The Redesigned SAT Scoring System

SAT Scoring
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In March of 2016, the College Board administered the first Redesigned SAT test to students across the country. This new Redesigned SAT test looks quite different from the old exam! One of the major changes is the SAT scoring system. On the old SAT exam, you received scores for Critical Reading, Math and Writing, but no subscores, area scores or specific content scores.. The Redesigned SAT Scoring system offers those scores and much more. 

Confused about any of the information you see below? I'll bet! It's tough to decipher the scores if you don’t understand the Redesigned test's format. Check out the Old SAT vs. Redesigned SAT chart for an easy explanation of each test's design. Want to know even more about the redesign? Check out Redesigned SAT 101 for all the facts. 

Redesigned Score Changes

When taking the exam, there are a couple of things that will impact your score. First, multiple choice questions no longer have five answer choices; instead, there are four. Second, incorrect answers are no longer penalized ¼ point. Instead, correct answers earn 1 point and incorrect answers earn 0 points.

The 18 Redesigned SAT Scores On Your Report

Here are the different types of scores you'll receive when you get your score report. Please keep in mind that the test scores, subscores, and cross-test scores do not add up to equal the composite or area scores. They are simply reported to provide additional analysis of your skills. And yes, there are a lot of them!

2 Area Scores

  • You can earn a 200 – 800 in each area
  • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math will each garner a score between 200 – 800, similar to the old SAT scoring system.

1 Composite Score

  • You can earn a 400 – 1600
  • The composite score will be the sum of the 2 area scores for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (not including the Essay) and Math.

3 Test Scores

  • You can earn a 10 – 40 in each area
  • The Reading Test, The Writing and Language Test, and the Math Test will each receive a separate score between 10 – 40.

3 Essay Scores

  • You can earn a 2 – 8 in each area
  • The Essay will receive three scores in 3 areas.

2 Cross-Test Scores

  • You can earn a 10 – 40 in each area
  • Since texts and graphics will be used from History/Social Studies and Science across the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math tests, you'll receive separate scores demonstrating your command of these topics.

7 Subscores

  • You can earn a 1-15 in each area
  • The Reading Test will receive subscores in 2 areas which are combined with 2 of the Writing Test's subscores.
  • The Writing Test will receive subscores in 4 areas (2 of which are combined with the Reading Test's subscores).
  • The Math Test will receive subscores in 3 areas.

Scores By Content

Confused yet? I was, when I first started digging in! Perhaps this will help a bit. When you get your score report back, you'll see the scores divided by test sections: 1). Reading 2). Writing and Language and 3). Math. Let's look at the scores divided that way to see if it clears a few things up.

The Reading Test Scores

When you look at just your Reading scores you'll see these four scores:

  • A score between 200 – 800 for this test and the Writing Test combined.
  • A score between 10 – 40 just for this test.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for how you've comprehended "Words in Context". It'll be labeled as such on your score report and will be combined with "Words in Context" results from the Writing and Language Test, too.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for how you've demonstrated a "Command of Evidence." Again, this subscore is taken from both Reading and Writing and Language. 

The Writing and Language Test Scores

Here are the six scores you'll receive on your Writing and Language Test:

  • A score between 200 – 800 for this test and the Reading Test combined.
  • A score between 10 – 40 just for this test.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for how you've comprehended "Words in Context". It'll be labeled as such on your score report and will be combined with "Words in Context" results from the Reading Test.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for how you've demonstrated a "Command of Evidence." Again, this subscore is taken from both Reading and Writing and Language.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for "Expression of Ideas"
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for "Standard English Conventions"

The Math Test Scores

Below, find the five scores you'll see for the Math Test

  • A score between 200 – 800 for this test
  • A score between 10 – 40 for this test.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for "Heart of Algebra" which is one of the content areas on the test.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for "Passport to Advanced Math" which is one of the content areas on the test.
  • A subscore between 1 – 15 for "Problem-Solving and Data Analysis" which is one of the content areas on the test.

The Optional Essay Scores

Taking the essay? Since it's optional, you get to choose, but if you're applying to a college or university that considers the essay in its decision-making, you may need to take it whether you'd like to or not. The scores are a sum of the results of 1-4 from two separate graders. Here are the scores you'll see when you get your report:

  • A score between 2 – 8 for Reading
  • A score between 2 – 8 for Analysis of the text
  • A score between 2 – 8 for Writing

Concordance Between the Old SAT Scores and the Redesigned SAT Scores

Since the old SAT and the Redesigned SAT are very different tests, a 600 on one Math test is not equivalent to a 600 on the other. The College Board knows that and has put together sets of concordance tables for the SAT.

Likewise, they've also put together a concordance table between the ACT and the Redesigned SAT. Check it out, here. 

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Roell, Kelly. "The Redesigned SAT Scoring System." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/redesigned-sat-scoring-system-3211542. Roell, Kelly. (2023, April 5). The Redesigned SAT Scoring System. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/redesigned-sat-scoring-system-3211542 Roell, Kelly. "The Redesigned SAT Scoring System." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/redesigned-sat-scoring-system-3211542 (accessed March 28, 2024).