Maybe you’ve been there: you’ve just taken the SAT a second time and improved your Reading score by 100 points only to see your Math score drop 100 points. Was the retake pointless? Not if you’re applying to colleges that superscore the test. Read this article to learn what “superscoring” on the SAT means and if it really matters.
What is “Superscoring” on the SAT?
“Superscoring” refers to the practice of certain colleges and universities of taking into account your highest score for each individual section of the SAT, rather than accepting your highest test score in one sitting. For students who see improvements in certain areas only to backslide in others, superscoring can seem like a godsend.
An example of superscoring
Let’s say you’ve taken the SAT three times. Each time, you scored a little bit differently. Luckily, you’re applying to colleges that superscore the SAT. What would your superscored SAT look like compared to your scores for each individual sitting? Take a look below:
Test 1: Reading: 600 Math 710
Test 2: Reading 630 Math 690
Test 3: Reading 640 Math 700
SUPERSCORE: Reading 640 Math 710
Not bad, right?
SAT superscoring can be hugely beneficial to students who take the test several times–as most students should!
How much does superscoring really help?
That’s a great question. Although it’s nice to have a superscore that’s higher than your SAT score for any individual sitting, it may not help you as much as you think. Because the colleges and universities that superscore the SAT are superscoring those tests for all applicants, and not just you, the only applicants you’ll gain an advantage over are those who have taken the test fewer times than you.
Which colleges and universities superscore the SAT?
If you’re looking for a reliable list of colleges and universities that superscore the SAT, look no further! Click this link to check out colleges’ SAT scoring policies. Don’t forget to double-check with the web site of the college and university in question, though.
What about the ACT?
Believe it or not, some colleges superscore the ACT as well! However, it’s far more common for the SAT to be superscored.
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