Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SAT scoring, college matching, and our recommendations
Use Ctrl/Cmd + F to search for specific topics.
🎓 Understanding Your SAT Score
How is the SAT scored?
| Section | Range |
|---|---|
| EBRW (Reading & Writing) | 200–800 |
| Math | 200–800 |
Total Score = EBRW + Math (400–1600)
Do you support Superscore?
Yes.
If multiple test attempts are entered, we use your highest EBRW + highest Math.
My score doesn't match CollegeBoard charts exactly — why?
Percentile distributions shift year-to-year.
We use multi-year smoothed percentile curves to avoid misleading volatility.
🏫 College Matching Logic
How do you classify Reach / Match / Safety?
We compare your SAT score to each school's published SAT 25th–75th percentile:
- Above 75th percentile → Safety / Likely
- Within 25th–75th percentile → Match / Target
- Below 25th percentile → Reach
What if I don't select a state?
If no state is selected, recommendations are based on nationwide match.
If a state is selected, we apply an in-state advantage adjustment, because many public universities offer:
- A higher admit likelihood for in-state students
- Lower tuition
How do you account for major competitiveness?
We apply score adjustments based on major difficulty:
- CS/Engineering: +50 point threshold
- Business: +25 point threshold
- General/Liberal Arts: No adjustment
This reflects the reality that competitive programs often require higher scores than the university's general admission standards.
📊 Data Sources & Accuracy
Where does your data come from?
- Common Data Set (CDS) - Official university reporting
- IPEDS - U.S. Department of Education database
- CollegeBoard - SAT score distributions
- Official university admissions websites
We update data once per academic term (approximately every 3 months).
How accurate are your predictions?
Our calculator provides score estimation based on official conversion tables, but actual results may vary due to:
- Test day conditions
- Individual performance variations
- Adaptive algorithm differences
Use our results as a guide for preparation, not a guarantee.
📚 Study Recommendations
How are the study recommendations generated?
Your score is mapped to a score band (e.g., 1100–1190, 1300–1390).
Each band has different improvement patterns and study priorities:
- Timing strategies
- Question-type diagnostics
- Reading inference strategies
- Math concept gaps
Why do high scorers get different advice?
Score improvement strategies change dramatically by score level:
- 1500+: Focus on avoiding careless errors
- 1400-1490: Target specific weak question types
- 1200-1390: Build foundational skills systematically
- <1200: Focus on core concepts and untimed practice
⚙️ Technical & Business
Do ads affect school recommendations?
No.
Ads do not influence ranking, match scoring, or suggestions.
They only support site maintenance and keep our tools free.
Is my data stored or shared?
No personal data is stored.
All calculations happen in your browser. We don't collect, store, or share your SAT scores or personal information.
How is this different from official CollegeBoard tools?
Our calculator provides:
- Instant results without registration
- State-based adjustments for in-state advantages
- Major-specific recommendations
- Improvement potential analysis
CollegeBoard tools focus on official score reporting and test registration.