SAT Scores: Range, Percentile, Score Calculation and Top Universities

SAT score is measured on a scale of 400 to 1600. There are three sections in SAT - Reading, Writing & Language and Math. SAT Reading has 52 questions which need to be answered in 65 minutes. The Writing and Language has to be completed in 35 minutes with 44 questions. SAT Math section has 58 questions which needs to be completed in 80 minutes. The total time allocated is 3 hours to solve 154 questions. For every correct answer, test takers get one point. Candidates are not penalized for wrong answers in SAT Exam.

These raw scores are converted to scaled score. The SAT test scores are the sum of two sections, SAT Math and SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (SAT EBRW). Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800 with a 10 point increment. Once the SAT raw scores are out, it is converted to scaled scores, which determines the percentile ranks. If a candidate’s score is in the 76th percentile, the student did better than 76% of SAT test takers. Digital SAT score is released online about 2–3 weeks after test day.

SAT digital test release date for exams commencing on May 9, 2024, is yet to be announced. Students can send the SAT Scores to as many universities as they like. The reports can be sent Online from College Board website, via email and phone. Candidates can also cancel the SAT Scores at the test center and later also.

Calculating SAT Score

Candidates must be aware of the score calculations before taking the exam. SAT math score and SAT EBRW contribute toward the total marks of SAT. SAT exam does not have any specific marks for passing the test. The cut-off of SAT test result varies as per the university. The average SAT score is usually around 1050 which might change depending on the performance of the candidates. For SAT score calculation, candidates must take the sum of two section scores: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math. Candidates must note that:

• Sat Score Range: The SAT total marks vary from 800 to 1600.
• Percentile Ranking: The 90 percentile means that the candidate performed 90% better than the rest of the contenders.
• Better Chance of Admission: The higher the SAT results, the better chances of getting into a reputable institution or university.

The raw score calculations are:

SAT Exam Score to Percentile Conversion

SAT test scores show the candidate their position with respect to the rest of the candidates. The 75 percentile SAT Score usually ranges between 1100-1200. Candidates can check the percentile and SAT score chart conversion in the below table.

SAT Exam Score Report

SAT test score reports provide multiple information to the candidate. The SAT results show the SAT exam total marks, section wise score and many more. Candidates can get the SAT score report by signing in to the College Board account and visiting the Student Score Report home page. The details of the SAT Score report are:

• SAT Exam Total Score: It is the sum of the two sections of the SAT Scores that ranges from 400 to 1600.
• Sectional Score: The sectional score ranges from 200-800 and is based on the performance of the candidate in the SAT Math Section and EBRW Sections. Anything above 700 is considered high SAT score
• Subscore (marks scored in each type of question): Subscores are multiple points provided for Reading, Writing and Math Sections. All of these sectional SAT Scores range from 1 to 15. This provides an additional insight into the student’s performance.
• Student’s percentile: The percentile score tells how well the student has performed on his SAT entrance exam as compared to other test-takers.

Checking SAT Results

To check SAT results, candidates must visit the SAT exam official website and login with their credentials. Candidates can also check the SAT answers by ordering SAT score verification, which incurs extra fees. The process for checking SAT results are:

How to Send SAT Scores

Candidates can send the SAT total scores to as many institutes as possible. The overall SAT score is called SAT Superscore. Sending a Superscore means that the institute will accept the highest score out of all SAT exams. Candidates can send the SAT score to universities in two ways. The ways for SAT score sending are:

• Selecting the institutes while registering for SAT
• Sending SAT results as soon as they are ready.
• SAT Rush order

Candidates can send their good SAT scores to the universities via the mentioned ways. Candidates must send the SAT Essay score if the university requests it. The ways to send SAT scores are:

• Online: Candidates can access your SAT scores by accessing the College Board SAT scores section
• Mail: Fill out the ‘Additional Score Report Order Form’ and mail it
• Phone: Call Customer Service at 866-756-7346 (toll-free) or 212-713-7789 (international)

1USD = 83.34 Indian Rupee, dated 7th December, 2023

SAT Score Cancellation

The SAT scores have to be canceled quickly in case the candidate wants to do that. Once the request to cancel SAT scores has been submitted, the scores will not be delivered to the universities. SAT score cancellation has two ways:

• At the SAT-test center
• After leaving the test center

Canceling SAT Score At Centre

In case the candidate does not want to send the SAT score to any university, it can be canceled at the test center. The process for cancellation of SAT scores at the test center is:

• Ask the test coordinator to cancel the test scores;
• Candidates will be asked to fill out a form;
• Return the form to the coordinator before leaving

Canceling After Leaving Test Centre

If the candidate forgets to cancel the SAT test Score range at the test center, they do not need to worry. The SAT scores can also be canceled afterward. The process of canceling the SAT scores after leaving the center are:

• Candidates can cancel the SAT Scores within 11.59 p.m. ET on the upcoming Thursday after the test date. The signed form must be delivered to the test center.
• The ‘SAT request to Cancel Scores’ form has to be downloaded and printed, or candidates can also write your own by infusing the following details:
  Candidates must include these details in the form after leaving the test center and send it to:
  SAT Score Cancellation
  P.O. Box 6228
  Princeton, NJ 08541-6228
  Details to be included in the form:
• Test date
• Test center number
• Name of test you are canceling—either the SAT or SAT Subject Test(s)
• Name, address, gender, birthdate, and registration number
• Signature is required, without which the cancellation will not be processed.

SAT Score Reporting to Universities

SAT allows four free SAT Scorecards for SAT score reporting. After that, the candidates need to pay for reporting the SAT Score. The details of reporting SAT Score are:

• Candidates choosing university during SAT registration can send free SAT Scores. No charges are applicable.
• Sending Superscore to more than 4 universities will be required to pay USD 14.

Candidates can report the SAT score by selecting the universities at the time of SAT registration. The types of SAT score that the candidates can send to the universities are:

• Archived scores: These can be sent after 1 year of attempting SAT. Candidates have to pay an extra $31 (INR 2584) for an additional report card.
• Old Scores: Scores to be sent after five years of attempting SAT
• Rush Reporting: Score report to be sent to colleges within 2-4 business days.

Top Universities SAT Test Scores

The top universities accepting SAT scores and their range are given below. Candidates can check the score range accepted to understand which level of colleges they can apply to. The SAT score required to get into top universities is more than 1350. Candidates have a higher chance of getting selected if the scores are more. The details of SAT score for colleges are:

Students can check respective Scholastic Aptitude Test results by visiting the official website of the College Board. They have to log in with their student ID and password for SAT. The SAT Scores are usually released after 13–14 days of the test. If the candidates have any issues, they can report it after the release of the results.

FAQ

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Ques: What is the difference between the SAT and the ACT?

Ques: How can I improve my SAT score?

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