Test scores and subscores provide a detailed view of student performance on exams in the SAT Suite of Assessments.
Score reports use color-coded score ranges to pinpoint skill-level strengths and weaknesses so educators can help students meet the College Career Readiness Benchmarks.
Test scores and subscores fall within one of three score ranges:
- Green: Score meets or exceeds benchmark
- Yellow: Score is within 1 year’s academic growth of the benchmark
- Red: Score is below the benchmark by more than1 year’s academic growth.
How Color-Coded Score Ranges Are Computed
The values for green test and subscore score ranges are based on the average test scores and subscores of all test takers who met or exceeded the corresponding benchmark for their grade.
Yellow and red score range values are based on scores of test takers who didn’t meet the corresponding benchmark for their previous grade. Their average test scores and subscores determine the highest score in the red range. Students who score above this average and below the green range fall in the yellow range.
Test Scores
Test scores show how students performed on the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests.
SAT Test Score Ranges
10–40 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Reading |
10–20 |
21–29 |
30–40 |
| Writing and Language |
10–20 |
21–30 |
31–40 |
| Math |
10–22 |
22.5–31 |
31.5–40 |
11th Grade Test Score Ranges
8–38 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Reading |
8–19 |
20–28 |
29–38 |
| Writing and Language |
8–18 |
19–28 |
29–38 |
| Math |
8–20.5 |
21–29.5 |
30–38 |
10th Grade Test Score Ranges
8–38 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Reading |
8–18 |
19–26 |
27–38 |
| Writing and Language |
8–17 |
18–26 |
27–38 |
| Math |
8–19.5 |
20–27.5 |
28–38 |
9th Grade Test Score Ranges
6–36 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Reading |
6–18 |
19–25 |
26–36 |
| Writing and Language |
6 -16 |
17–25 |
26–36 |
| Math |
6–18 |
18.5–25.5 |
26–36 |
8th Grade Test Score Ranges
6–36 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Reading |
6–17 |
18–23 |
24–36 |
| Writing and Language |
6–16 |
17–23 |
24–36 |
| Math |
6–17.5 |
18–24 |
24.5–36 |
Subscores
Subscore ranges and colors provide detail about skill levels.
SAT Subscore Ranges
1–15 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Command of Evidence |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Words in Context |
1–6 |
7–11 |
12–15 |
| Expression of Ideas |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Standard English Conventions |
1–5 |
6–10 |
11–15 |
| Heart of Algebra |
1–6 |
7–11 |
12–15 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis |
1–6 |
7–11 |
12–15 |
| Passport to Advanced Math |
1–6 |
7–11 |
12–15 |
11th Grade Subscore Ranges
1–15 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Command of Evidence |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Words in Context |
1–5 |
6–10 |
11–15 |
| Expression of Ideas |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Standard English Conventions |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Heart of Algebra |
1–6 |
7–11 |
12–15 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis |
1–7 |
8–11 |
12–15 |
| Passport to Advanced Math |
1–7 |
8–11 |
12–15 |
10th Grade Subscore Ranges
1–15 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Command of Evidence |
1–6 |
7–9 |
10–15 |
| Words in Context |
1–5 |
6–9 |
10–15 |
| Expression of Ideas |
1–6 |
7–9 |
10–15 |
| Standard English Conventions |
1–5 |
6–9 |
10 -15 |
| Heart of Algebra |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Passport to Advanced Math |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
9th Grade Subscore Ranges
1–15 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Command of Evidence |
1–5 |
6–9 |
10–15 |
| Words in Context |
1–4 |
5–10 |
11–15 |
| Expression of Ideas |
1–5 |
6–10 |
11–15 |
| Standard English Conventions |
1–5 |
6–9 |
10–15 |
| Heart of Algebra |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Passport to Advanced Math |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
8th Grade Subscore Ranges
1–15 Score Scale
| |
Red |
Yellow |
Green |
| Command of Evidence |
1–5 |
6–9 |
10–15 |
| Words in Context |
1–4 |
5–9 |
10–15 |
| Expression of Ideas |
1–4 |
5–9 |
10–15 |
| Standard English Conventions |
1–4 |
5–8 |
9–15 |
| Heart of Algebra |
1–6 |
7–9 |
10–15 |
| Problem Solving and Data Analysis |
1–6 |
7–10 |
11–15 |
| Passport to Advanced Math |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Taking Action to Improve Skills
Turn benchmark, test score, and subscore feedback into an action plan. Use it to inform instructional and curricular enhancements and strengthen teaching.
Help students:
- Review the Skills Insight™ section of student score reports. Skills Insight includes score-based recommendations for improvement.
- Review test questions and answer explanations. Student score reports show which questions students got right, which they got wrong, and the correct answer.
- Share scores with Khan Academy® for personalized, world-class practice and instruction.