March 2020

Question-and-
Answer Service
Student Guide
Ideas for using the QAS report

The answer key for the test you took

Instructions for scoring your test

NOT FOR REPRODUCTION OR RESALE.

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1 Using Your QAS Report
1 Scoring Your Test
1 Learning from Your SAT Experience
2 Scoring Your SAT
2 Scores Overview
2 How to Calculate Your Test Scores
2 Get Section and Total Scores
4 Answer Key – Determine Raw Scores
6 Get Cross-Test Scores
8 Get Subscores
11 Conversion Tables
14 The SAT Essay
15 Essay Scoring Guide

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Introduction
Congratulations on taking the SAT®. Your Question-and-Answer Service
(QAS) for the March 2020 SAT includes three parts: this guide, which
will help you understand your scores; a copy of the test you took; and a
customized QAS report that lists these details about each question:
▶▶ answer you gave
▶▶ best or correct answer
▶▶ question type
▶▶ difficulty level

USING YOUR QAS REPORT

▶▶ With the report in hand, read each question in your test booklet, then
check your results. Look at questions you answered incorrectly to see
whether you might have misread the question or mismarked the answer.
▶▶ Print your online score report at studentscores.collegeboard.org to
keep track of how you did on the different types of questions. This
can help you understand your academic strengths and identify areas
for improvement.
▶▶ If you think you detect errors in how you recorded your answers—for
example, a group of questions you recall answering differently than
what you see on the report—you may want to consider ordering a
more rigorous form of score verification. See sat.org/verify-scores for
more details.
▶▶ If you took the optional SAT Essay, view a copy of your essay online
at collegeboard.org/viewessay. Take a look at the Essay scoring
information on pages 14–16 of this guide to help you interpret
your scores.

SCORING YOUR TEST

Use the scoring information and score conversion tables on pages 4–13 to
verify the score on your test. The scoring worksheets and score conversion
tables are specific to the test you took. Don’t try to score any other tests
using them.

LEARNING FROM YOUR SAT EXPERIENCE

Now that you’re familiar with the test, you should have a better sense
of the kinds of questions you’ll see on the SAT. You’re also likely to be
more comfortable with the test-taking process, including the time limits.
If you’re thinking of taking the test again, consider that on average,
students who take the SAT a second time see an increase in their scores.
In addition, your test results are a powerful tool for getting personalized
instruction to improve your scores. At satpractice.org you can access
Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®, where you can use your actual
SAT results to receive practice recommendations tailored to help you work
on the areas you need to focus on. Visit satpractice.org to learn more.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Scoring Your SAT

SCORES OVERVIEW
The SAT provides detailed information about your learning. Each of the
SAT Suite of Assessments (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and PSAT™ 8/9)
reports test scores and cross-test scores on a common scale. Additionally,
subscores provide more diagnostic information. For more details about
scores, visit sat.org/scores.

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR TEST SCORES

Get Set Up
1. You’ll need the customized QAS report with your answers. You’ll also
need the answer key (pages 4–5) and conversion tables (pages 11–13)
provided in this section.
2. Using the answer key, count up your total correct answers for each
section. You may want to write the number of correct answers for each
section at the bottom of that section in the answer key.
3. Using your marked-up answer key and the conversion tables, follow the
directions on the next few pages to get all of your scores.

GET SECTION AND TOTAL SCORES

Your total score on the SAT is the sum of your Evidence-Based Reading and
Writing section score and your Math section score. To get your total score,
convert your raw score for each section—the number of questions you got
right in that section—into the scaled score for that section, then calculate
the total score.

