Subscores in the SAT Exam

The SAT exam consists of four main sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math (no calculator), and Math (calculator). Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800, with a total possible score of 1600. However, within these sections, there are no official subscores provided by the College Board. Subscores are specific scores that indicate performance in different areas within a section.

Section Breakdown and Importance

1. Reading: The Reading section assesses a student's ability to comprehend and analyze written passages. It includes multiple-choice questions based on passages from literature, social sciences, and natural sciences.

2. Writing and Language: This section measures a student's ability to identify and correct errors in grammar, sentence structure, and usage. It also evaluates their understanding of rhetorical skills and essay organization.

3. Math (no calculator): The Math section without a calculator assesses a student's problem-solving skills, algebraic reasoning, and ability to analyze and interpret data.

4. Math (calculator): The Math section with a calculator focuses on advanced math topics, including complex equations, functions, and geometry.

Score Reporting

The College Board provides a total score for the SAT exam, ranging from 400 to 1600. This total score is a sum of the scores obtained in the Reading and Writing and Language sections (combined into the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section) and the Math sections.

While there are no official subscores within each section, students receive a cross-test score and subscores for specific skills. These scores are not reported separately but are used to provide additional insights into a student's strengths and weaknesses.

Cross-Test Scores

The cross-test scores provide an analysis of a student's performance across multiple sections. They are reported in two areas:

1. Analysis in History/Social Studies: This score indicates a student's ability to analyze and interpret historical and social science texts.

2. Analysis in Science: This score reflects a student's ability to analyze and interpret scientific information and data.

Subscores for Specific Skills

While not reported separately, the SAT exam assesses specific skills within each section. These skills include:

1. Command of Evidence: This skill evaluates a student's ability to analyze and interpret evidence in Reading and Writing and Language sections.

2. Words in Context: This skill assesses a student's understanding of vocabulary and contextual usage in the Reading section.

3. Expression of Ideas: This skill measures a student's ability to organize ideas, craft effective sentences, and create coherent paragraphs in the Writing and Language section.

4. Standard English Conventions: This skill evaluates a student's understanding of grammar, usage, and punctuation rules in the Writing and Language section.

5. Heart of Algebra: This skill assesses a student's ability to solve linear equations and inequalities, analyze and manipulate functions, and understand linear word problems in the Math sections.

6. Problem Solving and Data Analysis: This skill measures a student's ability to analyze data from various sources, apply ratios and proportional reasoning, and solve real-world problems