SAT Score Ranges by College Tier
| College Tier | Score Range | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy League / Top 10 | 1500-1600 | 98-99+ |
| Highly Selective | 1400-1500 | 94-98 |
| Selective | 1300-1400 | 87-94 |
| Moderately Selective | 1200-1300 | 75-87 |
| Less Selective | 1000-1200 | 40-75 |
Understanding SAT Scores
Score Scale
The SAT is scored from 400 to 1600, combining two section scores that each range from 200 to 800:
- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-800
- Math: 200-800
Raw vs. Scaled Scores
Your raw score is the number of questions answered correctly. The scaled score is converted using an equating process that accounts for slight difficulty variations between tests.
No Guessing Penalty
There is no penalty for wrong answers on the SAT. Only correct answers count toward your score, so you should always answer every question.
How We Calculate Your Score
Our calculator uses an approximation of the SAT scoring methodology to estimate your scaled scores from raw scores.
Calculation Methodology
Step 1: Calculate Raw Scores
Add up your correct answers for each section:
Reading & Writing Raw = Reading Correct + Writing Correct (max 96)Math Raw = No Calc Correct + Calculator Correct (max 58)Step 2: Convert to Scaled Scores
Raw scores are converted to scaled scores (200-800) using a curve:
The conversion accounts for the curved nature of SAT scoring, where getting a higher percentage correct results in a disproportionately higher scaled score.
Step 3: Calculate Total Score
Add the two section scores together:
Total SAT Score = Reading & Writing Score + Math ScoreRange: 400-1600
Step 4: Estimate Percentile
Based on your total score, we estimate your percentile ranking:
- 1550+ = 99th percentile
- 1400+ = 94th percentile
- 1200+ = 75th percentile
- 1050 = 50th percentile (average)
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on typical SAT curves. Actual conversion tables vary by test administration. Use this as a general guide, not an exact prediction of your official score.