Calculating Your Evidence-Based Reading

and Writing Section Score
Calculate your SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section score (it’s
on a scale of 200–800) by first determining your Reading Test score and
your Writing and Language Test score. Here’s how:
1. Use the Answer Key to determine your raw scores (the number of correct
answers in each test).
2. Go to Raw Score Conversion Table 1: Section and Test Scores on page 11.
Look in the “Raw Score” column for your raw score, and match it to the
number in the “Reading Test Score” column.
3. Do the same with Section 2 to determine your Writing and Language Test
score.
4. Add your Reading Test score to your Writing and Language Test score.
5. Multiply that number by 10. This is your Evidence-Based Reading and
Writing Section score.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Calculating Your Math Section Score

Calculate your SAT Math section score (it’s on a scale of 200–800), as
follows:
1. Count the number of correct answers you got on the Math Test – No
Calculator and the Math Test – Calculator.
2. Add the number of correct answers you got on each portion.
3. As you did with your Reading and Writing and Language Test scores,
go to the Raw Score Conversion Table 1: Section and Test Scores to turn
your raw score into your Math section score. Find your raw score in the
“Raw Score” column and match it to the number in the same row in the
“Math Section Score” column.

Calculating Your Total Score

Add your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score to your
Math section score. The result is your total score on the SAT, on a scale of
400–1600.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Answer Key – Determine Raw Scores

Reading Test Answers
Reading Test Answers 1(a-d)

Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
1 B 14 B 27 A 40 B
2 D 15 D 28 D 41 A
3 B 16 A 29 C 42 D
4 D 17 D 30 A 43 B
5 D 18 C 31 C 44 A
6 A 19 D 32 C 45 C
7 B 20 D 33 A 46 C
8 C 21 C 34 B 47 D
9 A 22 B 35 C 48 A
Reading Test Answers 1(a-d)
10 C 23 C 36 B 49 A
11 B 24 D 37 A 50 B
12 D 25 B 38 C 51 D
Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
13 C 26 A 39 D 52 D
1 B 14 B 27 A 40 B
2 D 15 D 28 D 41 A
3 B 16 A 29 C 42 D
4 D 17 D 30 A 43 B
5 D 18 C 31 C 44 A
Writing and
6 Language Answers 2(a-d)
A 19 D 32 C 45 C
Reading
7 Test Raw Score
B 20 D 33 A 46 C
(Number
8 of Correct Answers)
C 21 C 34 B 47 D
Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
19 BA 22
12 BA 35
23 CD 48
34 AB
210 CC 23
13 CB 36
24 BA 49
35 AA
311 DB 24
14 DA 37
25 AC 50
36 BC
412 DD 25
15 BD 38
26 CD 51
37 DB
513 DC 26
16 AB 39
27 DC 52
38 DD
6 B 17 C 28 C 39 A
7 D 18 B 29 D 40 C
8 C 19 C 30 A 41 B

Writing and Language Test

9
Writing 10
Answers
A
and Language Answers 2(a-d)
21 A
20 A
D
31
32
B
A
42
43 D
B

11 C 22 A 33 B 44 B

Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
1 B 12 A 23 D 34 B
2 C 13 B 24 A 35 A
3 D 14 A 25 C 36 C
4 D 15 D 26 D 37 B
5 D 16 B 27 C 38 D
6 B 17 C 28 C 39 A
7 D 18 B 29 D 40 C
8 C 19 C 30 A 41 B
9 A 20 A 31 B 42 B
10 A 21 D 32 A 43 D
11 C 22 A 33 B 44 B

Writing and Language Test

Raw Score “U” indicates a question that did not perform as expected and
(Number of Correct Answers) has been removed from scoring.

On test day you may have answered questions in a

different order than what you see above.

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Answer Key – Determine Raw Scores (continued)

Math Test – No Calculator Answers
Math Test – No Calculator Answers Table 3

Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
1 A 5 D 9 A 13 D
2 A 6 C 10 D 14 A
3 B 7 D 11 B 15 D
4 B 8 B 12 C

