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