SAT Score can Be Hand-Graded

Hand Scoring/Score Verification
Multiple-Choice Hand Score Verification
The multiple-choice sections of all SAT Program tests are machine scanned. The scanning process is subject to careful and systematic quality control to ensure accuracy. The following guidelines are published in our test and practice materials and are given to all test-takers:

Use a No. 2 pencil and a soft eraser. Do not use a pen or mechanical pencil.
Make sure you fill in the entire circle darkly and completely.
If you change your response, erase as completely as possible.
If your marks conform to the published instructions for marking the answer sheet, the scanning and scoring processes, combined with the quality control procedures, are designed to produce an accurate score. However, if you believe the process did not produce an accurate score, you may request a multiple-choice hand score verification. When hand scoring of a multiple-choice score is requested, your entire answer sheet will be manually reviewed-you cannot request verification of scores for a single section on the SAT or a single SAT Subject Test.

IMPORTANT: If your marks did not follow the published guidelines, your scores will not change, and your score verification fee will not be refunded.

If your marks conform to the published instructions for marking the answer sheet, but there was an irregularity in the scanning and/or scoring process, your score may change. In this circumstance, your adjusted score will be automatically reported and your score verification fee will be refunded.

If we can determine that you made an obvious error in filling in the information on the answer sheet (such as, but not limited to, placing your answers in the wrong section of the answer sheet or improperly recording the test identifying code), your score may change. In this situation, your adjusted score will be automatically reported; however, your score verification fee will not be refunded.

Essay Score Verification
For the SAT, our normal scoring process includes an independent scoring of each essay by two qualified readers. If the two readers' scores differ by more than one point, a scoring director will score the essay. This automatic validation ensures the accuracy of the essay scoring process.

If you choose to have your essay score verified, we determine whether there was an error made in the scanning or processing of the essay scores assigned by essay readers. In this circumstance, your adjusted score is automatically reported and your fee is refunded.

IMPORTANT: The verification of essay scores does not include re-reading the essay or an appeal of the essay score. The score verification fee will not be refunded for essays written in pen.

Requesting Score Verification
You can request a multiple-choice hand score verification or essay score verification, or both, up to five months after the test date by calling Customer Service. There is a score verification fee required to cover the costs associated with verifying your scores. If you used a fee waiver to pay SAT registration fees, the score verification fee will be reduced. The reduced fee is available upon request and is provided on the Request for SAT Score Verification form.

We will mail a letter confirming the results of your multiple-choice hand score verification or essay score verification within five weeks after your signed request and payment are received. We will refund your full score verification fee only if the change in scores was due to an irregularity in the scanning and/or scoring process.

IMPORTANT: Multiple-choice hand score verification and/or essay score verification may result in higher or lower scores than the scores first reported. Adjusted scores are FINAL and will be reported to all score recipients.
source: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores/handscore.html