Question # Correct Answer

16 2
17 2.5,5/2
18 3
19 .8,4/5
20 48

Math Test – No Calculator Answers Table 3

Math Test – Calculator Answers Table 4
Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
1 A 5 D 9 A 13 #
Question D Answer
Correct
Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
2514 AB
Math
21 Test – No Calculator
A
D 69 CA 10
17 CD
32 2615 DD
Raw Score BD 7
10 DA 11
18 BB
43 B 8 B 12 C 27 A
(Number of Correct Answers)
B 11 D 19 C
28 C
4 D 12 B 20 D
29 D
5 C 13 B 21 A
Question # Correct Answer 30 D
6 B 14 A 22 B
16 2
7 A 15 A 23 C
17 2.5,5/2
8 C 16 C 24 C
18 3
19 .8,4/5
20 48
Question # Correct Answer
31 3
Math Test – Calculator Answers
32
Math Test
8,9,10
33– Calculator Answers Table 4
.25,1/4
34 50
35 # 50 Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
Question Question # Correct Answer Question # Correct Answer
25 B
136 220 D 9 A 17 C
26 D
237 15 D 10 A 18 B
27 A
338 9 B 11 D 19 C
28 C
4 D 12 B 20 D
29 D
5 C 13 B 21 A
30 D
6 B 14 A 22 B
7 A 15 A 23 C
8 C 16 C 24 C

Question # Correct Answer

31 3
32 8,9,10
33 .25,1/4
34 50
35 50
36 220
37 15
38 9

Math Test – Calculator

Raw Score “U” indicates a question that did not perform as expected and
(Number of Correct Answers) has been removed from scoring.

On test day you may have answered questions in a

different order than what you see above.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

GET CROSS-TEST SCORES

The SAT also reports two cross-test scores: Analysis in History/Social
Studies and Analysis in Science. These scores are based on questions in
the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests that ask you to think
analytically about texts and questions in these subject areas.
Cross-test scores are reported on a scale of 10–40.

Calculating Your Cross-Test Scores

You can use the cross-test score tables beginning on the next page to
calculate your cross-test scores as follows:
1. Find the questions in each section that count toward each cross-test
score. These are shown with a “Y” next to the question number in the
tables. Refer to your QAS report to see which of those questions you
answered correctly on the test, and then check the box for each correct
answer.
2. Count the number of correct answers for each cross-test area and record
that as your raw score for that subject area.
3. Use the conversion table on page 12 to determine your scaled score
(10–40) for each subject area.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Cross-Test Scores Tables – Determine Cross-Test Raw Scores

Y = Counts toward Cross-Test score. On your QAS report, look up every question marked “Y” below to see if you answered it correctly.
IfTable 5aoffand
so, check 5bfor that question below. On test day you may have seen questions in a different order than what you see below.
the box

Analysis in History/Social Studies (HSS) Analysis in Science (SCI)

Writing and Math Test - Math Test - Writing and Math Test - Math Test -
Reading Language Calculator No Calculator Reading Language Calculator No Calculator

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Y 2
3 3 Y 3 3 3 3 3 Y 3
4 4 Y 4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 Y 5 5 5 5 5 5
6 6 Y 6 6 6 6 6 6
7 7 7 Y 7 7 7 7 7
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Y 8
9 9 Y 9 Y 9 9 9 9 9
10 10 10 Y 10 10 10 10 10
11 Y 11 Y 11 11 11 11 11 11
12 Y 12 12 Y 12 12 12 Y 12 12
13 Y 13 13 13 13 13 Y 13 13
14 Y 14 14 14 14 14 Y 14 14 Y
15 Y 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 Y
16 Y 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
17 Y 17 17 Y 17 17 17 Y 17 17
18 Y 18 18 18 18 18 Y 18 18
19 Y 19 19 19 19 19 19 19
20 Y 20 20 20 20 20 Y 20 20
21 Y 21 21 21 21 21
22 22 22 22 Y 22 22 Y
23 23 23 23 Y 23 23
24 24 24 Y 24 Y 24 24
25 25 25 25 Y 25 25 Y
26 26 26 26 Y 26 26
27 27 27 27 Y 27 27
28 28 28 28 Y 28 28
29 29 29 29 Y 29 29
30 30 30 30 Y 30 30
31 31 31 31 Y 31 31
32 32 32 32 Y 32 32
33 Y 33 33 33 33 33
34 Y 34 34 34 34 34 Y
35 Y 35 35 35 35 35
36 Y 36 36 36 36 36
37 Y 37 37 Y 37 37 37
38 Y 38 38 Y 38 38 38
39 Y 39 39 39
40 Y 40 40 40
41 Y 41 41 41
42 Y 42 42 42
43 43 43 Y 43
44 44 44 Y 44
45 45 Y
46 46 Y
47 47 Y
48 48 Y
49 49 Y
50 50 Y
51 51 Y
52 52 Y

