Understanding SAT Scores
Curious about how the Digital SAT® is scored? This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about SAT scores, including how the Reading and Writing (RW) and Math (M) sections contribute to your overall score. We’ll also cover the score range, the process of converting raw scores to scaled scores, and when scores are released.
How Is the Digital SAT Scored?
Although the Digital SAT has transitioned from a paper format, its scoring system remains largely the same. The test is scored on a scale from 400 to 1600, with 400 being the minimum and 1600 the maximum. Your total score is calculated by adding the scores from both the Reading and Writing section and the Math section. Each of these sections is divided into two separately timed adaptive modules, and the scores from these modules are combined to get the total section score.
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SAT Raw Score Conversion
Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so it’s beneficial to guess if you’re unsure, as it increases your chances of getting it right by 25%.
Section | No. of Questions | Raw Score Range |
Reading and Writing | 54 | 0-54 |
Math | 44 | 0-44 |
On the Digital SAT, both the difficulty level of each question and the specific skills it assesses are taken into account when determining your score. In the second module of each section, you’ll face questions tailored to your proficiency level. To achieve a high overall score, aim to answer as many questions correctly across all difficulty levels.
What Are Scaled Scores?
After calculating your raw scores, they are converted to a standardized score ranging between 200 and 800. This converted score is known as the scaled score. You receive two scaled scores: one for the RW section and another for the Math section. The College Board® sets this conversion scale, which generally remains consistent year to year, although it may vary slightly depending on the difficulty of the test. For instance, a raw score of 42 might equate to an 800 in some administrations, whereas in others, you might need a perfect raw score of 44 to achieve the same scaled score. This process, known as “equating,” ensures the fairness and validity of the exam scores.
Formula for Calculating Digital SAT Scores

Let’s delve into how the RW and Math section scores are calculated.
How are digital SAT sections scored?
Each section is evaluated on a scale ranging from 200 to 800. Here’s how the raw scores from the RW and Math sections are converted into scaled scores:
RW Section Scoring Structure
Your raw scores from Module 1 and Module 2 are combined, then the total raw score is converted into a scaled score between 200 and 800.

Math Section Scoring Structure
Similarly, your raw scores from Module 1 and Module 2 in the Math section are combined and converted into a scaled score between 200 and 800.

Digital SAT Score Release Dates 2024-2025
Knowing the Digital SAT score release dates is crucial for tracking when your scores will be available. Typically, SAT scores are released two to three weeks after the test date. Here are the release dates for the upcoming tests:
Test Date | Score Release Date |
August 24, 2024 | September 6, 2024 |
October 5, 2024 | October 18, 2024 |
November 2, 2024 | November 15, 2024 |
December 7, 2024 | December 20, 2024 |
How to Get Digital SAT Scores
There are three ways to access your Digital SAT scores:
- Online: The easiest way is through the College Board website by logging into your My SAT account.
- By Mail: If you registered by mail and don’t have a College Board account, you’ll receive your scores on paper via mail.
- By Phone:For a fee, you can receive your scores by phone by calling (866) 756-7346.
For more details on how to view your Digital SAT scores and what to expect on score release day, check our blog on interpreting the Digital SAT score report.
Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)
Is the Digital SAT scored on a 1600-point scale?
Yes, the Digital SAT is graded on a scale of 1600. The scores on the Digital SAT mean the same as those on the SAT, so no conversion is necessary. For example, a score of 1150 on the Digital SAT test would be equivalent to an 1150 on the paper and pencil test.
What does "Digital SAT percentiles" refer to?
The Digital SAT percentiles range from 1 to 99 and represent the percentage of students who did better or worse than you on the test. To learn about score percentiles, read our blog on What Digital SAT percentiles mean.
What is the average Digital SAT score?
The average Digital SAT score is calculated by adding the total score of all the test takers divided by the total number of students who took the test in a particular year. For example, the average SAT scores were 1050 in 2022 and 1028 in 2023.
What is a good Digital SAT score?
A good Digital SAT score is determined by the average score of a particular year. Since the average score for the SAT (both versions) in 2023 was 1028, any score above this would be considered relatively good. However, you should remember that any score that makes you a competitive candidate at the college of your choice is a “good score.”
What is a bad Digital SAT score?
Your score report includes a benchmark displaying your readiness for college-level coursework. Falling the 25th percentile (870 or lower) is considered below average.
How can I send my Digital SAT scores to colleges?
Your SAT score report can be sent directly through the College Board. If you choose to have the score report sent before the scores are released, you will have four free submissions. If you prefer to send your official score report after the SAT score release dates, you must pay a fee. To know about this process in detail, read our blog on sending Digital SAT scores to colleges.
Can colleges use Digital SAT scores the same way as before?
Yes, Digital SAT scores are directly comparable to SAT scores. Colleges can use Digital SAT scores in the same way as they used paper-and-pencil SAT scores.
How does superscoring work?
SAT superscoring is a method of score interpretation that lets you select your best section scores from multiple test dates to get a new composite score. For the Digital SAT, colleges would take a student’s best RW score and their best Math score from multiple exams to credit the student with the highest possible SAT score. To know more about how your Digital SAT is superscored.
How long are SAT scores valid?
The Digital SAT scores and paper-and-pencil SAT scores are valid forever. However, colleges might not consider scores that are older than five years. In such a situation, consider retaking the Digital SAT. Remember to check with your prospective college on their SAT score policies.
What SAT score is required for a full scholarship?
Each scholarship program for SAT test takers will have its requirements. However, the higher you score, the better your opportunity of being rewarded with a valuable scholarship.
How do I cancel SAT scores?
You can cancel SAT scores (both versions) at the testing location by requesting a Cancellation Form immediately after finishing your exam or sending it via mail
How do I verify my SAT score?
You can request score verification tools from the College Board using two options: Question and Answer Services and Student Answer Services. To learn about these score verification services.
Which holds more weight: a strong GPA or a high SAT score?
SAT scores (both versions) are considered useful for getting admission into competitive colleges and majors. However, good grades are a significant representation of your hard work and dedication in high school. Although college admissions officers consider your high school GPA and SAT score during admission, a low GPA could be balanced by a high SAT score.