SAT subject tests and percentiles

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>For my first attempt in Dec 09, I got 800s in Math II, Physics and Chemistry.
The respective national percentiles are 89, 90 and 93.
I would like to ask if the percentiles are a function of the raw scores or the scaled (200–800) scores?
(e.g., does EVERYONE who get 800 get a percentile of 89, regardless of their raw scores?)</p>

<p>If they are a function of the raw scores, perhaps I should retake the tests. 89% is a really low percentile, and if I were admitting people at a selective college looking to admit the top few % of the cohort, I wouldn't be impressed. I got these results after a whole year out of school, and I'm sure I'd get a higher raw score if I prepare more.</p>

2

<p>No, they are the percentiles for the scaled scores. What it means is that you’re in the 89th percentile whether you get 50/50 raw score or 49/50 raw score.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, they’re the percentiles for the scaled scores.
Regardless, I think colleges only see the scores anyway, so it wouldn’t matter.</p>