HSS Raw Score SCI Raw Score

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

GET SUBSCORES
Subscores provide more detailed information about your strengths in
specific areas within literacy and math.
Subscores are reported on a scale of 1–15.
▶▶ The Command of Evidence subscore is based on questions from both
the Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test that ask you
to interpret and use evidence found in a wide range of passages and
informational graphics, such as graphs, tables, and charts.
▶▶ The Expression of Ideas subscore is based on questions from the Writing
and Language Test that focus on topic development, organization, and
rhetorically effective use of language.
▶▶ The Words in Context subscore is based on questions from both the
Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test that address the
meaning in context of words/phrases and rhetorical word choice.
▶▶ The Standard English Conventions subscore is based on questions from
the Writing and Language Test that focus on sentence structure, usage,
and punctuation.
▶▶ The Heart of Algebra subscore is based on questions from the Math Test
that focus on linear equations and inequalities.
▶▶ The Problem Solving and Data Analysis subscore is based on
questions from the Math Test that focus on quantitative reasoning, the
interpretation and synthesis of data, and solving problems in rich and
varied contexts.
▶▶ The Passport to Advanced Math subscore is based on questions from
the Math Test that focus on topics central to the ability of students to
progress to more advanced mathematics, such as understanding the
structure of expressions, reasoning with more complex equations, and
interpreting and building functions.

Calculating Your Subscores

You can use the subscore tables beginning on the next page to calculate
your subscores as follows:
1. Find the questions that count toward each subscore. These are shown
with a “Y” next to the question number in the tables. Refer to your QAS
report to see which of those questions you answered correctly on the test,
and then check the box for each correct answer.
2. Count the number of correct answers for each area and record that as your
raw score for that area.
3. Finally, use the conversion table on page 13 to determine your scaled score
(1–15) for each area.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Subscores Tables – Determine Subscore Raw Scores

Y = Counts toward subscore. On your QAS report, look up every question marked “Y” to see if you answered it correctly.
IfTable 6(a-d)
so, check off the box for that question. On test day you may have seen questions in a different order than what you see below.
Command of Evidence Expression of Ideas Words in Context Standard English Conventions
(COE) (EOI) (WIC) (SEC)

