How do they score sat essays

A student with a 1340 PSAT and 1280 SAT may feel that it is worthwhile to bring up low essay scores because she has previously shown that she can do better on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math, as well. A student with a 1400 PSAT and 1540 SAT should think long and hard before committing to a retest.

How the SAT Essay Is Scored. Each scorer awards 1–4 points for each dimension: reading, analysis, and writing. The two scores for each dimension are added. You’ll receive three scores for the SAT Essay—one for each dimension—ranging from 2–8 points. There is no composite SAT Essay score (the three scores are not added together)...

These are the basis for your section scores, and therefore your overall SAT score. Your two cross-test scores, each scored out of 40 points, are based on your performance answering questions that have science or history/social studies contexts. These subject-related questions appear both in Reading & Writing as well as Math.

When colleges look at your SAT scores, however, they usually won't look at your essay scores all by themselves. Most schools look at your overall SAT score first, your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores next, and your essay scores last (if they care about your SAT essay scores at all).