What is Superscoring?
Superscoring (SAT/ACT) means colleges combine your best section scores from different test dates into one higher “superscore.” It helps most when your section highs happen on different sittings (e.g., best Math on one date, best Reading and Writing on another). If your best sections happen on the same day, superscoring won’t change your score.
Introduction
The difference between a 1350 and a 1450 SAT score might be more achievable than you think if you test strategically. When you take the SAT or ACT more than once, superscoring policies at many colleges let you combine your best section scores from different test dates, rather than judging you on one complete test.
This strategy can potentially raise your reported score when your section highs occur on different test dates. This guide explains what superscoring means, how it works with Score Choice policies, which colleges use it, and how to build a strategic retake plan.
How Does Superscoring Work?
Colleges that superscore the SAT take your highest section scores across all test dates and combine them into one “superscore.”
Example
- Test 1 (March): Reading and Writing: 660, Math: 720 = 1380
- Test 2 (May): Reading and Writing: 700, Math: 680 = 1380
- Superscore: Reading and Writing: 700 + Math: 720 = 1420
In this case, the superscore is 50 points higher than either individual test.
What Is the SAT Superscore?
The SAT superscore is your highest possible SAT composite created by combining your best Reading and Writing score (sometimes called EBRW by colleges) and best Math score from all tests you’ve taken. Colleges that practice true superscoring take the highest score in each section from all test sittings to create a new composite score.
The digital SAT (DSAT) has two sections:
- Reading and Writing (200-800). Some colleges still refer to this as “Evidence-Based Reading and Writing” (EBRW)
- Math (200-800)
- Total composite: 400-1600
Note: The optional SAT Essay was discontinued in 2021.
Example
If you score 700 Math and 600 Reading and Writing in one sitting, then 650 Math and 700 Reading and Writing in another, your superscore is 1400 (700 Math + 700 Reading and Writing).
What Is an ACT Superscore?
ACT superscoring works similarly but with four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science (each scored 1-36). The ACT superscore composite is recalculated from the best section scores, specifically, the average of your best four subject scores across all attempts.
Example
- Test 1: English: 28, Math: 30, Reading: 26, Science: 29 = Composite: 28
- Test 2: English: 30, Math: 28, Reading: 29, Science: 27 = Composite: 29
- Superscore: English: 30, Math: 30, Reading: 29, Science: 29 = Composite: 30
ACT superscoring is offered by many schools, but policies vary more widely than SAT. Always verify.
How to Calculate Your Superscore
SAT Superscore Formula
SAT Superscore = max(Reading/Writing₁, Reading/Writing₂, …) + max(Math₁, Math₂, …)
ACT Superscore Formula
ACT Superscore Composite = average of (best English, best Math, best Reading, best Science)
Note: The ACT rounds composite scores following standard ACT reporting rules.
Understanding College Superscoring Policies
College testing policies fall into several archetypes. Here’s how to navigate them:
| Policy Type | What It Means | Example Schools |
|---|---|---|
Superscore + All Scores Required |
School superscores but wants to see all test dates |
MIT¹ |
Superscore + Score Choice Allowed |
School superscores and you choose which dates to send |
Yale² |
Highest Sitting Only |
School considers only your best single-sitting score |
Some state universities |
Test Flexible |
School accepts various test combinations or alternatives |
NYU, some liberal arts colleges |
Sources
- ¹ MIT Admissions: “Applicants should self-report all official sittings and MIT will consider the superscore”
- ² Yale Admissions: “We will evaluate the highest individual section scores from all test dates”
Colleges That Superscore the SAT
Many top-tier universities use superscores for candidate evaluation. Verified examples include MIT (requires all scores, considers superscore) and Yale (allows self-reported superscored results). Many other institutions, including several Ivy League schools and schools like Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, Boston College, and Boston University have stated SAT superscoring policies in recent admissions cycles.
Colleges That Superscore the ACT
ACT superscoring is offered by many schools, but policies vary more widely than SAT. Verified examples include MIT and Yale. Many liberal arts colleges also superscore the ACT. Some colleges consider only your highest single ACT composite score.
How to Verify Superscoring Policies
Follow these steps before applying:
- Visit the official admissions website for each college on your list
- Search for “Testing Requirements” or “Score Reporting Policy”
- Note whether they require all scores or allow Score Choice
- Contact admissions directly if the policy is unclear
- Verify annually because policies change
Many colleges review all scores from every sitting for context, but this doesn’t penalize lower attempts if they superscore.
Superscoring vs. Score Choice for SAT and ACT: What’s the Difference?
