The verbal reasoning questions test the student's ability to read critically and to recognize relationships between pairs of words and between parts of sentences. The mathematical reasoning sections involve problems of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Most of the questions on the SAT I are multiple choice, although some math questions do not have answer choices. The test is paper-based and consists of 7 sections. The scores for the verbal and mathematical sections are tallied separately, each on a scale of 200-800.
Schools often publicize the average combined score of the applicants they accept.
The average score of American students applying for college is 475 for the verbal and 475 for the mathematical, yielding a combined score of 950. For entry into more selective schools, a combined score of 1100 or greater is the norm. The scores from these tests are typically used by colleges for placement, and sometimes admissions, purposes. The content varies as does the format. The scores are recorded on the 200-800 scale.