You’ve taken the new Digital SAT® Test and received your scores. But how are these scores calculated? You can compare your score to the national average by knowing how SAT® Test scores are calculated.
Total SAT® Test Score
Total SAT® Test scores range from 400 to 1600. Your total score is the sum of your section scores. In other words, your SAT® Test score is a total score calculated on two section scores: Reading & Writing and Math. (The SAT® Essay score, used by some high schools, is calculated separately.)
Section SAT® Test Scores
Scores for the Reading & Writing, and Math sections each range from 200 to 800. Your raw score—the number of questions you answered correctly—is converted to the section score.
The SAT® Test calculates scores based on your correct answers. Consequently, there is no penalty for incorrect answers. So NEVER leave any questions blank.
Benchmark Indicators
You gain perspective on your future success in college by looking at the benchmark icon. First, take note of an exclamation point in the benchmark area. This shows that you are below the benchmark (480 for Reading & Writing and 530 for Math). As a result, you will want to focus on prep for the SAT® Test if you intend to retake the test.
Percent Indicators
Percentiles show the percentage of students who scored equal to or below your score. These scores are helpful if you want to compare your score to other SAT® Test takers. SAT® percentile scores are a number between 1 and 99. In other words, this score represents the percentage of students whose scores are equal to or below yours. For example, if your Math percentile is 68, 68% of test-takers have Math scores equal to or below yours.
2025 Average SAT® Test Scores
After all SAT® Test 2025 scores were calculated, the average score was 1029. Comparatively, the 2023 average SAT® Test score was 1028. You can check out how you stand with other SAT® Test scores at the College Board 2025 Annual Report.
You can also use our OnToCollege Score Converter to see how you compare to other applicants at your target college.
Improving your SAT® Test Score
Practice and preparation are two of the most significant ways to improve your SAT® Test score. Above all, find prep for the SAT® Test that’s fun and engaging and gives you strategies to help you take the test. Not all test prep is created equal, so make sure you do your research, read reviews, and look past flashy guarantees.
OnToCollege offers a practical video course that gives you the strategies you need and provides practice tests and detailed solution videos to help you learn from your mistakes.
In addition, make sure you use actual SAT® practice tests to learn the test format as you study. Then, take the national SAT® Test multiple times. We recommend you take it four times: twice your junior year and twice your senior year.
Want to get started? Sign up for the OnToCollege Prep for the SAT® Test free trial to start your test prep at no cost!
