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How SAT Scoring Works: Complete 2026 Guide

Understanding SAT scoring is essential for setting goals and tracking progress. The Digital SAT uses a multi-step scoring process that converts your raw scores (number of correct answers) into scaled section scores, which combine for your total score. This guide explains every step of the process and helps you calculate exactly where you stand.

The Digital SAT consists of two main sections: Reading and Writing (combined into one section) and Math. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800, and your total SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600. Unlike the old paper SAT, there's no penalty for wrong answers—your raw score is simply the number of questions you answer correctly.

The Reading and Writing section contains 54 questions across two modules, while the Math section has 44 questions across two modules. Your performance on Module 1 determines the difficulty of Module 2, which is why the SAT is called 'adaptive.' This adaptive testing means the conversion from raw to scaled scores considers the difficulty path you experienced.

College Board uses a process called 'equating' to ensure scores are comparable across different test dates. This means a 1400 today represents the same skill level as a 1400 from any other administration. The specific conversion tables may vary slightly between tests, but the overall scoring remains consistent.

Your percentile ranking indicates how your score compares to other test-takers. For example, a 75th percentile score means you performed better than 75% of students. Percentiles are especially important for college admissions because they show your relative standing among applicants.

SAT Score Components Explained

Raw Score

Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answer correctly. There's no penalty for wrong answers, so you should answer every question. Reading & Writing has 54 questions (raw score 0-54), and Math has 44 questions (raw score 0-44).

Section Scores

Raw scores are converted to section scores on a 200-800 scale. This conversion accounts for question difficulty and ensures consistency across test dates. Your Reading & Writing section score and Math section score are each reported on this 200-800 scale.

Total Score

Your total SAT score is the sum of your two section scores, ranging from 400 to 1600. This is the primary number colleges see and the score most commonly referenced in admissions statistics.

Percentile

Your percentile shows what percentage of test-takers scored below you. A 90th percentile score means you outperformed 90% of students. Percentiles help contextualize your score relative to the national pool.

College Competitiveness by SAT Score

1550-1600

99+ percentile

Ivy League & Elite

Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, UPenn, Caltech

1500-1549

97-99 percentile

Top 10 Universities

Duke, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, University of Chicago, Brown

1450-1499

95-97 percentile

Top 25 Universities

UCLA, USC, NYU, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Georgetown

1350-1449

88-95 percentile

Top 50 Universities

Boston University, Georgia Tech, University of Florida, UT Austin

1200-1349

72-88 percentile

Competitive Universities

Penn State, Ohio State, Purdue, Indiana University, Arizona State

1050-1199

49-72 percentile

Average Range

Most state universities, Regional colleges

Below 1050

Below 49 percentile

Below Average

Community colleges, Open-admission universities

10 Score Improvement Tips

1

Take a diagnostic test first to identify weak areas before planning your study

2

Focus 60% of study time on your weakest section for maximum score improvement

3

Aim for 10-20 hours of focused practice per 50-point improvement goal

4

Use official College Board practice tests for accurate score predictions

5

Review every wrong answer thoroughly—understanding errors prevents repeating them

6

Practice with time limits to build test-day stamina and pacing skills

7

Take full practice tests weekly in the final month before your test date

8

Get adequate sleep the week before the test—fatigue significantly impacts scores

9

Consider superscoring: retake if you can improve one section significantly

10

Use HackSAT's free practice questions to target specific skill areas

Understanding SAT Superscoring

Superscoring combines your best section scores from multiple SAT attempts. For example, if you scored 650 R&W and 700 Math on your first test, then 700 R&W and 680 Math on your second test, your superscore would be 700 R&W + 700 Math = 1400.

Many colleges accept superscores, including most Ivy League schools, MIT, Stanford, and hundreds of other universities. This policy benefits students who may have had an off day on one section or who improved significantly between tests.

Superscoring means you should consider retaking the SAT even if you've already achieved a good score. If you can improve one section while maintaining the other, your superscore increases. There's no limit to how many times you can take the SAT, though most students take it 2-3 times.

Some important superscore considerations: Not all colleges superscore (check each school's policy), some scholarship programs use single-sitting scores only, and superscoring between SAT and ACT is not possible.

Score Conversion Tables

📘 Reading & Writing Conversion Table (54 questions)
Raw ScoreScaled ScorePercentile
5480099+
5379099+
5278099
5177098
5076097
4975096
4874095
4773093
4672091
4571089
4470087
4369084
4268081
4167078
4066075
3965071
3864067
3763063
3662059
3561055
📙 Math Conversion Table (44 questions)
Raw ScoreScaled ScorePercentile
4480099+
4379099
4278098
4177097
4076096
3975095
3874093
3773091
3672089
3571086
3470083
3369080
3268076
3167072
3066068
2965064
2864059
2763055
2662050
2561046

