Tuesday, July 26, 2016

What do Redesigned SAT Scores Mean?

In March of 2016, the CollegeBoard launched a redesigned SAT test. This test has many changes over the previous version and I’ve written about those previously. Another big change to the SAT is the results and scores that are issued. After a student takes a test, they’ll receive one Total Score, two Section Scores, two Cross-Test Scores, three Test Scores, and seven Subscores. Yeah, it’s complicated.
Let’s start with the Section Scores. These are easy and are what people are used to with the SAT. Evidence Based Reading and Writing (what some used to call verbal) is scored on a scale of 200-800, Math is the same, scored 200-800. What’s your SAT Math Score? I got a 550. Simple, right? The Total Score is just the sum of the two section scores. What’s your SAT Score? Well, I got a 550 in Math and 600 in Evidence Based Reading and Writing, so an 1150. Okay, those are the easy scores and most people are familiar with those.
Now it gets more complicated. Within both the Evidence Based Reading and Writing and Math there are select questions that are designed to not only evaluate a student’s verbal and math skills but also their Analysis of Science and Analysis of History/Social Studies. These special questions pull double duty and cross two areas. Thus two Cross-Test Scores in Science and History/Social Studies are presented on a scale of 10-40.
Next there are Test Scores. These are presented on a scale of 10-40 as well. The Math score here is really the same as the Math Section Score, just on a different scale. However, The Evidence Based Reading and Writing is separated here into Reading and Writing & Language. This lets a student see where they stand just in Reading and just in Writing & Language.
Lastly, we have Subscores. These further break down the Test Scores into little pieces. Math is broken into Problem Solving & Data Analysis, Passport to Advanced Mathematics, and Heart of Algebra.The Evidence Based Reading and Writing is broken into Words in Context, Command of Evidence, Expression of Ideas, and Standard English Conventions. These seven Subscores are presented on a scale of 1-15 and they really do help a student pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses.
It’s worth noting that the SAT also offers an optional essay. The essay scores do not factor into the above scores whatsoever. They are completely separate. The essay score has three components; reading, analysis, and writing. Each component is graded on a scale of 2-8.
It’s yet to be seen how individual colleges and universities will use these various scores or whether they will at all. Whatever the case, these detailed score reports provide more insight into a student’s academic abilities. This level of detail can be a great asset to a student looking to improve weak areas or even one who is trying to find a career field that might be a good fit. This information is going to be there on future SAT score reports. Make sure it’s put to good use.