College-bound high school students who took the SATs on May 1, are probably nervous with anticipation today, as scores have just been released. Students can log online to the College Board website to access their SAT score report. A signup is required in order to log in. Scores for SAT II Subject Tests are also available. Paper copies of scores will be mailed beginning May 28.
The SATs are the bane of nearly every high school student’s existence – it’s one of the leading factors determining a student’s fate for the next four years. It’s also a grueling process involving hours of studying and more studying, the outcome of which is based on 1600-point system. Even when achieving the elusive, but possible 1600 perfect score, it doesn’t guarantee admission into the nation’s most elite universities.
The College Board, a nonprofit organization, owns and publishes the test, while the Educational Testing Service administers it. The SATs were first established in 1901 as a test to determine a student’s readiness for college. There are three parts to the test: math, critical reading, and writing. Three hours and forty-five minutes are allotted to take the test and students must pay $45.
Test Take, What Happens Next with the SAT
While students wait for their scores, the College Board is behind the scenes processing each test. Once the test is delivered to a supervisor, the College Board guarantees that each test is securely monitored until it is delivered to the Board’s processing center.
Next, each test is scanned and analyzed to come up with a raw score – or “the sum of points you earned based on the number of questions you answered correctly, minus a fraction of the number of questions that you answered incorrectly.” For essays, two qualified readers will read and score them. If the readers’ scores have more than a one point difference, a scoring director will read and give the final score.
The raw SAT score is then converted to a scaled score based on a 200-800-point scale. Finally, scores are released. Students can first access their scores online at the “My Organizer” section of the College Board website. Students will need a login name and password to view their results.
The score report breaks down the score in detail including what one’s SAT scores mean, and how one compares to other test-takers. The College Board begins delivery of scores to high schools and any colleges provided as score recipients.
The next officially scheduled SAT testing date is June 5, 2010, and scores will be available online June 24, 2010.
