Hi everyone! I've been seeing this term 'super score' around college websites and I'm not quite certain what it means. Could someone explain it to me? How does it affect my application if a college super scores ACT or SAT scores?
Sure, happy to explain! Super scoring is a policy used by some colleges in which they consider the highest section score across multiple test sittings when reviewing your standardized test scores. In other words, if you took the SAT/ACT multiple times, the school will take your highest Math score and your highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (for SAT) or English, Reading, Math and Science (for ACT) scores, even if they were from different test dates, and combine them to give you the highest possible composite score.
Take this scenario as an example: If you took the SAT twice and scored 600 on Math and 700 on Reading and Writing the first time, then scored 700 on Math and 600 on Reading and Writing the second time, a college that super-scores would consider your SAT score to be 1400 (700 Math + 700 Reading and Writing), even though you never scored a 1400 on a single test date.
If a college super scores, it can be beneficial to your application. It allows you to show your highest potential in each section, giving you a higher cumulative score. This can slightly strengthen your application, especially if the college places a good deal of importance on standardized test scores. It may also influence your test-taking strategy, as you can focus on improving one section at a time over multiple sittings if necessary.
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