# How is the SAT scored? | 1600.now Source: https://1600.now/sat-faq/how-is-the-sat-scored --- Scores and interpretation SAT Reading and Writing and Math each receive a 200–800 score; adding them gives a 400–1600 total. Digital scoring uses responses across both modules and question characteristics, so a correct-answer count alone cannot determine the score. Written by [Luke Finigan](https://1600.now/about) 2 min read Updated Oct 2, 2026 ### Read the reported scores first If Reading and Writing is 650 and Math is 710, the total is $650+710=1360$. Percentiles and knowledge-and-skills indicators give additional context; they are not added to the total. The official report is the result to send or self-report under a college’s instructions. A third-party score calculator is an estimate and cannot reconstruct College Board’s model from the number missed. ### How adaptivity affects what you see The first module contains questions of mixed difficulty. Your performance there helps determine the second module’s difficulty mix. Both modules contribute to the section result. There is no universal published “miss no more than X” routing rule to use during the test. Answer the active module, keep moving when stuck, and avoid guessing your score from how difficult the next module feels. ### Why there is no fixed points-per-question rule College Board uses item response theory, taking question characteristics and response patterns into account. Equal numbers of correct answers can therefore yield different scores. Each module also contains two pretest items that do not affect scoring. Use accuracy to identify skills that need practice. Use an official [full-length practice test](https://1600.now/sat-practice-tests) for a scaled practice result. Those two measurements answer different questions. ### Sources and current rules - [College Board: how scores are calculated](https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/scores/what-scores-mean/how-scores-calculated) - [College Board: understanding score reports](https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/scores/what-scores-mean) ### Related SAT answers - **[Is the SAT curved?](https://1600.now/sat-faq/is-the-sat-curved)** The SAT is not graded on a classroom-style curve against the people testing that day. College Board uses statistical scoring and equating to put different test forms on a comparable scale. - **[What is an SAT percentile?](https://1600.now/sat-faq/what-is-a-sat-percentile)** An SAT percentile compares your score with a defined group. A 90th percentile means 90% of that group scored at or below your score; it does not mean you answered 90% of the questions correctly. - **[What is a perfect SAT score?](https://1600.now/sat-faq/what-is-a-perfect-sat-score)** A perfect SAT total is 1600: 800 in Reading and Writing plus 800 in Math. The total is a scaled score, so it is not a public count of how many questions you answered correctly. [Browse SAT resources →](https://1600.now/sat-resources)