What Do My Scores Mean?
Score Summary
On your score report PDF, you can view the three scores available from your assessment—total score, Reading and Writing section score, and Math section score. If you took the SAT with Essay as part of state in-school testing, you will see those scores as well.
Here's what you can expect to see on your official score report PDF:
| Assessment | SAT | SAT with Essay | PSAT/NMSQT | PSAT 10 | PSAT 8/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Score | 400–1600 | 400–1600 | 320–1520 | 320–1520 | 240–1440 |
| Section Scores | 200–800 | 200–800 | 160–760 | 160–760 | 120–720 |
| Additional Items | Essay scores reported separately on a scale of 2–8 | NMSC Selection Index Score on a scale of 48–228 |
You'll also see a Score Range, which shows how much your scores would likely vary if you took a different administration of the test under identical conditions, and percentiles that compare your scores to other students who took the same test. Read the Understanding Scores resources on this page for more details, and check out the accordions below for more information that only applies to specific tests.
Knowledge and Skills
In the Knowledge and Skills section of the score report PDF, you'll see a graphic that represents your performance on each of the eight content areas measured on the test. There are four content areas in Reading and Writing and four in Math.
For each content area, you'll see:
- The approximate number of questions in the content area.
- The percentage of the section covered by that area (e.g., 12—14 Information and Ideas questions would be about 26% of the Reading and Writing section).
- A visual indication of how you performed in each content area.
You can use this section to identify content areas you may want to focus on to practice and improve.
Discover Growing Careers
Your score report may have you thinking about what comes next. If you live in the United States, your score report PDF will include Career Insights Snapshot—a list of growing careers in your state that connect to your scores.
These careers are examples, not recommendations, and the list on your score report can show you more about what careers are out there and key aspects of a job, like if it requires a college degree.
You may be curious about a career on the list—or maybe none of the options feel like a great fit. That's okay! The insights can help you start thinking about what you might want to do after high school. If you checked your Career Insights Snapshot on BigFuture School, learn more about any career that sparks your interest. Simply navigate to "Career Explorer" to discover more possibilities. If you saw your Career Insights Snapshot on your score report PDF, take the short career quiz to find careers that reflect your interests.
Each job on your score report:
- Is growing in your state, meaning there are jobs available.
- Pays a living wage because we know salary is important.
- Requires more education after high school, in some cases college but not in all.
- Spans a variety of interest areas: Doers, Helpers, Creators, Organizers, Persuaders, Thinkers.
- Connects to the math, reading, and writing skills you demonstrated on the test because every job has a set of measurable skills.
for PSAT/NMSQT only
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) uses NMSC Selection Index scores to screen students who enter its scholarship programs. Your score is calculated by doubling your Reading and Writing Score, adding it to your Math score, then dividing that sum by 10.
After reviewing your Selection Index score on page 1 of your score report PDF, you can go to page 2 to read more information about your eligibility for the National Merit® Scholarship Program and how scholarship recipients are determined by NMSC.
for SAT School Day, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10
If you attend school in the United States (or a non-U.S. DODEA school) and provided a mobile phone number during in-school testing when you took the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, or PSAT 10, you can also download the BigFuture® School mobile app and you'll get a text message when your scores are available to view.
In the app, you’ll see all of the same information available on the score report PDF. You’ll also have access to additional information, including:
- More detailed score insights and percentile data.
- Resources about scholarships, financial aid, and planning for college or careers.
- Connections™: Eligible students may also have the option to hear from nonprofit colleges and scholarship programs by opting in to this feature.
for SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10
As always, students age 13 and older may use a personal College Board student account to view additional insights online. You can view your section level benchmarks, which provide information about college and career readiness, with links to resources to help you analyze which skills to focus on.