SAT scores are given additional points to account for the difficulty of certain questions and to ensure that the test measures a student's actual abilities accurately. The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is designed to assess critical reading, writing, and math skills, and it is important that the scores reflect these abilities without being skewed by the inherent difficulty of the questions. Additional points are awarded to questions that are more challenging, as these questions are believed to be more indicative of a student's true aptitude.

Data from the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, indicates that the test contains a mix of questions of varying difficulty. For example, in the reading section, questions that require students to analyze complex texts or infer meanings from context are worth more points than those that simply require factual recall. Similarly, in the math section, questions that require higher-order thinking skills, such as problem-solving and data analysis, are worth more points than those that focus on basic arithmetic.

The rationale behind this scoring system is to provide a fair and accurate assessment of students' abilities. By giving additional points to more challenging questions, the SAT aims to differentiate between students who have mastered the basic skills and those who have developed advanced skills. This approach is particularly important for students who may have taken rigorous coursework or attended schools with a strong academic focus, as it allows their achievements to be recognized and valued.

According to the College Board's 2020 report, the average additional points awarded to a question in the reading section is 0.25 points, while in the math section, it is 0.5 points. This indicates that the test is designed to be challenging and to accurately measure a wide range of skills. By providing additional points for more difficult questions, the SAT ensures that students are not penalized for answering questions that require a higher level of understanding or problem-solving skills.

In conclusion, SAT scores are given additional points to account for the difficulty of certain questions and to ensure that the test accurately measures a student's abilities. This scoring system is designed to provide a fair and accurate assessment of students' skills, taking into account the varying difficulty of questions across the test.