Are you preparing to take the SAT and wondering how to predict your score? Or wondering what constitutes a good score in the first place? Few tests in your life can elicit so much anxiety or uncertainty, but with our SAT Score Calculator, you’ll be able to anticipate your score and plan accordingly. First, though, remember that a “good” SAT score depends on you and your goals. Moreover, your SAT score is just one aspect of your application—one considered alongside your GPA, essays, etc. Aiming for a target score that matches your aspirations can eliminate much of the stress surrounding this aspect of your application (Scroll down for Digital SAT Score Calculator).
Typically, students take the SAT either during the fall or spring of their junior year, although some opt to take it during their sophom*ore year. Timing depends on several factors, including your own level of preparedness. Using the SAT Score Calculator can help you determine your own timeline by providing insights into your readiness for the test. Meanwhile, perusing the SAT score ranges of accepted applicants at various institutions will help you identify your target score.
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What is the SAT?
The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a multiple-choice exam designed and administered by the College Board. The purpose is to measure a student’s readiness for college and provide colleges with a standardized way to compare applicants.
The SAT has evolved over the years, as has the scoring. Often, when people find out you’re preparing for the test, they’re eager to tell you their own scores and experiences. Unless they’ve taken the test quite recently, pay them no mind. The current SAT is not your grandpa’s test. It’s come a long way, baby!
In fact, starting in the spring of 2024, the SAT will be fully digital. That’s right, folks, no more paper and pencil test. What a time to be alive!
With the digital SAT, you’ll be able to use your personal computer (although it is not a requirement). Prior to test day, you’ll need to download the Bluebook testing application. The test will still be administered at schools or testing centers, and will retain the same structure (see below). Likewise, testing accommodations will remain in place for the digital version. However, the transition to the Digital SAT will usher in some additional changes:
Digital SAT Score Calculator (Continued)
- The SAT will now be adaptive. Specifically, it will use a multistage adaptive design. This means that the questions you encounter on later parts of the test will depend on how you answered earlier questions. That is, the test adapts based on your performance, but not instantaneously. Each module (discussed below) is stable, meaning you can go back to earlier questions within the module—module questions don’t change as you go.
- The test will be shorter. How about some good news, eh? The digital SAT is streamlined, and will take around 2 hours, rather than the previous 3. Ready for more good news? This means that practice tests are also shorter, giving you more opportunities to predict your score using the SAT calculator.
- Graphic calculator use is expanded. Previously, the test included a “no calculator” portion. No longer! Now all students will have access to a built-in graphic calculator, and are also allowed to bring their own.
How is the SAT Structured?
The digital SAT is composed of two timed sections, each split into two equal length modules:
- Reading and Writing (64 minutes, or 32 minutes for each module)
- Math (70 minutes, or 35 minutes for each module)
In between the two sections, you’ll enjoy a 10-minute break, making the total test time 2 hours and 14 minutes.
On account of the fancy new multistage adaptive design, the first module of each section will contain a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Your performance on the first module will determine the difficulty level of the second.
How Many Questions are on the SAT?
Overall, you’ll answer 98 questions over 134 minutes:
- Reading & Writing: 54 Questions (27 in each module)
- Math: 44 Questions (22 in each module)
Most of the questions will be multiple-choice, although for some math questions you’ll be asked to enter the answer. It is always better to guess than to leave a question blank!
Digital SAT Score Calculator – How is the SAT Scored?
Each SAT section is scored between 200 and 800 points. Your total score combines your Reading & Writing Section and Math Section scores for a total of up to 1600 points.
Your score depends on the following:
- Number of questions answered correctly and incorrectly in each section
- Subscores (how you performed on key concepts within each section)
- Cross-test scores (how you performed on interdisciplinary concepts)
“What?!” you might be thinking. “Subscores?! Cross-test scores?!” Alas, it turns out that even multiple-choice tests aren’t all that simple. With the SAT, each section has multiple subscores ranging from 1-15:
- Reading & Writing Subscores: Information and Ideas, Craft and Structure, Expression of Ideas, and Standard English Conventions
- Math Subscores: Algebra, Advanced math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry
Additionally, there are two cross-test scores: Analysis in History/Social Studies and Analysis in Science. These scores are calculated across the sections and range from 10-40.