Score Choice refers to score submission rules. For the SAT and ACT, this means students may be allowed to choose which test dates to send to colleges. When Score Choice is permitted, you can submit only the test dates that contain your strongest section scores. However, some colleges and scholarship programs require all test scores from every sitting, regardless of Score Choice availability.
Superscoring refers to how colleges evaluate the scores they receive. At schools that superscore, admissions offices combine your highest section scores from different test dates to create a single composite score. This applies to both the SAT and ACT when the institution has a superscoring policy.
How the two policies work together
- If a school allows Score Choice and superscores, you can send only the test dates that contain your highest sections, and the college will combine them.
- If a school superscores but requires all scores, you must submit every test date, but the school will still evaluate your application using your highest section scores.
- If a school does not superscore, only your best single test sitting is considered, regardless of Score Choice.
Understanding both policies is essential before deciding how many times to test and which scores to submit. Always verify each college’s score submission and superscoring rules directly on its admissions website, since policies vary by institution and can change over time.
Decision Logic for Test Submission
- If school superscores + allows Score Choice: Send only the sittings containing your best sections
- If school superscores + requires all scores: Still test strategically; you’ll submit all scores anyway, and they’ll superscore your best sections
- If school uses highest sitting only: Focus on achieving your best complete test on a single date
3 Retake Patterns: When Superscoring Helps Most
Superscoring provides the most benefit when you have clear strengths and weaknesses across different test dates. Here are three common patterns:
Pattern A: Math-Strong, Reading/Writing Lagging
Your scores
- First test: Reading/Writing 620, Math 730
- Target superscore: Reading/Writing 700+, Math 730
Strategy
- Dedicate 90% of prep time to Reading and Writing
- Even if Math drops to 700 on your next test, your superscore uses the 730
- Focus areas: Grammar rules, vocabulary in context, reading comprehension strategies
Retake timeline: 2-3 months of focused Reading/Writing prep
Pattern B: Reading/Writing-Strong, Math Lagging
Your scores
- First test: Reading/Writing 710, Math 640
- Target superscore: Reading/Writing 710, Math 720+
Strategy
- Dedicate 90% of prep time to Math fundamentals
- Your Reading/Writing score is locked in at 710
- Focus areas: Problem types you missed, foundational concepts, timing strategies
Retake timeline: 2-3 months of focused Math prep
Pattern C: Balanced but Inconsistent
Your scores
- First test: Reading/Writing 660, Math 670
- Second test: Reading/Writing 680, Math 650
- Current superscore: Reading/Writing 680, Math 670 = 1350
Strategy
- Address test-day anxiety or timing issues
- Build consistency through timed section practice
- Focus on maintaining your highs while pushing one section higher
- Consider whether a third attempt will yield meaningful improvement
Retake timeline: Focus on test conditions and pacing for 6-8 weeks
Your SAT/ACT Retake Plan: Strategy and Preparation
Step 1: Start with a Diagnostic Test
Begin preparing early. Consider taking a diagnostic test in sophomore year to identify strengths and weaknesses. This helps you understand the digital SAT format, build a study plan, and reduce junior year stress.
Step 2: Plan 2-3 Strategic Attempts
Space your attempts 2-3 months apart so you have enough time to address weaknesses between each sitting.
Sample Timeline
- Sophomore year (optional): Diagnostic test to establish baseline
- Spring junior year: First official test
- Summer junior year: Second test after focused prep
- Fall senior year: Third test if needed and prep shows 50+ point improvement potential
Step 3: Identify and Target Your Weak Section
After your first test, review your score report carefully. Dedicate 80-90% of your prep time to the section that needs the most work. Your strong section score is already locked in for superscoring purposes.
For Math weaknesses
- Review fundamentals systematically
- Work through official practice problems daily by topic (algebra, geometry, data analysis)
- Focus on the specific problem types you missed
For Reading/Writing weaknesses
- Read challenging materials daily for 15-20 minutes (news analysis, opinion pieces)
- Build vocabulary through context rather than memorization
- Study grammar rules one concept at a time
For ACT Science weaknesses
- Practice interpreting graphs and data quickly
- Read scientific articles to build comfort with technical language
- Time yourself on passage sets to improve pacing
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Step 4: Track Progress and Time Your Retake
Take timed section practice for your weak area and track scores week by week. If you’re consistently improving 30-50 points in practice, you’re likely ready for your next official test. If scores plateau for 3-4 weeks despite focused prep, reassess your strategy before registering again.
