Section scores run from 200 to 800 in steps of 10.
Sitting 1
Sitting 2
Superscore
1,390
690 + 700. Reading and Writing from sitting 2, Math from sitting 1
Best single sitting
1,370
20 points above the best single sitting
At a glance
- Section scores
- 200 to 800 each
- Total range
- 400 to 1600
- Superscore
- Best RW + best Math, any sittings
- 2027 SAT dates
- 6 Mar, 1 May, 5 Jun 2027
Worked example
Two sittings, one superscore. The best section in each column is the one used.
| Sitting | Reading and Writing | Math | Total that day |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 650 | 700 (best Math) | 1350 |
| December | 690 (best RW) | 680 | 1370 |
| Superscore | 690 | 700 | 1390 |
The superscore is 20 points above the best single sitting.
How colleges use it
College Board reports a score for each sitting. Whether those sittings are combined is up to each college. Colleges that superscore take the highest section scores from all the results a student sends. Others consider the highest total from a single date, and some ask applicants to send every score. A college's admissions or testing policy page says which it does, and policies can change between application years.
For students in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, the SAT runs on the same dates as everywhere else. In 2026-27 the remaining weekend dates after December are 6 March, 1 May and 5 June 2027, which gives Grade 11 students room for two sittings before applications open.
Caveats
- Superscores only help at colleges that superscore. Use the best single sitting for the others.
- Universities outside the US, including in the Gulf, may set their own SAT rules, often a minimum total from one sitting.
- Section scores are reported in steps of 10, so the calculator rounds what you type to the nearest 10.
- A big gap between sections is information: it shows where further preparation is likely to pay off.
Planning a second or third sitting
Superscoring rewards focus. If Math is already strong, the next sitting can be prepared mainly for Reading and Writing, and the reverse. In one-to-one lessons a tutor reads the score report question type by question type, picks the two or three skills that cost the most points in the weaker section, and builds practice on College Board's official Bluebook tests so that timing on the adaptive modules feels familiar on test day.
Common questions
What is a SAT superscore?
The best Reading and Writing score plus the best Math score from all the sittings a student sends, even if they came from different test dates.
Do all colleges superscore the SAT?
No. Many US colleges do, but some use the highest single-sitting total and some ask for all scores. Check each college's admissions page.
How many times should my child take the SAT?
Two sittings is common, and a third is sometimes worth it if one section is clearly below target. Each sitting needs real preparation in between, or the score tends to stay where it was.
Is the superscore shown on the score report?
The score report shows each sitting. Colleges that superscore combine the sections themselves from the scores they receive.
How much does SAT tutoring with LiveTutor cost?
Lessons are one to one, online and 60 minutes at $15 a lesson. Plans run from 1 to 5 lessons a week, billed monthly; two lessons a week is $120 a month. The first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.