Okay, fine. But How are SAT Scores Calculated?
Ah, yes. For that you’ll need to understand the difference between raw scores and scale scores:
- Raw Scores: Total number of correct responses
- Scale Scores: Raw scores converted to account for different tests and difficulty levels. You’ll score between 200-800 for each section, for a total SAT score between 400-1600.
It is difficult to predict your SAT score based on raw scores alone. Indeed, even getting a question incorrect doesn’t entirely eliminate the possibility of achieving a perfect score! Obviously, you’ll want to strive to answer as many questions correctly as possible, but the raw data alone won’t tell you your score.
Using the SAT Score Calculator can give you a more accurate prediction and show you where more preparation is needed.
Digital SAT Score Calculator – How Can I Predict My SAT Score?
The SAT Score Calculator is designed to provide predictions based on the current information provided by the College Board. The SAT Calculator is interactive, which allows you to explore different scenarios and determine where and how to strive for improvements to your score based on your aspirations.
Relatedly, utilizing the SAT Calculator as part of your test preparation and target score setting can help you refine your college search by allowing you to focus on institutions wherein the range of scores of accepted applicants align with your own predicted score.
How Can I Improve Upon My Predicted Score?
Beyond taking practice tests and reviewing testing strategies, you can prepare for the SAT by familiarizing yourself with the SAT format and identifying targeted areas for improvement. Interacting with the SAT Score Calculator will enable you to focus on certain academic areas for increased study and review. It will also alert you to which aspects of the test you’ll need to devote the most care and attention.
For example, are you scoring in the 1450 range when you’re aiming for a 1500? Experiment with different outcomes in each section to see where there’s the most room for improvement.
SAT Score Calculator– What’s the Average SAT Score?
In 2023, according to the College Board’s most recent report, 1.9 million students took the SAT. The average score was 1028—reflecting a slight dip from previous years (the average score in 2022, for instance, was 1050). In 2023, only 7% of students nationwide scored between 1400-1600. More informative than the average score or nationwide breakdowns, however, are the score ranges for each institution. Students accepted to Dartmouth, for example, tend to score in the range of 1500-1580. Those accepted to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor tend to score between 1350-1530. Students accepted to Seattle University tend to score in the range of 1190-1390.
Exploring the score ranges for various colleges will give you a better sense of what scores will best align with your college acceptance goals. Rather than focusing on getting a “good” SAT score, it is better to identify and strive for a personalized target score.
When Do I Receive My Score?
Scores are released 13 days after the test. That can feel like an eternity, but preparing for the test and utilizing the SAT Score Calculator to make predictions can ease your mind during the waiting period.
When you take the SAT, you can indicate which colleges you’d like to receive your scores. The College Board sends those to colleges within 10 days of you receiving your scores. Alternatively, you can send your SAT scores to selected colleges at a future date.
Digital SAT Score Calculator – How Important is the SAT Score Anyway?
It depends. As noted, your SAT score is but one component of your application. Moreover, different colleges weigh the importance of SAT scores differently, or accept students within a wider or narrower range of scores. Your percentile matters as well—not just your score. As noted, average scores fluctuate. What constitutes a “top tenth” score can shift from year to year.
Additionally, some schools are test-optional (giving students the choice of whether or not to submit scores). Others are test-blind and do not accept standardized test scores from any applicants.
Regardless, preparing adequately for the SAT and aiming for an achievable target score will help you make informed decisions during your college search process. The SAT Score Calculator is a useful tool for exploring the possibilities associated with different score outcomes.
Finally, remember that while higher scores do tend to correlate with increased options, your SAT score is not the only barometer of your college readiness—academic or otherwise.
