Im still a little confused on how they score the SAT!! Do they score on different parts or the whole thing together?? and what score is a good score to get into college?? i am just curious to know that way i have something to aim for!!
Answers
Hi Leslie,
The SAT is very secretive about their scoring (for example, no one can say that if you get x number correct, you'll get a certain score for certain), but I can tell you a few things.
First, the SAT "raw score" is computed like this:
1 point for every correct answer
0 points for every blank answer
-1/4 points for every wrong answer (EXCEPT on the free response math section)
You also receive an essay score between 0 and 12. Two graders read your score and rate it on a scale between 0 and 6 (for more info on this, check collegeboard.com)
These raw scores are computed for each area (reading/verbal, math, writing), and then turned into a score on the 0-800 scale by the college board. The exact number of points needed to get, say, a 700 on the math section varies from test date to test date.
These 3 scores are then simply added up to get your SAT score.
In terms of what a good score is, that depends entirely on where you want to go to school. If you want to go to Harvard, shoot for a 2400 (3 scores of 800). If you want to go to a local community school, a 1600 may suffice. Check with your schools (dream schools, fit schools, and safety schools). They should tell you what an "average" SAT score is in their criteria for admission or entering class profile. Collegeboard.com also has a feature where you can search for your school and find a range of typical SAT scores. Don't forget, always shoot higher than average. If an average student at your dream school gets a 1900, aim for a 2100! It never hurts to be better than average or better than good!
Good luck!
The SAT is very secretive about their scoring (for example, no one can say that if you get x number correct, you'll get a certain score for certain), but I can tell you a few things.
First, the SAT "raw score" is computed like this:
1 point for every correct answer
0 points for every blank answer
-1/4 points for every wrong answer (EXCEPT on the free response math section)
You also receive an essay score between 0 and 12. Two graders read your score and rate it on a scale between 0 and 6 (for more info on this, check collegeboard.com)
These raw scores are computed for each area (reading/verbal, math, writing), and then turned into a score on the 0-800 scale by the college board. The exact number of points needed to get, say, a 700 on the math section varies from test date to test date.
These 3 scores are then simply added up to get your SAT score.
In terms of what a good score is, that depends entirely on where you want to go to school. If you want to go to Harvard, shoot for a 2400 (3 scores of 800). If you want to go to a local community school, a 1600 may suffice. Check with your schools (dream schools, fit schools, and safety schools). They should tell you what an "average" SAT score is in their criteria for admission or entering class profile. Collegeboard.com also has a feature where you can search for your school and find a range of typical SAT scores. Don't forget, always shoot higher than average. If an average student at your dream school gets a 1900, aim for a 2100! It never hurts to be better than average or better than good!
Good luck!
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