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.
Real-World Examples: SAT Student Scenarios
Example 1: Maria - Aiming for Ivy League
Raw Scores: Reading 48/52, Writing 42/44, Math No Calc 19/20, Math Calc 36/38
Calculated Scores: Reading & Writing: 780, Math: 780, Total: 1560 (99th percentile)
Outcome: Maria's exceptional performance across all sections puts her in the top 1% nationally. This score is highly competitive for Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, which typically admit students with scores in the 1500-1600 range. Combined with strong GPA and extracurriculars, she has excellent admission chances.
Example 2: James - State University Scholarship Contender
Raw Scores: Reading 40/52, Writing 34/44, Math No Calc 16/20, Math Calc 30/38
Calculated Scores: Reading & Writing: 690, Math: 680, Total: 1370 (91st percentile)
Outcome: James scored well above the national average, placing him in an excellent position for state flagship universities and merit-based scholarships. His balanced performance demonstrates strong college readiness. Many state honors programs require 1350+ SAT scores, making him a strong scholarship candidate.
Example 3: Sarah - Improvement Journey
First Attempt: Reading 28/52, Writing 26/44, Math No Calc 12/20, Math Calc 22/38 (Total: 990)
After 3 Months of Practice: Reading 36/52, Writing 32/44, Math No Calc 15/20, Math Calc 28/38
Calculated Scores: Reading & Writing: 630, Math: 630, Total: 1260 (82nd percentile, +270 points)
Outcome: Sarah's dedicated practice resulted in a remarkable 270-point improvement. Her 1260 now qualifies her for moderately selective colleges and demonstrates strong academic growth. This score improvement story showcases the value of consistent preparation and strategic practice.
Example 4: Alex - STEM-Focused Applicant
Raw Scores: Reading 32/52, Writing 30/44, Math No Calc 20/20, Math Calc 38/38
Calculated Scores: Reading & Writing: 600, Math: 800, Total: 1400 (94th percentile)
Outcome: Alex achieved a perfect Math score, demonstrating exceptional quantitative skills ideal for engineering and computer science programs. While his Reading/Writing score is solid, his perfect 800 Math makes him competitive for top STEM programs at schools like MIT, Caltech, and Carnegie Mellon, which value high Math performance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on the SAT
1. Leaving Questions Blank
The Mistake: Many students leave difficult questions blank, thinking it's safer than guessing incorrectly.
Why It's Wrong: The SAT has no guessing penalty. Leaving a question blank guarantees zero points, while guessing gives you a 25% chance (for multiple choice) of earning a point.
How to Avoid: Always answer every question. When time is running out, eliminate obviously wrong choices and make educated guesses. Even random guessing is statistically better than leaving blanks. Practice this strategy during mock tests so it becomes automatic.
2. Mismanaging Time in Reading Section
The Mistake: Spending too much time on the first few passages, leaving insufficient time for later passages and questions.
Why It's Wrong: With 65 minutes for 52 questions across 5 passages, you have approximately 13 minutes per passage. Spending 20+ minutes on early passages means rushing through or skipping later ones entirely.
How to Avoid: Use a watch or test timer to allocate 13 minutes per passage. If you're stuck on a question, circle it and move on. Practice with timed sections to develop pacing instincts. Consider starting with passage types you find easiest to build confidence and momentum.
3. Over-Relying on Calculator for Simple Math
The Mistake: Using a calculator for every single calculation on the Math Calculator section, including simple arithmetic like 15 × 2 or 180 ÷ 3.
Why It's Wrong: Excessive calculator use wastes precious time and increases error risk from input mistakes. Many SAT Math questions are designed to be solved efficiently without calculators through factoring, estimation, or pattern recognition.
How to Avoid: Use mental math for basic operations. Reserve calculator use for complex calculations, decimal operations, or verification of answers. Practice identifying which problems benefit from calculator use. Remember that the No Calculator section teaches you which skills to have ready mentally.
4. Not Reading Writing & Language Questions Carefully
The Mistake: Choosing answers that "sound good" without identifying what the question is specifically asking (grammar vs. style vs. organization).
Why It's Wrong: Writing & Language questions test different skills: grammar, punctuation, word choice, sentence structure, organization, and rhetorical effectiveness. An answer that fixes grammar might be wrong if the question asks about logical flow or word choice.
How to Avoid: Read each question stem carefully before looking at answer choices. Identify exactly what skill is being tested (Is it asking about punctuation? Transition words? Logical sequence?). Eliminate choices that don't address the specific issue. Practice categorizing question types during preparation to recognize patterns quickly.