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SAT (Fall 2023)
Course: SAT (Fall 2023) > Unit 1
Lesson 2: Scoring on the SATScoring on the SAT
A brief explanation of SAT section scores, subscores, cross-test scores, essay scores and more!
SAT score components
The SAT is scored out of 1600. Subscores and cross-section scores help you evaluate your performance.
- Your total score is your overall score and is a combination of your section scores (see below). The highest composite score for the SAT is 800+800, or 1600. The average score is 1000.
- Your section scores are the individual scores for the two main sections of the SAT: reading/writing and math. Each of these sections is scored out of 800, and they are added together to get your overall score.
- The essay is optional and will not be factored into your overall SAT score. The essay scores will be shown separately on the report.
SAT score breakdown
In addition to the "top-line" scores, you also receive additional sets of scores that contain additional detail about how you performed on specific skill or subject areas.
To view your full score breakdown, choose "Show score breakdown" on your practice test results page, right below your total and section scores:
- Your test scores break out the reading/writing section into reading and writing and language and give you scores out of 40 points as well as a math test score out of 40 points. These are the basis for your section scores, and therefore your overall SAT score.
- Your two cross-test scores, each scored out of 40 points, are based on your performance answering questions that have science or history/social studies contexts. These subject-related questions appear both in Reading & Writing as well as Math.
- Your SAT subscores show how well you're performing in different skill categories, to give you a clearer picture of where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Subscores can be within reading and writing and language (Command of Evidence and Words in Context), writing and language alone (Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions), and math alone (Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math).
Want to join the conversation?
- If i take my time on the test and i only answered about 3/4 of the test, will my total score be lower than if i were to have answered the whole test?(140 votes)
- I think it is wise to attempt as many questions as possible in the stipulated time interval. However, as stated, if you can not finish in the time provided, guess for the remaining questions.(348 votes)
- Is there a risk that a poorly written essay will have a more negative effect than refusing to write one?(110 votes)
- While most colleges won't require an essay to be done, it can't hurt you. Most colleges that don't require an essay to be done won't care about the score, they can see that you at least attempted and wont hold the score against you.(155 votes)
- You must take the SAT in person, at specific location, at a specific time, so it must be on paper.(162 votes)
- I think that you can still take the online version, but you still have to go to a specific location at a specific time.(49 votes)
- How many sat's is a person able to take?(42 votes)
- I'm just taking 2, but it really depends if you are happy with your score, and if your not I suggest doing all of the full SAT practice tests. The practice tests really help you get a feel for the test, and even after taking the test they still help; however try to take some written tests, I think you can print some off of the full SAT practice tests on here.
Hope this helps! :)(33 votes)
- Is the sat on paper?(25 votes)
- Typically the SAT is on paper, but now the College Board is working to make it digital as well. (See it for yourself! Link: https://www.collegeboard.org/membership/all-access/counseling-admissions-academic/college-board-partners-air-assessment-expand)(48 votes)
- Are the subscores and crosssection scores included in the overall SAT score of 1600 or are they given seprately like the essay?(32 votes)
- the sub and crosssection scores will be given seperately. they are mostly usefull to tell in what specific areas (ex: social studies/history+science analysis, command of evidence, ect.) you are better at.(45 votes)
- Is it possible to write an essay during my test but not submit the essay scores to the colleges in case i get a bad essay scores?(50 votes)
- What are some practical ways of improving your scores(6 votes)
- Read more, take practice tests, and buy books with tons of SAT practice problems(60 votes)
- I'm pretty confused about the SAT overall. They say you cant be penalized for having a wrong question, but getting the wrong question would still lower your score correct. Then how is that different than just penalizing me for the wrong answer?(10 votes)
- There is NO penalty for having wrong answers. It's true that your score is lower if you have wrong answers, but that's compared to if you have all answers correct. Again, there is NO penalty.(36 votes)
- Is Math 50% of the total score on the new SAT?(23 votes)
- yes maths has a total score 0f 800, so does english(9 votes)