<p>My son's SAT writing score is showing up as 780 on the website from the Oct. test. It shows that he got 80 out of 80 on the multiple choice and 8 out of 12 on the essay. I don't understand how his overall score could be that high if his essay score is really that low. I called College Board and the person on the phone assured me that the score is correct without even looking into it. I read that the essay accounts for roughly 30% of the total score, so I don't understand how his score report could be correct. Does anyone have any insight? Does College Board factor in the scores for the other 2 SAT sections when determining the writing score?</p>
<p>The essay is not weighed as much as the multiple choice. He got a perfect raw score on multiple choice, which is amazing. A 10 on the essay I believe would still have landed him an 800. His score is perfectly understandable.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply, BD89. I guess the scoring for the writing section is more complex than I thought it was.</p>
<p>800/12-10=800
800/9=800 Or 790
800/8=780</p>
<p>That's definitely right, I know several people who have gotten that. Congrats to your son, that's great!</p>
<p>I wish the essays counted for more, personally, because I tend to do better on it, but that's the way it is. =P</p>
<p>I've been told that generally, at 7 or 8 (I'm not sure which number, specifically), the score isn't changed. At lower, it takes away from the score, and at higher, it adds to the score.</p>
<p>Congrats to your son. He beat me by 20 points. =] 76/80 on mult choice, and a 10 on essay.</p>
<p>im sorry i cant help it, but are you one of those parents who loves putting down their kid? with stupid stuff like "you shouldnt have gotten this score"</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've been told that generally, at 7 or 8 (I'm not sure which number, specifically), the score isn't changed. At lower, it takes away from the score, and at higher, it adds to the score.
[/quote]
7 and 8 both subtract from the score. I've had a 7 and an 8 and they each seem to lower my score 20 points. (the same as the OPs son.)</p>
<p>LOLL yeah i wouldn't question a score that i consider too HIGH ... maybe the other way around.. HAHAA</p>
<p>backfire,
I assume your question is for me, so I'll answer it. No, I definitely am not a parent who enjoys putting down my kids. What I was questioning is whether the essay score might have actually been higher than an 8 since he got a 780 and he is a pretty good writer. I didn't realize that the formula for figuring out the score works the way it does, but thank you to all of you who helped me to understand it.</p>
<p>logosprincipal~ Great writers usually don't get really good scores on SAT essay. We have to adhere to a strict format and any creativity on the essays will get you a lower score. Many excellent writers don't do well on the SAT writing.</p>