While your SAT/ACT score report provides a lot of helpful feedback on your test performance, it can be difficult to make sense of the numbers. Both the SAT and ACT use scaled scores and percentiles to show how you did. It’s important to understand how the scoring works so that you can use your test prep energy most effectively.
Scaled scores and percentiles function differently than the grades students may be accustomed to receiving on tests in high school: traditional tests count your correct answers and divide that number by the total number of questions on the test. For example, if you answer 44 out of 58 questions correctly on a test in school, 44/58 would give you a grade of 76% or a C.
The SAT and ACT handle scores in different ways. Scaled scores and percentiles take into account not only how you did but also how the other test-takers did on the same test. Here's how it all works.
ACT scoring
To calculate your individual section scores, ACT starts with the number of questions you answer correctly, also known as your raw score. If you answer 44 out of 58 questions correctly on a section of the test, your raw score for that section is 44.
Your raw score for each section is then converted into a scaled score. On the ACT, each scaled score is a number out of 36.
- You'll get a scaled score out of 36 for each of the four multiple-choice sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science (optional).
- The English, Math, and scaled scores are averaged (added up and divided by 3) to give you your composite score. Note that the optional Science section score is not factored into the composite. Example: if I earn scaled scores of 32 in English, 27 in Math, and 31 in Reading, my composite score is 30 because (32+27+31)/3 = 30.
The ACT score conversion table looks like this:
On the ACT, there are a total of 50 questions in the English section, 45 questions in the Math section, 36 questions in the Reading section, and 40 questions in the Science section. However, you may notice that in the chart above, students earn perfect scores when they correctly answer 40 English questions, 40–41 Math questions, 27 Reading questions, and 34 Science questions. That's because some questions in each section are experimental, and students' responses to these questions do not contribute to the scaled score. These questions are not labeled as experimental within the test, so students should treat each question as if it contributes to the final score.
SAT scoring
SAT scoring is a little bit more complex because the SAT is an adaptive test. This means that it analyzes a student’s performance and respond in real time, calibrating to each student’s skill level in order to zero in on their score more quickly.
How does this work? The Math and Reading & Writing sections are each split into two sets of questions, called modules. Each section’s first module will include a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. How the student does on these questions will determine the difficulty level of the second module in that section. The student’s performance on the first module will also lock their score for that section into a certain range.
For example, if a student has a strong performance on the first math module, they might have the opportunity to score within the 440-800 range on that section as a whole, whereas if they don’t answer enough questions correctly on the first module, it might not be possible to make up enough ground on the second to break 600.
As a result, SAT scores are not calculated by simply adding up the number of a student's correct answers and using a score conversion chart to find the scaled score. The SAT's complex scoring algorithm takes into account not only how many questions were answered correctly, but also which questions were answered correctly and what their level of difficulty was.
Percentiles
Your percentile rank represents the percentage of students whose score is equal to or lower than yours. An SAT math score of 650, for example, puts you in the 90th percentile, meaning 90% of test-takers earned scores at or below yours.
On the SAT, two percentiles will show up on your official score report. The Nationally Representative Sample Percentile represents all U.S. students in grades 11 and 12, regardless of whether those students typically take the SAT. The SAT User Percentile is based on the actual scores of high school students who took the SAT during the previous academic year. You can take a deeper look at those numbers here.
On the ACT, you'll also see two separate percentiles: a U.S. Rank and a State Rank. Your ranks represent the percentages of recent high school graduates in the U.S. and recent high school graduates in your state who took the ACT and earned scores equal to or lower than yours. You can take a deeper look at those numbers here.
Why does this matter?
Understanding how to interpret your scores puts you in a better position to use your test prep energy effectively.
- You may realize it'll be easier for you to improve your scaled score in one area than in another, resulting in greater score gains in a shorter period of time.
- Furthermore, knowing what the percentiles mean can help you set realistic goals that make sense in the context of your long-term plans.
Still confused about what your scores mean for you? We're here to help! The team of experts at ArborBridge is happy to help you analyze your results, so don't hesitate to reach out.
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