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Filling in the blanks on SAT

Students who took the new SAT when it debuted in March can get their scores this week, but they may need help with the results.

By DAVID KARP
Published April 13, 2005

The numbers on the nation's oldest college admissions test have changed.

A score of 1,100 on the old SAT now looks more like a 1,650. And the 1,600 score that used to mean perfection doesn't anymore. A perfect score on the new test is 2,400.

Here is some information to help you understand what the new results mean:

Where do I find my scores?

Most students can get them at www.collegeboard.com Some scores won't be available online until Monday. During normal business hours, you can also call (609) 771-7600, though it costs $10 to get results that way. All scores will be mailed out Monday.

How do I read the scores?

Students will get a score of between 200 and 800 for three sections - math, critical reading and writing. The results for the writing section include a breakdown of your performance on the essay and multiple choice components of the section.

What do the new scores mean?

Everyone is trying to figure that out. This is the first time the new SAT has been administered so the College Board has yet to establish benchmarks. It won't until August 2006, after a full year of testing. For now, the College Board suggests looking at each score separately, rather than totaling them. A 500 score on the new math section is equivalent to 500 on the old math section. A 600 on the new critical reading section is equivalent to a 600 on the old verbal section. There are no benchmarks for the new writing test.

How do the new scores compare with the old scores?

The College Board says you can't compare total scores on the old SAT to the new SAT. But people will do it anyway, so the Princeton Review has printed a chart that makes these rough comparisons:

Old SAT Score... New SAT Score

1600 ... 2400

1400 ... 2040

1300 ... 1920

1200 ... 1760

1100 ... 1650

1000 ... 1500

900 ... 1350

How will colleges judge the scores?

That varies, so ask the colleges where you are applying. The University of Florida, for example, will consider the new SAT writing score. The University of South Florida won't, but admissions officers there may read your essay. Florida State University will decide later how to weigh the new writing score.

Will the new scores affect if I get a Bright Futures scholarships?

Not yet. The Florida Department of Education will look for the same scores on the new math and critical reading sections as they did on the old math and verbal sections.

What are the new average and median scores?

The College Board won't say until August 2006.

How is the essay scored?

You will get a score of between 2 and 12. Two graders judge your essay on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being best. You can see an image of your essay online.

Did anyone get a perfect score?

Yes, 107 students in the U.S. got a perfect 2,400.

[Last modified April 13, 2005, 07:25:49]