It’s hard to believe that the first sitting of the new SAT is over and scores are in. At this point, the “new” SAT is the only SAT and it’s time to think about how you did. First things first: Gone are the days of perfect 1600s. Your total possible score is now 2400—800 points each for Math, Critical Reading, and Writing.

As in previous years, you’ll receive a copy of your score report in the mail. Impatient? Instead of wearing yourself out checking the mailbox everyday, just visit CollegeBoard.com. It’s free and you can view your score one week before they’re mailed out.

Unlike school, you can’t “pass” or “fail” the SAT. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook! The reason you take the test is to strengthen your college apps. Most colleges publish their median scores, so it just takes a little research to figure out what you’re shooting for.

For a snapshot of your performance, check out your percentile scores. They show how you stacked up against the competition. If you received an 82% on the Math test, then you outscored 82% of other students.

Raw scores help you get particular—and discover where you can make improvements. To calculate raw scores, the College Board uses a simple formula: they add a point for correct answers and subtract a quarter-point for wrong ones. That little formula can have a big impact on your cumulative score.

If you’re not totally content with the scores you’ve received, don’t panic. There are some easy ways to improve the next time around. Remember the formula we were just talking about? You can actually use the way the SAT is scored to your advantage:

Strategy #1

Pay special attention to the earlier questions in each section. SAT Math and Writing questions are generally presented in order of difficulty. That means you have a better shot at getting the earlier ones right. Just one or two more correct answers per section can increase your score by 50 points or more!

Strategy #2

You may not need to answer every question to get the score you want, so consider skipping questions you’re likely to get wrong. If you can eliminate even one incorrect answer, definitely guess. But if you can’t, then don’t! Those quarter point penalties can really add up.

For the past year, the hottest topic in SAT circles has been the new Writing section of the test. While it’s definitely an important addition, keep it in perspective. The essay only accounts for a third of your Writing score—or a ninth of your total score.

When you view your results online, you’ll see an essay score ranging from 0-12. The cool part? You can view and print a copy of your essay response to take to your parents or English teacher for pointers. But first, look at it yourself!

Did you write neatly enough for the average human to understand it? Are your grammar and spelling in check? Did you conclude with a conclusion? Though your score is based on overall content, all of these things can have an impact.

The SAT is a big part of the college application process but remember that it’s only a test. You can easily prep some more, use the score-raising strategies above, and work toward the score you need. For more study tips, check out our test prep center. Good luck!