What is the SAT? How is it scored?

The SAT is a standardized test administered to high schoolers to judge proficiency in Reading, Writing, and Math. Most colleges and universities use the SAT as one of the primary factors for making college admissions decisions.

Your SAT score is broken down into two sections, Verbal and Math. Each section is scored separately, on a scale of 200-800. The maximum total score is a 1600.

What’s on the SAT?

The SAT is made up of four sections: two Verbal sections and two Math Sections. Each section includes a variety of skills and content…

• Verbal Sections: The Verbal Sections are made up of of short passages, each accompanied by a single question. For some Verbal questions, students are tested on their comprehension of the passage; for others, students are tested on their writing and language skills.

• The Math sections include a mix of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Data Analysis questions, with mostly Multiple Choice questions and a few free response Grid-In questions. Students are allowed to use a calculator and scrap paper on both sections.

The Digital SAT Format

The SAT is no longer a pencil-and-paper test. Recently, the SAT switched to a digital format. This is a major change, and there’s a lot for students to know. Check out the Digital SAT Guide on our website.

When should I take the SAT?

Students should take their first SAT at some point in their Junior year—ambitious students and student athletes will test the summer before Junior year, while some students prefer to wait until the second semester of their Junior year. Most importantly, pick a test date you have time to prepare for (check out our prep course calendars).

Can I take the SAT more than once?

Yes! In fact, most students do end up testing more than once. On average, students end up taking the SAT 2-3 times. Here’s what we recommend—after you prepare, take your first SAT. This is your most serious round of testing. After that, you can use your first-round scores to decide whether you want to retest, when to take the SAT again, and what topics to focus on the most.

How does Superscoring work?

You may have heard the term Superscore before. It’s an increasingly common practice whereby universities accept the top scores from individual sections of your SAT to construct a higher Superscore that they’ll consider for admissions. Here’s how it works…

Should I prepare for the SAT?

Yes! Every student should do some sort of test prep leading up to their SAT. Students can join a test prep class, hire a private tutor, or self-prep.

At Capstone Education, we offer great SAT prep classes every season of the year. Call us to discuss the best time for you to prepare for and take the SAT.

What about Test-Optional admissions?

Many schools are test-optional: you don't need an SAT score to get into your dream school. Even though you're not required to submit one, a good SAT score is still extremely valuable!

Most counselors recommend still taking the SAT, as it will give you greater flexibility and options when choosing your college list.

What’s a good SAT score?

A good SAT score depends on the college you're applying to and your starting score. If you can submit a score above the college's average admitted SAT score, you'll increase your odds of being accepted and earning scholarship funds.

Through prep, students can aim to improve their SAT score by 100-200 points from their starting point (Capstone’s average score improvement is 160 points). Call us to learn more about about what your goal should be and how Capstone can help you achieve it.