Color-Coded Score Ranges

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Test scores and subscores provide a detailed view of student performance on exams in the SAT Suite of Assessments.

Score reports use color-coded score ranges to pinpoint skill-level strengths and weaknesses so educators can take action, helping students meet the College Career Readiness Benchmarks.

Test scores and subscores fall within one of three score ranges:

  • Green: On track for college readiness
  • Yellow: Close to being on track for college readiness; continue to strengthen skills
  • Red: Need to strengthen skills

Jump down to view:

How Color-Coded Score Ranges Are Computed

The values for green test and subscore score ranges are based on the average test scores and subscores of all test-takers who met or exceeded the corresponding benchmark for their grade.

Yellow and red score range values are based on scores of test-takers who did not meet the corresponding benchmark for their previous grade. Their average test scores and subscores determine the highest score in the red range. Students who score above this average and below the green range fall in the yellow range.

Test Scores

Test scores show how students performed on the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests.

10–40 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Reading 10–20 21–29 30–40
Writing and Language 10–20 21–30 31–40
Math 10–22 22.5–31 31.5–40
8–38 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Reading 8–19 20–28 29–38
Writing and Language 8–18 19–28 29–38
Math 8–20.5 21–29.5 30–38
8–38 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Reading 8–18 19–26 27–38
Writing and Language 8–17 18–26 27–38
Math 8–19.5 20–27.5 28–38
6–36 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Reading 6–18 19–25 26–36
Writing and Language 6 -16 17–25 26–36
Math 6–18 18.5–25.5 26–36
6–36 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Reading 6–17 18–23 24–36
Writing and Language 6–16 17–23 24–36
Math 6–17.5 18–24 24.5–36

Subscores

Subscore ranges and colors provide detail about skill levels.

1–15 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Command of Evidence 1–6 7–10 11–15
Words in Context 1–6 7–11 12–15
Expression of Ideas 1–6 7–10 11–15
Standard English Conventions 1–5 6–10 11–15
Heart of Algebra 1–6 7–11 12–15
Problem Solving and Data Analysis 1–6 7–11 12–15
Passport to Advanced Math 1–6 7–11 12–15
1–15 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Command of Evidence 1–6 7–10 11–15
Words in Context 1–5 6–10 11–15
Expression of Ideas 1–6 7–10 11–15
Standard English Conventions 1–6 7–10 11–15
Heart of Algebra 1–6 7–11 12–15
Problem Solving and Data Analysis 1–7 8–11 12–15
Passport to Advanced Math 1–7 8–11 12–15
1–15 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Command of Evidence 1–6 7–9 10–15
Words in Context 1–5 6–9 10–15
Expression of Ideas 1–6 7–9 10–15
Standard English Conventions 1–5 6–9 10 -15
Heart of Algebra 1–6 7–10 11–15
Problem Solving and Data Analysis 1–6 7–10 11–15
Passport to Advanced Math 1–6 7–10 11–15
1–15 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Command of Evidence 1–5 6–9 10–15
Words in Context 1–4 5–10 11–15
Expression of Ideas 1–5 6–10 11–15
Standard English Conventions 1–5 6–9 10–15
Heart of Algebra 1–6 7–10 11–15
Problem Solving and Data Analysis 1–6 7–10 11–15
Passport to Advanced Math N/A N/A N/A
1–15 Score Scale

  Red Yellow Green
Command of Evidence 1–5 6–9 10–15
Words in Context 1–4 5–9 10–15
Expression of Ideas 1–4 5–9 10–15
Standard English Conventions 1–4 5–8 9–15
Heart of Algebra 1–6 7–9 10–15
Problem Solving and Data Analysis 1–6 7–10 11–15
Passport to Advanced Math N/A N/A N/A

Taking Action to Improve Skills

Turn benchmark, test score, and subscore feedback into an action plan. Use it to inform instructional and curricular enhancements and strengthen teaching.

Help students:

  • Review the Skills Insight section of student score reports. Skills Insight includes score-based recommendations for improvement.
  • Review test questions and answer explanations. Student score reports show which questions students got right, which they got wrong, and the correct answer.
  • Share scores with Khan Academy® for personalized, world-class practice and instruction.

Learn More

Download the Educator’s Brief on Benchmarks and the SAT Suite (281 KB | .pdf).