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the SAT scored?
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600. You receive a raw score (number correct) for each section, which is converted to a scaled section score (200-800). Your total score is the sum of your Reading & Writing section score and Math section score.
What is a good SAT score?
A 'good' score depends on your college goals. The national average is around 1050. A score of 1200+ is above average, 1350+ is competitive for top 50 schools, 1450+ is competitive for top 25, and 1500+ is competitive for Ivy League and elite universities.
How do I calculate my SAT score from raw scores?
Use our calculator above! Enter your raw score for Reading & Writing (0-54 questions correct) and Math (0-44 questions correct). The calculator converts these to scaled section scores (200-800 each) and shows your total score (400-1600).
What is SAT superscoring?
Superscoring combines your best section scores from multiple SAT attempts. For example, best R&W from Test 1 + best Math from Test 2 = Superscore. Many colleges accept superscores, effectively using your highest performance on each section.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the SAT?
No. The Digital SAT has no penalty for wrong answers. Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answer correctly. Always guess if you don't know—you have a 25% chance of getting it right!
How many questions are on the SAT?
The Digital SAT has 98 total questions: 54 in Reading & Writing (two 27-question modules) and 44 in Math (two 22-question modules). You have 64 minutes for R&W and 70 minutes for Math.
What percentile is a 1400 SAT score?
A 1400 SAT score is approximately the 94th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 94% of test-takers. This is a competitive score for most top 50 universities.
What percentile is a 1500 SAT score?
A 1500 SAT score is approximately the 98th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 98% of test-takers. This is a strong score for even the most selective universities.
What is the average SAT score?
The national average SAT score is approximately 1050 (around the 50th percentile). This translates to roughly 520-530 on each section. Most high school students score between 900 and 1200.
How long is the SAT?
The Digital SAT takes approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes: 64 minutes for Reading & Writing and 70 minutes for Math. There's a 10-minute break between sections.
Can I use a calculator on SAT Math?
Yes! The Digital SAT allows calculator use on all math questions. A built-in Desmos graphing calculator is available, or you can bring your own approved calculator.
How often can I take the SAT?
You can take the SAT as many times as you want, though most students take it 2-3 times. The SAT is offered 7 times per year in the US. With Score Choice, you can choose which scores to send to colleges.
Do colleges see all my SAT scores?
Through Score Choice, you can select which SAT scores to send to colleges. Some colleges require all scores, so check each school's policy. Most selective schools accept superscoring, so multiple attempts can help.
What's the difference between scaled and raw scores?
Raw score = number of questions correct. Scaled score = the 200-800 section score that accounts for test difficulty. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores using tables that vary slightly by test date to ensure fairness.
How is the SAT different from the ACT?
Key differences: SAT is 2hr 14min (ACT is 2hr 55min), SAT has no science section (ACT does), SAT uses digital adaptive testing, and they use different scoring scales (SAT 400-1600, ACT 1-36).
What score do I need for merit scholarships?
Many merit scholarships require 1300+ for smaller awards and 1400+ for substantial awards. Some full-ride scholarships require 1500+. Check specific scholarship requirements, as they vary widely.
How do I improve my SAT score by 100 points?
A 100-point improvement typically requires 20-40 hours of focused practice. Identify weak areas, use targeted practice, review all wrong answers, and take timed practice tests. Most students can achieve this in 4-8 weeks of dedicated study.
How do I improve my SAT score by 200 points?
A 200-point improvement typically requires 40-80+ hours of practice over 2-3 months. Focus heavily on weak areas, learn test-taking strategies, and take multiple full practice tests. This is achievable for most students with dedicated effort.
Is 1100 a good SAT score?
A 1100 is slightly above the national average (1050) and places you around the 58th percentile. It's sufficient for many state universities and colleges but may be below target for competitive schools.
Is 1200 a good SAT score?
A 1200 is above average and places you around the 74th percentile. It's competitive for many state flagship universities and meets minimum requirements for most colleges.
Is 1300 a good SAT score?
A 1300 is a strong score, placing you around the 86th percentile. It's competitive for top 50-100 universities and exceeds requirements for most state schools.
Is 1400 a good SAT score?
A 1400 is an excellent score, placing you around the 94th percentile. It's competitive for top 25-50 universities and makes you a strong candidate at most schools except the most selective.
What SAT score do I need for Harvard?
Harvard's middle 50% SAT range is approximately 1500-1580. While there's no minimum, most admitted students score in this range. However, high scores alone don't guarantee admission—holistic review matters.
What SAT score do I need for state schools?
Most state universities admit students with SAT scores of 1100-1300. Flagship state schools (like UC Berkeley, Michigan, UVA) are more competitive, typically wanting 1350+.
Does section order affect my score?
On the Digital SAT, Reading & Writing always comes first, followed by Math. Your performance on Module 1 of each section determines whether you get an easier or harder Module 2, which affects your scoring range.
What is adaptive testing on the SAT?
The Digital SAT adapts to your performance. If you do well on Module 1, you get a harder Module 2 that can yield higher scores. If you struggle on Module 1, you get an easier Module 2 with a lower score ceiling.
How accurate are practice test scores?
Official College Board practice tests are very accurate predictors of actual scores, typically within 30-50 points. Third-party tests may be less accurate. Take multiple practice tests for the best prediction.
When should I take the SAT?
Most students take the SAT in spring of junior year and fall of senior year. This allows time for retakes if needed. Plan your first attempt at least 6 months before application deadlines.
Should I take the SAT or ACT?
Try practice tests for both! Some students prefer SAT's digital format and math-focused approach; others prefer ACT's pacing and science section. Your higher relative percentile indicates which test suits you better.
What's a perfect SAT score?
A perfect SAT score is 1600 (800 on each section). Less than 1% of test-takers achieve this. A perfect score requires answering nearly every question correctly, but even 1550+ is considered exceptional.

Sources & References

↗SAT Suite of Assessments — College Board↗Understanding SAT Scores — College Board↗SAT Score Ranges — College Board↗SAT Percentile Ranks — College Board Reports↗Superscoring Policy — Compass Education Group↗Digital SAT Student Guide — College Board↗College Admission Requirements — NACAC↗Test-Optional Policies — FairTest↗SAT Test Dates — College Board↗Score Choice — College Board

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