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SAT Score Choice Policy FAQ
The College Board changes SAT scoring rules so infrequently that any shift becomes big news. For the class of 2010 and beyond, the change announced in June 2008 gives students more control over how SAT and Subject Test scores are reported to colleges. The reporting changes went into effect in March 2009, and students submitting score reports are now able to retroactively hide or submit older scores.
How does Score Choice work?
SAT Reasoning scores (Critical Reading, Math, and Writing) are reported on a test date basis only. You cannot, for example, send your SAT Writing score from one sitting without also including your Critical Reading and Math scores from that test. For the Subject Tests, however, you can choose to send or omit any of your scores, even those taken on the same day.
Will only my best scores be sent to colleges?
Score Choice is an option; by default, all scores will be sent. You must request the selective score option when sending score reports. It is your responsibility to ensure that the colleges to which you apply are sent the correct scores in a timely manner.
What scores should I send?
If the college only considers your combined SAT score from one sitting, you may want to include only the test date with your best overall score (CR+M+W). If the college "mixes-and-matches" individual Critical Reading, Math, and Writing scores from different dates (the policy of many private colleges), then you will want to include the test dates that maximize your combined score.
Is it true that some colleges want me to send all of my scores?
Yes. Some colleges are asking students to report all scores. Not all colleges endorse the change in policy by the College Board. Some colleges prefer to see a student’s entire testing history. We recommend that you discuss the specifics of your situation with your college counselor and with Compass, as score reporting policies vary. For example, Stanford and Yale are among the schools that are requiring students to submit all of their scores, partly to discourage excessive testing. The UCs and USC are also mandating that students send all test scores, but their primary concern appears to be ensuring that students do not fail to submit any scores that might present them in a more favorable light. On the other end of the spectrum, Harvard and MIT have both stated that students are free to use Score Choice. Overall, of the 100 colleges most commonly considered by Compass students, approximately two-thirds accept Score Choice, and one-third require that all test scores be submitted.
I've heard that the new plan means that students should test "early and often."
While the new policy removes some of the anxiety over retesting, it does not change the fact that most students will not peak on the SAT until spring of junior year or fall of senior year. Taking the SAT two to three times is still the appropriate plan for most students. Most Compass students considering taking the SAT as a "dry run" before January of junior year would be better served by taking a proctored practice test instead. The feedback our practice tests provide is more immediate and more detailed. Aside from the cost and time involved, unprepared SAT performances can rattle a student's confidence unnecessarily. Additionally, a student who took the SAT (or ACT) numerous times could be forced to reveal this fact if he or she chose to apply to any of the colleges that require students to submit their entire testing histories.
How does the new SAT score reporting policy compare to the ACT policy?
The SAT policy now matches the longstanding ACT score reporting policy. One key difference is that fewer colleges mix-and-match ACT subject scores. This means that it is easier for a student to identify the single best ACT performance, but it does create more pressure for the student to peak in all areas on one test day. Students should be aware, however, that with the advent of SAT Score Choice, some schools, such as Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvey Mudd, have specifically stated that they are now requiring students to submit all ACT scores, as well as all SAT scores.
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