Writing and Writing and Writing and Writing and

Reading Language Reading Language Reading Language Reading Language

1 1 1 1 1 Y 1 1 1 Y
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Y
3 Y 3 3 3 Y 3 3 3 3
4 4 Y 4 4 Y 4 4 4 4
5 5 Y 5 5 Y 5 5 5 5
6 Y 6 6 6 Y 6 6 Y 6 6
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 Y
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Y
9 9 9 9 Y 9 9 9 9
10 10 10 10 10 Y 10 10 10 Y
11 11 11 11 Y 11 11 Y 11 11
12 12 12 12 Y 12 12 Y 12 12
13 13 13 13 Y 13 13 13 13
14 14 Y 14 14 Y 14 Y 14 14 14
15 15 15 15 15 Y 15 15 15 Y
16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 Y
17 17 17 17 Y 17 17 17 17
18 18 18 18 Y 18 18 Y 18 18
19 Y 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 Y
20 Y 20 Y 20 20 Y 20 20 20 20
21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 Y
22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 Y
23 23 23 23 Y 23 23 Y 23 23
24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 Y
25 Y 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Y
26 26 26 26 Y 26 Y 26 Y 26 26
27 27 27 27 Y 27 27 27 27
28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 Y
29 29 29 29 29 Y 29 29 29 Y
30 30 30 30 Y 30 30 30 30
31 Y 31 Y 31 31 Y 31 31 31 31
32 Y 32 Y 32 32 Y 32 32 32 32
33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 Y
34 34 34 34 34 Y 34 34 34 Y
35 35 Y 35 35 Y 35 35 35 35
36 36 36 36 Y 36 36 36 36
37 37 37 37 Y 37 37 Y 37 37
38 Y 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 Y
39 39 39 39 39 39 39 39 Y
40 Y 40 Y 40 40 Y 40 40 40 40
41 41 41 41 41 Y 41 41 41 Y
42 42 42 42 Y 42 42 42 42
43 43 43 43 Y 43 43 Y 43 43
44 44 44 44 44 Y 44 44 44 Y
45 45 45 45
46 Y 46 46 46
47 47 47 47
48 48 48 Y 48
49 49 49 49
50 50 50 50
51 51 51 51
52 52 52 52

COE Raw Score EOI Raw Score WIC Raw Score SEC Raw Score

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Subscores Tables – Determine Subscore Raw Scores (continued)

Y = Counts toward Subscore. On your QAS report, look up every question marked “Y” to see if you answered it correctly.
If so, check off the box for that question. On test day you may have seen questions in a different order than what you see below.
Table 6(e-g)
Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Passport to Advanced
(HOA) Data Analysis (PSD) Math (PAM)

Math Test - Math Test - No Math Test - Math Test - No Math Test - Calculator Math Test - No
Calculator Calculator Calculator Calculator Calculator
1
1 Y 1 Y 1 1 1
2
2 2 2 Y 2 2
3
3 3 3 Y 3 3 Y
4
4 4 Y 4 Y 4 4
5
5 5 Y 5 Y 5 5
6
6 6 6 Y 6 6 Y
7
7 7 7 Y 7 7 Y
8
8 Y 8 8 8 8 Y
9
9 9 Y 9 Y 9 9
10
10 10 Y 10 Y 10 10
11
11 11 11 Y 11 11
12
12 12 12 Y 12 12 Y
13
13 Y 13 13 13 13 Y
14 Y
14 14 14 14 14 Y
15
15 Y 15 15 15 15 Y
16
16 16 Y 16 16 16
17
17 17 Y 17 Y 17 17
18
18 Y 18 18 18 18 Y
19 Y
19 19 Y 19 19 19
20
20 20 20 Y 20 20
21
21 Y 21
22 Y
22 22
23
23 23
24
24 24 Y
25
25 Y 25
26 Y
26 26
27
27 Y 27
28 Y
28 28
29
29 Y 29
30 Y
30 30
31 Y
31 31
32
32 32 Y
33
33 Y 33
34
34 34 Y
35
35 35
36
36 Y 36
37
37 37 Y
38
38 38 Y

HOA Raw Score PSD Raw Score PAM Raw Score

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CONVERSION TABLES

Raw Score Conversion – Section and Test Scores

Section and Test Scores
Table 7(a-b)
RAW SCORE CONVERSION TABLE 1
Raw Score Writing and Raw Score Writing and
Math Section ReadingTest Math Section ReadingTest
(# of correct Language Test (# of correct Language Test
Score Score Score Score
answers) Score answers) Score

0 200 10 10 30 530 27 29
1 200 10 10 31 530 27 29
2 210 10 10 32 540 28 30
3 230 11 11 33 550 28 31
4 240 12 12 34 550 29 31
5 250 13 13 35 560 30 32
6 270 14 13 36 570 30 33
7 280 14 14 37 580 31 33
8 290 15 15 38 580 31 34
9 310 16 16 39 590 32 35
10 320 17 16 40 600 32 36
11 330 17 17 41 600 33 37
12 340 18 18 42 610 34 38
13 350 18 18 43 620 34 39
14 360 19 19 44 630 35 40
15 380 19 20 45 640 36
16 390 20 20 46 650 37
17 400 20 21 47 660 38
18 410 21 21 48 670 38
19 420 21 22 49 680 39
20 440 21 23 50 690 39
21 450 22 23 51 700 40
22 460 23 24 52 710 40
23 470 23 24 53 720
24 480 24 25 54 740
25 490 24 26 55 750
26 500 25 26 56 770
27 510 25 27 57 780
28 510 26 28 58 800
29 520 26 28

