The SAT tests your skills in reading, writing and math.
The SAT is one of the most critical tests students will take in their academic careers. It is one determinate that college admissions committees use to gauge a student's eligibility for acceptance into their university. While some colleges accept lower SAT scores, others are more selective and generally select students with higher SAT scores. The SAT tests a student's skills in critical reading, math and writing. The critical reading section was previously called the verbal section.
Instructions
1. Locate your scaled score. Your scaled score will appear on your score report underneath the "Critical Reading" section. It is calculated by adding one point for each correct answer and subtracting 1/4 point for every answer you answered incorrectly. Your raw score is then converted to a scaled score between 200 and 800.
2. Identify the percentile score section. Your percentile score is the ideal way to interpret your SAT score, because it tells you how you did in relationship to other SAT test takers. Because you cannot "fail" or "ace" the SAT, the best measure of how you did is compared to others.
3. Use your scaled score to locate your percentile score. Your percentile score will be located in the same row as your scaled score on the percentile score section. The percentile number next to your score indicates the percentage of test takers you performed better than. For example, if you scored in the 50th percentile, you scored better than 50 percent of test takers, and 50 percent of test takers scored higher than you. Or, if you scored in the 88th percentile, you would have tested better than 88 percent of test takers, with 12 percent scoring higher than you.
4. Determine what colleges offer admission to students with SAT scores similar to yours. Use the college board's online "My College Matches" link through your online score report. This will display colleges that admitted students with scores in your range in past years and help you to determine if you would like to re-take the test to become a more competitive applicant at the school of your choice.
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