, so a total of 1130 to 1240.
The scaling is our math, not a College Board number. Your real score can be outside the range.
Took a paper practice test? Use the table in its own College Board scoring guide. It is made for that test.
SAT percentiles
| Total score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 1500 | 97 |
| 1400 | 93 |
| 1300 | 85 |
| 1200 | 75 |
| 1100 | 62 |
| 1000 | 47 |
| 900 | 32 |
| 800 | 17 |
A percentile of 75 means 75% of students who took the SAT scored the same or lower. College Board uses the scores of students who graduated in the last three school years.
Is my score good?
It depends on the colleges on your list, not on a national number. Look up each college in College Board's BigFuture college search, which shows the SAT range of the students it admits. Compare your score with that range. Inside or above it is a good sign, not a promise: the SAT is one part of the application.
A percentile tells you where you are among all SAT takers. It does not tell you if a college will say yes.
Took the PSAT? See what a good PSAT score is.
How to raise your Math score.
- Take the full practice tests in Bluebook. They adapt like the real test, and they are free. Take one with the timer on, then look at every question you missed.
- Find the kind of math you miss most. The Math section has four kinds: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry. Look at your missed questions, pick one kind, read the explanations, then try new questions of that kind.
- Learn the Desmos calculator before test day. Bluebook has a Desmos graphing calculator built in, and you can use it in the whole Math section. Practice graphing two equations and finding where they meet.
- Coming from the PSAT? Take a full SAT practice test next. The two tests are close, but not the same. See PSAT vs SAT.
- Guess when you are stuck. College Board recommends guessing for most students. Rule out the answers you know are wrong first, then move on.
Studying for AP Calculus too? Try our AP Calculus score calculator.