Retake when
- Practice tests show 50+ point improvement potential
- You scored below your target school’s average
- Test-day issues (illness, anxiety, timing) affected performance
Stop testing when
- You’ve reached your target school’s 75th percentile
- You’ve taken 2-3 attempts without meaningful improvement
- Time would be better spent on other application components
How Colleges Use Your Scores: Policy Examples from MIT and Yale
MIT’s Policy (Example: All Scores Required + Superscoring)
- What MIT requires: Self-report all official test sittings
- What MIT does: Considers your superscore
Yale’s Policy (Example: Score Choice Allowed + Superscoring)
- What Yale allows: Self-reported “super-scored” SAT/ACT results (highest sections / recalculated ACT composite)
- What this means: You can send the test dates containing your best sections
General Principle
Always follow each school’s score reporting rules. Policies vary significantly, even among schools that superscore. Some want complete testing history for context; others allow you to curate what you send.
Common Superscoring Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Assuming All Colleges Superscore
The fix: Always verify policies directly on each college’s admissions website. Policies vary significantly and change over time.
Mistake #2: Testing Without Focused Preparation
The fix: Superscoring requires actual improvement between attempts. Retaking without addressing your weaknesses typically yields minimal score changes.
Mistake #3: Taking Too Many Tests
The fix: Most students see meaningful improvement within 2-3 test attempts. After that, gains often diminish unless preparation strategy changes significantly. Focus on targeted improvement between test dates rather than simply accumulating test sittings.
Mistake #4: Missing Application Deadlines
The fix: Standard electronic score reports typically take 1-2 weeks to process. Plan accordingly for Early Decision and Early Action deadlines. Register for tests well in advance and send scores promptly.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Score Choice Implications
The fix: Understand whether your target schools require all scores or allow Score Choice before deciding which test dates to send.
Your Superscoring Action Plan
Superscoring can potentially raise your reported score when you test strategically and your section highs occur on different dates. Here’s your action plan:
- Verify policies – Check each college’s superscoring and score submission requirements
- Take a diagnostic – Identify strengths and weaknesses early
- Plan 2-3 attempts – Space them 2-3 months apart for focused prep between tests
- Focus on weak sections – Dedicate 80-90% of prep time to areas needing improvement
- Use Score Choice strategically – Send only relevant test dates when allowed
- Know when to stop – Avoid diminishing returns after 2-3 attempts
- Meet deadlines – Allow time for score processing before application deadlines
Frequently Asked Questions
2-3 test sittings is optimal. More than 3 attempts rarely produces significant improvement without major changes to preparation strategy.
Many Ivy League schools have stated SAT superscoring policies in recent admissions cycles. However, policies vary across institutions and may change. Always verify current testing policies on each school’s official admissions website.
No. Superscoring only works within the same test. Choose either SAT or ACT and focus your efforts there rather than splitting preparation across both tests.
At superscoring schools, lower subsequent scores don’t hurt you. Colleges use your best section scores from all attempts. However, some schools that require all scores may consider score trends as part of their holistic review.
No. Score Choice is which tests you send to colleges (your decision, when allowed). Superscoring is how colleges calculate your score from the test dates you submit (their policy).
No. Colleges that superscore encourage multiple test attempts. Taking 2-3 tests is standard practice. However, 5+ attempts may prompt questions about test preparation strategy versus time spent on other application components.
Send all relevant scores through College Board (SAT) or ACT.org before application deadlines. Colleges automatically calculate your superscore from the multiple official score reports you submit. Follow each college’s specific score submission requirements.
Only submit scores if they strengthen your application. Superscoring can help push you above a college’s median range, which may make submitting scores more beneficial than going test-optional. If your superscore sits at or above the college’s 75th percentile, it’s generally worth reporting.
Most do not. The National Merit Scholarship Program, for example, is based entirely on your PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index from a single sitting, and superscoring does not apply. External private scholarships from corporations or foundations similarly tend to require single-sitting scores. University-based merit scholarships are the exception, as they often follow the institution’s admissions testing policy. Assume superscoring does not apply to any scholarship unless the program explicitly states otherwise, and always confirm directly with the admissions or financial aid office.
ACT superscoring can help, but it is less universal than SAT superscoring. Fewer colleges superscore the ACT, so verify policies carefully before choosing your testing strategy. When available, the benefit is similar. Your best section scores from different test dates are combined into a stronger composite.
No. Optional sections such as ACT Writing (the essay) and the former SAT Essay do not count toward a superscore. Superscoring only includes the core sections used to calculate your composite: Reading and Writing plus Math for the SAT, and English, Math, Reading, and Science for the ACT. Optional sections are scored separately and reported alongside your composite. Some colleges still require or recommend them, so check each school’s policy before deciding whether to complete them.
Plan Smarter. Retake with Purpose.
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