Section and Test Scores

CONVERSION EQUATION 1

CONVERT

READING TEST READING TEST
RAW SCORE SCORE
(0-52) (10-40)

CONVERT
+ = × 10 =

WRITING AND WRITING AND READING TEST READING AND EVIDENCE-BASED
LANGUAGE TEST LANGUAGE SCORE WRITING READING AND WRITING
RAW SCORE TEST SCORE (10-40) TEST SCORE SECTION SCORE
(0-44) (10-40) (20-80) (200-800)

CONVERT
+ = + =

MATH TEST – MATH TEST – MATH SECTION MATH SECTION EVIDENCE-BASED TOTAL SAT
NO CALCULATOR CALCULATOR RAW SCORE SCORE READING AND WRITING SCORE
RAW SCORE RAW SCORE (0-58) (200-800) SECTION SCORE (400-1600)
(0-20) (0-38) (200-800)

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Raw Score
Table Conversion – Cross-Test Scores
9(a-b)
Cross-Test Scores
RAW SCORE CONVERSION | TABLE 2

Raw Score Analysis in Raw Score Analysis in

Analysis in Analysis in
(# of correct History/SocialStudies (# of correct History/SocialStudies
ScienceCross-Test Score ScienceCross-Test Score
answers) Cross-Test Score answers) Cross-Test Score

0 10 10 18 26 27
1 10 11 19 27 27
2 11 12 20 27 28
3 12 13 21 28 29
4 14 14 22 28 30
5 15 15 23 29 31
6 16 16 24 30 31
7 17 17 25 30 32
8 18 18 26 31 33
9 19 19 27 32 33
10 20 20 28 33 34
11 21 21 29 34 35
12 22 22 30 35 36
13 23 22 31 36 37
14 23 23 32 37 38
15 24 24 33 38 38
16 25 25 34 39 39
17 25 26 35 40 40

Cross-Test Scores
CONVERSION EQUATION 2

CONVERT CONVERT
 
ANALYSIS IN HISTORY/ ANALYSIS IN HISTORY/ ANALYSIS IN SCIENCE ANALYSIS IN SCIENCE
SOCIAL STUDIES SOCIAL STUDIES RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE (0-35) (10-40)
(0-35) (10-40)

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Raw Score Conversion – Subscores

Subscores
RAW SCORE
Table 8 CONVERSION TABLE 3

Raw Score (# of Expression of Standard English Problem Solving Passport to Command of

Heart of Algebra Words in Context
correct answers) Ideas Conventions and Data Analysis Advanced Math Evidence

0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 1 2 1 3
2 2 1 3 1 4 1 4
3 3 1 4 2 5 2 4
4 4 2 4 3 6 3 5
5 5 3 5 4 7 4 6
6 5 3 6 5 8 5 6
7 6 4 6 6 9 6 7
8 7 4 7 7 9 6 8
9 7 5 8 8 10 7 8
10 8 6 8 9 11 8 9
11 8 6 9 9 11 8 10
12 9 7 9 10 12 9 10
13 9 8 10 11 13 10 11
14 10 9 10 11 14 11 12
15 10 10 11 12 14 11 13
16 11 10 12 13 15 12 14
17 11 11 13 15 13 15
18 12 12 14 15 15
19 12 13 15
20 13 15
21 14
22 14
23 15
24 15

