Do I really get 200 points just for filling in my name?

Perhaps the most common misconception about the SAT is the belief that you earn 200 points automatically for filling in your name correctly.  This is a myth. 

The SAT tests your ability in three general areas – Math, Critical Reading, and Writing.  For each area you receive a score of between 200 and 800 points. 

These scores are then added to derive your overall SAT score, which will be somewhere between 600 and 2400 points – with 2400 being a perfect score and 600 being the lowest score possible. 

	Lowest	Highest
MATH	200	800
READING	200	800
WRITING	200	800
TOTAL	600	2,400

So, if the only thing you do is fill in your name, you will still receive a score of 600 points (which is basically the same as getting a “zero” on a test in school). The points aren’t awarded for “writing your name,” it's just that a 600 is the lowest score you can receive.