The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the USA and other countries. The SAT is owned, developed, and published by the College Board, a private, not-for-profit corporation in the United States. Taking the SAT or its competitor the ACT, is required for admission to a majority of the top ranked colleges and universities in the USA. The test is intended to assess the readiness of a student for college. According to College Board President David Coleman, the New SAT introduced in 2016, reflects more closely what a student has learned in high school (class IX to XII).

According to College Board, the SAT measures literacy, numeracy and writing skills. The SAT also assesses the proficiency of test takers in analysing and solving problems. These are broadly the same skills that are needed for academic success in college. Therefore, College Board proclaims that use of the SAT in combination with high school grades provides a better indicator of success in college than high school grades alone.

The Composite SAT Score ranges from 400 to 1600, combining test results from two 800-point sections – Mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing. The minimum score in each section is 200. The Essay is scored separately and is rated on three dimensions – Reading, Analysis and Writing. The Essay will have three scores (one for each dimension), each ranging from 2 to 8.

The New Scoring

The new SAT will return to the 1600-point scale, with the Math and Reading sections scored between 200 and 800, and the optional essay evalu-ated separately. The ¼-point penalty for wrong answers will be discontinued.

The new scoring model is also more complex than ever, providing enriched score reports to shed light on your individual strengths and areas that need improvement.

 

Type of Score Score Range Details
Composite Score 400-1600 •  The sum  of the two Area scores–Math score + Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score
•  The Essay score will be reported  separately and  is not a part of the Composite Score
Section Score 200-800 •  There are two Area scores – one for Math and  one for Evidence-Based Reading & Writing
•  The Essay score is scored separately and  not included in either Area score
Essay 3 Scores, 2-8 each •  The Essay will have  three scores – Reading, Writing, and  Analysis, each  scored between 2 and  8.
Test Score 10-40 •  There  are  five  Test  scores  –  Math,  Reading,  Writing  &  Language,  History/Social  Studies, and  Science
•  Two of the Test scores – History/Social Studies and  Science  – are “Cross-Test Scores”.  These scores will reflect how students per- form on specific questions tied to these subjects as seen in both  the Math and  Evidence-Based Reading & Writing sections.
Subscore 10-40 •  There are seven Subscores:
•  Two tied to Reading, Writing & Language • Two tied to Writing & Language only
•  Three tied to Math
•  The Reading, Writing & Language Subscores will reflect how students perform on specific questions tied to Command of Evidence  and  Relevant Words in Context concepts
•  The Writing & Language Subscores will reflect how students perform on specific questions tied to Expression of Ideas  and  Standard English Conventions concepts
•  The Math Subscores will reflect how students perform on specific questions tied to The Heart of Algebra, Passport to Advanced Math, and  Problem  Solving and  Data Analysis concepts
SAT READING TEST CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS
Number Percentage of Test
Time Allotted 65 minutes
Passage Word Count 3,250  words total  from  4 single passages and  1 pair; 500–750 words per passage or paired set
Total Questions 52 questions 100%
Multiple Choice (4 options) 100%
Passage Based 100%
SAT MATH TEST CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS
Time Allotted 80 minutes
Calculator Portion (38 questions) 55 minutes
No-Calculator Portion (20 questions) 25 minutes
Number Percentage of Test
Total Items 58 questions 100%
Multiple Choice (MC, 4 options) 45 minutes 78%
Student-Produced Response (SPR — grid-in) 13 minutes 22%