Subscores
CONVERSION EQUATION 3

CONVERT CONVERT CONVERT

  
COMMAND OF COMMAND OF WORDS IN WORDS IN EXPRESSION OF IDEAS EXPRESSION OF IDEAS
EVIDENCE EVIDENCE CONTEXT CONTEXT RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE RAW SCORE SUBSCORE (0-24) (1-15)
(0-18) (1-15) (0-18) (1-15)

CONVERT CONVERT CONVERT

  
STANDARD ENGLISH STANDARD ENGLISH HEART OF ALGEBRA HEART OF ALGEBRA PROBLEM SOLVING PROBLEM SOLVING
CONVENTIONS CONVENTIONS RAW SCORE SUBSCORE AND DATA ANALYSIS AND DATA ANALYSIS
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE (0-19) (1-15) RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
(0-20) (1-15) (0-17) (1-15)

CONVERT

PASSPORT TO PASSPORT TO
ADVANCED MATH ADVANCED MATH
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
(0-16) (1-15)

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THE SAT ESSAY

The SAT Essay assesses reading, analysis, and writing skills. It’s optional
and given at the end of the SAT. Essays are evaluated for demonstrated
comprehension of a source text, quality of analysis, and quality of writing.
See the Essay Scoring Guide on pages 15 and 16 for more information.
▶▶ Total questions: 1 prompt, with points to consider and directions
▶▶ 1 passage
▶▶ Time allotted: 50 minutes to read and analyze the passage and to
develop a written response
On the SAT Essay, you’re asked to demonstrate college- and career-
readiness proficiency in reading, analysis, and writing through
comprehending a high-quality source text, producing a cogent and clear
written analysis of that text, and supporting that analysis with critical
reasoning and evidence drawn from the source. The Essay prompt doesn’t
ask you to take a stand on the author’s point of view but instead to analyze
how the author builds a persuasive argument.
Your essay will receive three scores, each on a scale of 2–8:
1. Reading: Demonstrated comprehension of the passage, its main ideas,
and its important details.
2. Analysis: Demonstrated understanding of the analytical task, and
effective analysis of the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and/or
stylistic or persuasive elements (and/or features of your own choice).
3. Writing: Communication of information and ideas in a structured,
cohesive manner, using precise language and a variety of sentence
structures and showing a command of the conventions of standard
written English.
Your Essay scores aren’t combined with each other or with any other scores
on the SAT. (They don’t, for instance, affect the Evidence-Based Reading
and Writing section score or the total test score.)

14
 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

ESSAY SCORING GUIDE

Score Reading Analysis Writing

4 ADVANCED: The response ADVANCED: The response offers an ADVANCED: The response is cohesive
demonstrates thorough insightful analysis of the source text and demonstrates a highly effective
comprehension of the source text. and demonstrates a sophisticated use and command of language.
The response shows an understanding of the analytical The response includes a precise
understanding of the text’s central task. central claim.
idea(s) and of most important The response offers a thorough, The response includes a skillful
details and how they interrelate, well-considered evaluation of the introduction and conclusion. The
demonstrating a comprehensive author’s use of evidence, reasoning, response demonstrates a deliberate
understanding of the text. and/or stylistic and persuasive and highly effective progression of
The response is free of errors of elements, and/or feature(s) of the ideas both within paragraphs and
fact or interpretation with regard student’s own choosing. throughout the essay.
to the text. The response contains relevant, The response has a wide variety in
The response makes skillful sufficient, and strategically chosen sentence structures. The response
use of textual evidence support for claim(s) or point(s) demonstrates a consistent use of
(quotations, paraphrases, or made. precise word choice. The response
both), demonstrating a complete The response focuses consistently maintains a formal style and
understanding of the source text. on those features of the text that objective tone.
are most relevant to addressing The response shows a strong
the task. command of the conventions of
standard written English and is free
or virtually free of errors.

