The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It is designed to assess a student's readiness for college-level work. The SAT has undergone several revisions, and its current format, which this calculator helps you understand, is divided into two main sections:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): This section tests critical reading, rhetorical analysis, and standard English conventions. It includes Reading Test and Writing and Language Test components.
Math: This section assesses a student's proficiency in algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, advanced math, and modeling. It includes a no-calculator section and a calculator-allowed section.
How SAT Scores Are Calculated
Each of the two main sections (EBRW and Math) is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The total SAT score is the sum of the scores from these two sections, resulting in a possible range of 400 to 1600.
The raw score for each section is determined by the number of correct answers. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score using a statistical process called "equating." Equating ensures that scores are comparable across different test administrations, even if the tests have slightly different difficulties. Factors like the number of questions correct, but also the difficulty of those questions and the performance of other test-takers in that specific administration, can influence the scaled score.
The formula for the total SAT score is straightforward:
Total SAT Score = Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score + Math Score
This calculator takes your predicted or actual scores for each section and directly sums them to provide your total SAT score, ranging from 400 to 1600.
Why Use an SAT Score Calculator?
An SAT score calculator serves several purposes:
Estimation: Students preparing for the SAT can use practice test scores or their current understanding of their strengths to estimate their potential total score.
Goal Setting: Knowing the target total score (e.g., 1300, 1450) can help students set realistic study goals and focus their efforts on specific sections.
College Comparison: Many colleges provide SAT score ranges for admitted students. This calculator can help prospective applicants gauge their competitiveness for specific institutions.
Understanding Score Components: It reinforces the understanding that the total score is an aggregate of two distinct, but equally important, section scores.
While this calculator provides a simple sum, remember that individual colleges often look at section scores and may have minimum requirements for EBRW or Math.
function calculateSatScore() {
var readingScoreInput = document.getElementById("readingScore");
var mathScoreInput = document.getElementById("mathScore");
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var readingScore = parseFloat(readingScoreInput.value);
var mathScore = parseFloat(mathScoreInput.value);
if (isNaN(readingScore) || isNaN(mathScore)) {
resultDiv.innerText = "Please enter valid numbers for both scores.";
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
return;
}
// Validate score ranges
if (readingScore 800 || mathScore 800) {
resultDiv.innerText = "Scores must be between 0 and 800 for each section.";
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
return;
}
var totalScore = readingScore + mathScore;
resultDiv.innerText = "Total SAT Score: " + totalScore;
resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#28a745"; // Green for success
}