How is the SSAT Scored?

Three different SSAT scores are given: raw scores, scaled scores, and percentile scores.

Raw Scores

A raw score is the total number of actual points you accumulate from answering questions. A few things you should know about the raw score:

  • Each right answer adds 1 point to your total raw score.
  • Each wrong answer subtracts 1/4 of a point from your total raw score.
  • Unanswered questions neither add nor subtract points from your total raw score.

Raw Scores

A raw score is the total number of actual points you accumulate from answering questions. A few things you should know about the raw score:

  • Each right answer adds 1 point to your total raw score.
  • Each wrong answer subtracts 1/4 of a point from your total raw score.
  • Unanswered questions neither add nor subtract points from your total raw score.

Scaled Scores

Scaled scores are calculated by referencing a conversation chart using your total raw score for each sub section. The conversion chart is generated by a complex and secret formula. Scaled scores for each section on the Upper level test range from 500 to 800. On the Middle level exam, the scaled scores for each section range from 440 to 710. This means the total scaled score for the Upper level SSAT can range from 1500 to 2400, and the total scaled score for the Middle level SSAT can range from 1320 to 2130.

Percentile Scores

A student’s percentile is a ranking of where he or she falls relative to others who have taken the exam in the past three years. For example, a percentile rank 72 indicates that a student scored as well as or higher than 72% of other test-takers.

Computing Your SSAT Score

Let’s consider how two students with different approaches to the SSAT would do on a section with 30 questions. Their results are as follows:

John Smith (30 of 30 questions attempted)

20 questions correct, 10 questions incorrect

TOTAL POINTS: _________________

Dan Schwartz (22 of 30 questions attempted)

19 questions correct, 3 questions incorrect

TOTAL POINTS: _________________

Convert Your Raw Score to a Scaled Score

Because the SSAT has not released a conversion chart, below is an estimated chart based off historical data.

SSAT Scaled Scores (Upper level)

Score Verbal Percentile
55+ 800 99
50 779 97
45 752 93
40 725 83
35 698 71
30 671 56
25 644 40
20 617 25
15 590 14
10 563 6
5 533 2
0 506 1
Score Verbal Percentile
55+ – –
50 800 99
45 782 93
40 755 83
35 725 67
30 698 53
25 668 38
20 641 24
15 614 14
10 584 6
5 557 3
0 530 1
Score Verbal Percentile
55+ – –
50 – –
45 – –
40 800 99
35 722 92
30 692 76
25 662 57
20 632 36
15 602 20
10 572 9
5 542 2
0 512 1

Raw Scores

Correct Answers = +1
Wrong Answers = -1 1/4
Blank = 0