3 PROFICIENT: The response PROFICIENT: The response offers an PROFICIENT: The response is mostly
demonstrates effective effective analysis of the source text cohesive and demonstrates effective
comprehension of the source text. and demonstrates an understanding use and control of language.
The response shows an of the analytical task. The response includes a central
understanding of the text’s central The response competently claim or implicit controlling idea.
idea(s) and important details. evaluates the author’s use of The response includes an effective
The response is free of substantive evidence, reasoning, and/or stylistic introduction and conclusion.
errors of fact and interpretation and persuasive elements, and/or
feature(s) of the student’s own The response demonstrates a clear
with regard to the text. progression of ideas both within
choosing.
The response makes appropriate paragraphs and throughout the
use of textual evidence (quotations, The response contains relevant and essay.
paraphrases, or both), demonstrating sufficient support for claim(s) or
point(s) made. The response has variety in
an understanding of the source text. sentence structures. The response
The response focuses primarily on demonstrates some precise word
those features of the text that are choice. The response maintains a
most relevant to addressing the task. formal style and objective tone.
The response shows a good control
of the conventions of standard
written English and is free of
significant errors that detract from
the quality of writing.

15
 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

ESSAY SCORING GUIDE, continued

Score Reading Analysis Writing

2 PARTIAL: The response demonstrates PARTIAL: The response offers PARTIAL: The response demonstrates
some comprehension of the source limited analysis of the source text little or no cohesion and limited skill
text. and demonstrates only partial in the use and control of language.
The response shows an understanding of the analytical task. The response may lack a clear
understanding of the text’s central The response identifies and central claim or controlling idea or
idea(s) but not of important details. attempts to describe the author’s may deviate from the claim or idea
The response may contain errors use of evidence, reasoning, over the course of the response.
of fact and/or interpretation with and/or stylistic and persuasive The response may include an
regard to the text. elements, and/or feature(s) of the ineffective introduction and/or
student’s own choosing, but merely conclusion. The response may
The response makes limited and/or asserts rather than explains their
haphazard use of textual evidence demonstrate some progression of
importance. ideas within paragraphs but not
(quotations, paraphrases, or both),
demonstrating some understanding Or one or more aspects of throughout the response.
of the source text. the response’s analysis are The response has limited variety
unwarranted based on the text. in sentence structures; sentence
The response contains little or no structures may be repetitive.
support for claim(s) or point(s) made. The response demonstrates general
The response may lack a clear focus or vague word choice; word choice
on those features of the text that are may be repetitive. The response
most relevant to addressing the task. may deviate noticeably from a
formal style and objective tone.
The response shows a limited
control of the conventions of
standard written English and
contains errors that detract from the
quality of writing and may impede
understanding.

1 INADEQUATE: The response INADEQUATE: The response offers INADEQUATE: The response
demonstrates little or no little or no analysis or ineffective demonstrates little or no cohesion
comprehension of the source text. analysis of the source text and inadequate skill in the use and
The response fails to show an and demonstrates little or no control of language.
understanding of the text’s central understanding of the analytic task. The response may lack a clear
idea(s), and may include only details The response identifies without central claim or controlling idea.
without reference to central idea(s). explanation some aspects of the The response lacks a recognizable
The response may contain numerous author’s use of evidence, reasoning, introduction and conclusion.
errors of fact and/or interpretation and/or stylistic and persuasive The response does not have a
with regard to the text. elements, and/or feature(s) of the discernible progression of ideas.
student’s choosing.
The response makes little or The response lacks variety in
no use of textual evidence Or numerous aspects of sentence structures; sentence
(quotations, paraphrases, or the response’s analysis are structures may be repetitive. The
both), demonstrating little or no unwarranted based on the text. response demonstrates general and
understanding of the source text. The response contains little or vague word choice; word choice
no support for claim(s) or point(s) may be poor or inaccurate. The
made, or support is largely response may lack a formal style
irrelevant. and objective tone.
The response may not focus on The response shows a weak control
features of the text that are relevant of the conventions of standard
to addressing the task. written English and may contain
The response offers no discernible numerous errors that undermine the
analysis (e.g., is largely or quality of writing.
exclusively summary).

16
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