SAT Score Meaning & What Is A Good Score in SAT Exam?

The SAT score comprises two sections, a Maths section and an Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section. A 1600-point scale is used to determine the scores and each section is evaluated on a scale of 800 to 200–points. Further, an optional essay is also provided whose scores are evaluated separately and does not contribute to the overall score of SAT. Wrong answers do not account for negative marking and the raw scores are the sum total of correct answers which is converted to scaled scores. 

This blog will detail how SAT scores are calculated and what can be considered a good score.

SAT Score Report

The table below breaks down the scoring report.

Particulars	Scoring Scale	Highlights
1 total score	400 to 1600	Sum of two sections
2 section scores	200 to 800	1 Maths section score 1 EBRW section score
3 test scores	10 to 40	Scores of Reading, writing, language and math scores
2 cross-test scores	10 to 40	History/Social Studies and Science analysis scores are based on the two sections’ questions.
7 sub score	1 to 15	Scores for following proficiencies – Command of Evidence Expression of Ideas Words in Context Heart of Algebra Standard English Conventions Problem Solving and Data Analysis Passport to Advanced Math

SAT Raw Score Chart 

The score chart for SAT helps an individual to understand the marking procedure of the SAT exam. The raw score corresponds to the number of questions answered correctly. The below table provides information on how raw points are divided into three sections. 

Sections	Possible Raw Points
Reading	52
Writing and Language	44
Maths	58

SAT Raw Score vs SAT Scaled Score

SAT raw score is a marking factor determining the number of correct answers an individual has given under each section. This marking scheme is relatively straightforward, which eases out the system of offering students with cumulative scores. These raw scores are multiplied by 10 to get the scaled score of each section.The scaled score however, is calculated after multiplying the raw score by 10. As each section ranges from 200 to 800 points, the SAT marks are distributed accordingly.

SAT Score Conversion Chart

The below table provides the conversion scaled rates of the Maths section after determining the raw scores.

Maths Raw Score	Math Scaled Score
58	800
57	790
56	780
55	770
54	760
53	750
52	740
51	730
50	720
49	710
48	700
47	690
46	680
45	670
44	660
43	650

The below conversion chart determines the raw and scaled score of reading, writing and language. Further, these two sectional scores are added together and then multiplied by 10 to obtain the scaled score of Evidence-based reading and writing.

Raw score	Reading Scaled Score	Writing and Language Scaled Score
52	40	NA
51	40	NA
50	39	NA
49	38	NA
48	38	NA
47	37	NA
46	37	NA
45	36	NA
44	35	40
43	35	39
42	34	38
41	33	37
40	33	36
39	32	35
38	32	34
37	31	34
36	31	33
35	30	32
34	30	32
33	29	31
32	29	30
31	28	30
30	28	29

Now, let us move forward to know more about SAT Scores.

What is a Good Percentile SAT Score?

To determine a good SAT score compared with others, one must get the hang of the percentile given against the 1600 scale points. The mean and average SAT composite score hover around 1000 divided into two sections of 500 scale points each. In 2021 the average SAT score was 1051, with 523 as the average Math score and 528 as the average EBRW score. Furthermore, the percentile determines how one faired among other examination takers. The SAT percentiles are of two types, they are –

• Nationally Representative Sample Percentile –

This percentile compares an individual’s performance with students based in the US in a particular grade who don’t take the test.

• National SAT User Percentile –

This percentile compares an individual’s performance against the SAT takers for college admission after 11th and 12th grades. The SAT scores are distributed normally. The following chart shows the overall composite score and percentile against the same.

SAT Composite Score (Out of 1600)	Percentile
1600	99+
1550	99
1500	98
1450	96
1400	93
1350	90
1300	86
1250	81
1200	74
1150	67
1100	59
1050	51
1000	42
950	34
900	26
850	19
800	12
750	7
700	3
650	1
600 and below	1-

The table describes that an individual with a composite score of 900 determines that they have fared better than 26% of SAT takers. Further, as the composite score increases, the individual fares better in percentage among other SAT takers. Check out the below percentile chart for both Math and EBRW sections to get the hang of how one fares against other SAT takers in individual sections.

SAT Score (Out of 800)	Math Percentile	EBRW Percentile
800	99+	99+
750	95	98
700	91	94
650	84	85
600	75	73
550	61	58
500	43	41
450	28	25
400	16	11
350	5	3
300	1	1-
250 and below	1-	1-

What is a Good SAT Score Individually?

Knowing how an individual fares against others is not enough, but one should also keep a check on their score goals. These goals can be set as per the requirements of their dream colleges or schools. To determine one’s target score, one can look at the 75th percentile level column and aim for the highest SAT score which will make them competitive for other schools if they miss out on their target by 10 to 50 points.

Here is a list of some good SAT scores of some popular US schools in 2022.

School	SAT Score (25th percentile)	SAT Score (75th Percentile)	US News Ranking	Rate of Acceptance
Princeton	1440	1570	1	6%
Harvard	1460	1580	2	5%
Yale	1470	1560	5	6%
Stanford	1440	1550	6	4%
Penn	1440	1560	8	8%

The above article will help you understand the SAT score so that an individual can fare better in this exam and get to study in a school they are interested in. Set your SAT score goals higher and get into the college of your dreams.