How to use the SAT Score
- Enter the number of correct answers in each section.
- Read the estimated section scores and total.
- Repeat with each practice test to see the trend rather than one snapshot.
- Treat the total as a range of about ±30 points, not an exact prediction.
How the calculation works
The SAT scores each section on a 200 to 800 scale and sums them for a total between 400 and 1600. Raw correct answers are converted through an equating table specific to that test form, which compensates for differences in difficulty so that a given scaled score means the same ability regardless of which test you sat. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so every question should be answered.
Because equating tables vary, any generic conversion is an approximation — typically within a few tens of points. Percentile rank matters as much as the scaled score for admissions purposes, since it places you against the cohort rather than against the scale, and percentiles shift year to year with the test-taking population.
Total = Reading & Writing scaled score + Math scaled score, each 200–800 from a form-specific equating tableSource: College Board SAT scoring structure and score ranges. VERIFY current section structure and percentile tables against College Board publications for your test year.
Worked example
A student scores 42 of 54 on Reading and Writing and 36 of 44 on Math on a practice test.
- Reading and Writing raw 42 maps to roughly 680 on a typical conversion table.
- Math raw 36 maps to roughly 710.
- Total = 680 + 710.
An estimated 1390 total, which would typically sit around the 93rd percentile nationally.
Frequently asked questions
Should I guess on questions I do not know?+
Yes. There is no deduction for incorrect answers, so leaving a question blank simply forfeits the chance of a mark. Eliminate what you can and choose from the rest.
How accurate is a practice test estimate?+
Reasonably close for official practice material, less so for third-party tests. Expect a band of roughly 30 to 50 points, and remember test-day conditions typically cost a few points versus a relaxed practice sitting.
Do colleges see all my attempts?+
That depends on the institution and on whether you use score choice. Many universities consider the highest section scores across sittings, a practice usually called superscoring.
Is the SAT comparable to the ACT?+
Concordance tables published by the testing organisations allow approximate comparison, and most universities accept either. Take a full practice test of each and pursue whichever format suits you.
Last reviewed August 31, 2026. We review this page whenever the underlying formula, tax year, published rate or standard changes.