Superscoring the SAT

Hey there! I've taken the SAT more than once and I'm a bit confused about superscoring. What exactly is superscoring and how does it work? Do all colleges superscore, or is it specific to certain schools?

Hello! Superscoring, in the context of the SAT, is when a college combines your highest subsection scores from different SAT test dates to create a new, higher composite score. For example, if you took the SAT once and scored 700 in Math and 650 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and then took it again to score 670 in Math and 720 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, the college would superscore your results to give you a composite score of 700 in Math (from the first test) and 720 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (from the second test), for a new combined score of 1420.

Not all colleges participate in superscoring, but many do. The policies vary by institution, so it's crucial to research each school's SAT superscoring policy. Typically, you can find this information on the school's admissions website or by contacting the admissions office directly. Some colleges may superscore the ACT but not the SAT, or vice versa, so make sure to pay attention to the specific test you're inquiring about. It's also important to send all of your SAT scores to the colleges that superscore, as they'll need access to each of your separate test results to calculate your highest possible composite score from all the test dates.

Ultimately, if a college superscores, it can benefit you by reflecting the highest level of your performance across different SAT test dates. Be sure to research each school you're applying to and be informed about their superscoring policies in order to maximize your chances for a strong application.