New SAT Scores 2019-20 Are Now Available! Know What Your Scores Mean

Is the new SAT Scores required for all students? In this article. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about the SAT’s New Format, SAT Scoring Scale, Average SAT Score Chart Percentile details, etc.

New SAT Scores
NewSATScores

What the new SAT is all about?

Since it was first introduced in 1926, the SAT has changed format a few times. The SAT was redesigned in 2016. We encourage all students and families to learn more about the new SAT by utilizing the extensive resources on the College Board website.

Major changes in the new SAT

1) Test Structure and Testing Time

The new SAT is comprised of two sections, 154 total questions, and an optional essay:

  • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
  • Math
  • Essay (optional)

The previous test was comprised of three sections, 170 total questions, and a required essay:

  • Critical Reading
  • Writing
  • Math
  • Essay (required)

The New SAT Test is 3 hours plus an additional 50 minutes for the optional essay. The previous version, which included the mandatory essay, was 3 hours and 45 minutes long.

2) Scoring

The SAT will return to the original scoring scale of 1600, comprised of 800 for both the math and evidence-based reading and writing sections. But in old SAT exam was 2400 scale.

The essay is scored separately, and a student can achieve a perfect score of 1600 without taking the essay.

3) Guessing Penalty

The guessing penalty for incorrect answers has been eliminated (it means no negative marking for wrong guess). Previously, a student lost ¼ of a point for every incorrect answer.

So, now students can feel more comfortable to attempt to problem solve even the most challenging items without fear of being penalized for a wrong answer.

It is in a student’s best interest to guess on unanswered questions, even if it means filling in random answer choices.

4) Multiple-choice Options

The number of options on MCQs will decrease from 5 to 4. The chances of guessing correctly will increase and students won’t have to spend as much time reviewing the answer choices.

Please note that the mathematics section includes 13 student-produced response problems that are not impacted by this change.

5) Calculators

The use of calculators will be limited to certain math questions. Previously, students were able to use calculators on the entire math section.

How to read your SAT Score

As per new guidelines, SAT will be now scored out of 1600 with only 2 sections which include:

  • Math
  • Evidence-based Reading and Writing.
  • Total Score – Sum of two section scores – between 400 and 1600.
  • Section scores (2) – Evidence Based Reading and Writing, and Math – between 200 and 800.
  • Test Scores (3) – Reading, Writing and Language, Math – between 10 and 40.
  • SAT Essay Scores (3) – Reading, Analysis And Writing – between 2 and 8.

Note: In addition, Test takers have the option of taking an essay at the end of SAT. The optional essay requires students to produce a written analysis of the text provided. Test takers get 50 minutes to write the essay. The score ranges from 2-8 for each of the three dimensions of the essay. These essay results are reported separately.

New SAT Scores Release Dates 2019-2020

SAT Test DateSAT Scores Release DateSAT Essay Scores Release Date
March 9, 2019March 22, 2019March 24, 2019
May 4, 2019May 17, 2019May 19, 2019
June 1, 2019July 10, 2019July 14, 2019

SAT Scores Release Dates 2017-2018

SAT Test DateScores Sent to CollegesScores Available to Students
August 26, 2017September 14, 2017September 15, 2017
October 7, 2017October 19, 2017October 20, 2017
November 4, 2017November 16, 2017November 17, 2017
December 2, 2017December 14, 2017December 15, 2017
January 20, 2018February 14, 2018February 15, 2018
March 10, 2018March 22, 2018March 23, 2018
May 5, 2018May 17, 2018May 18, 2018
June 2, 2018July 10, 2018July 11, 2018

New SAT Scores Required For Top 25 Colleges

Name Of CollegesNew SAT Scores (25th – 75th Percentile)Average SAT Scores
California Institute of Technology1530-16001540
University of Chicago1500-15901520
Harvard University1470-16001510
Yale University1490-16001530
Washington University in St. Louis1460-15801510
Princeton University1470-15901510
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)1480-15901510
Vanderbilt University1480-15901510
Columbia University1470-15901500
Stanford University1450-15901500
Northwestern University1450-15701500
Duke University1470-15901490
Dartmouth College1430-15801490
University of Pennsylvania1450-15701490
Rice University1450-15701490
Tufts University1440-15501480
Johns Hopkins University1450-15601480
Brown University1410-15701490
University of Notre Dame1440-15401490
Carnegie Mellon University1430-15601490
Northeastern University1400-15301470
Cornell University1390-15501460
Colorado School of Mines1390-14501410
Georgia Institute of Technology1380-15301450
Emory University1370-15101430

 SAT Score Uses

There is not a single method to admissions and how SAT scores might be used in the process. The following list explains some of the ways SAT scores might be used at different colleges and universities in United Sates (U.S.). They are

  • Use SAT scores to better understand other info in an applicant’s folder, such as grades & courses taken.
  • Take in SAT scores as one element in an admissions index to determine basic qualifications
  • Analysis SAT scores to identify students who might be in danger and who might benefit from special counsellors, developmental programs.
  • Recruit students who have SAT scores similar to those of accepted or enrolled students at that organization.

For more details, visit the College Board website

More Articles

SAT Exam Information Wiki

SAT Exam Pattern 2019- 2020

New SAT Exam Syllabus PDF

Average SAT Scores for Colleges 

SAT Test 2019-2020 Dates and Deadlines

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