fbpx Skip to main content

Superscoring and Score Choice Policies

By October 6, 2023October 30th, 2023ACT, College Admission Requirements, For Students, SAT

Superman action figure

Superscoring

Many in college admission talk about reading applications holistically and supportively; one way they can do this is by “superscoring” standardized tests. This means that if you take the SAT more than once, the admission office will take the highest section score across test administrations and assign you a new, higher total score. For instance, if you scored a 650 EBRW and 670 Math (Total 1320) in March and a 700 EBRW and 650 Math (Total 1350) in May, your superscore would be 700 + 670 = 1370. For the ACT, this process generally takes the form of taking your highest test scores across test administrations, but may not result in a new Composite score because colleges use test scores individually.

ACT has introduced its Superscoring report as of April 2021 as a convenient way for students to send their best scores. See our complete guide to the new report.

Beginning with the March 2024 test, the SAT is going completely digital. As a result, the next few cohorts may have scores from both a paper-and-pencil and a digital exam. Compass suspects the majority of colleges will accept superscores from both types of tests during this transition period, though some may not. The list below is a sampling of schools that have already determined policies for paper-and-pencil and digital superscoring. We will add to this list as we hear from more schools.

  • Amherst: Yes
  • Brown: Yes
  • Columbia: Yes
  • Cornell: Yes
  • Dartmouth: Yes
  • Duke: Yes
  • Emory: Yes
  • Georgia Tech: Yes
  • Harvard: Yes
  • Northwestern: Yes
  • Notre Dame: Yes
  • Princeton: No; “Applicants are welcome to submit scores from multiple SAT test dates, and across multiple testing formats, if they would like them considered within our holistic review of their application. However, given their distinct differences in format, we will not SuperScore sections of the digital SAT with sections of the (paper/traditional) SAT.”
  • University of Chicago: Yes
  • University of Florida system: Yes
  • University of Georgia: Yes
  • University of Michigan: Yes
  • University of Mississippi: Yes
  • UPenn: Yes
  • Vanderbilt: Yes
  • Yale: Does not superscore to create total score, but will consider highest section scores regardless of how attained; “All SAT scores are treated equally in our evaluation process.”

Score Choice

The College Board and ACT have adopted policies, generally referred to as “Score Choice,” designed to give students some control over how SAT and ACT scores are reported. Colleges, however, have the final say over what scores applicants should submit and how those scores will be used. Students should carefully review the score-reporting policy of each college to which they plan to apply.

  • Require all scores: These colleges explicitly require applicants to submit all test scores.
  • Recommend all scores: These colleges recommend but do not require that applicants send all test scores. These schools’ admission offices will create superscores for applicants, and counselors do not want students to inadvertently neglect to send a high section score.
  • Accept score choice: These colleges will accept whichever scores an applicant elects to submit.

In the table below, you will find the superscore and score choice policies of many popular colleges. We are working to build out this database to include the 400+ popular colleges whose estimated ACT and SAT score ranges we also track (excluding those with Test Free policies). We also track score ranges and policies for merit scholarships here.

SchoolSuperscore SATSuperscore ACTScore Choice
Abilene Christian UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Adelphi UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Agnes Scott CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Albion CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Allegheny CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
American UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Amherst CollegeYesYesScore Choice OK
Appalachian State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Arizona State University—TempeYesYesScore choice OK
Auburn UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Augustana CollegeNoNoScore choice OK
Austin CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Babson CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Baldwin Wallace UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Bard CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Cornell UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Bates CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Baylor UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Beloit CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Bennington CollegeYesYes*Score choice OK
Bentley UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Berea CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Berry CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Binghamton University—SUNYYesYesScore choice OK
Biola UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Birmingham-Southern College YesYesScore choice OK
Boston CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Boston UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Bowdoin CollegeYes*YesScore choice OK
Bradley UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Brandeis UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Brigham Young University—ProvoNoNoScore choice OK
Brown UniversityYesYes*Score choice OK
Bryn Mawr CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Bucknell UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Butler UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
California Institute of TechnologyYesYes*Score choice OK
California Lutheran UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
California Polytechnic State University—San Luis ObispoYesYesScore choice OK
California State Polytechnic University—PomonaYesYesScore choice OK
California State University—FresnoYesYesScore choice OK
California State University—FullertonYesYesScore choice OK
California State University—Long BeachYesYesScore choice OK
California State University—Los AngelesYesYesScore Choice OK
California State University—Monterey BayYesYesScore choice OK
Carleton CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Carnegie Mellon UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Carroll CollegeNoNoScore choice OK
Case Western Reserve UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Centre CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Chapman UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Christopher Newport UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Claremont McKenna CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Clark UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Clarkson UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Clemson UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Coe CollegeNoNoScore choice OK
Colby CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Colgate UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
College of CharlestonYesYesScore choice OK
College of New JerseyYesYesScore choice OK
College of St. BenedictYesYesScore choice OK
College of the Holy CrossYesYesScore choice OK
College of William and MaryYesYesScore choice OK
College of WoosterYesYesScore choice OK
Colorado CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Colorado School of MinesYesYesScore choice OK
Colorado State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Columbia UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Concordia College—MoorheadYesYesScore choice OK
Connecticut CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Cooper UnionYesYesScore choice OK
Cornell CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Soka University of AmericaYesYesRequires all SAT or ACT
Creighton UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
CUNY—Baruch CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Dartmouth CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Davidson CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Denison UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
DePaul UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
DePauw UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Dickinson CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Drake UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Drew UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Drexel UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Drury UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Duke UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Duquesne UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Earlham CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Elmhurst CollegeNoNoScore choice OK
Elon UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Emerson CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Emory UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Fairfield UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Florida Institute of TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
Florida State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Fordham UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Franklin and Marshall CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Furman UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Gallaudet UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
George Mason UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
George Washington UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
The CitadelYesNoRequires all SAT or ACT
Georgia Institute of TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
Gettysburg CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Gonzaga UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Goshen CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Goucher CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Grinnell CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Gustavus Adolphus CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Hamilton CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Hampden-Sydney CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Hampton UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Hanover CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Harvard University* YesNoScore choice OK
Harvey Mudd CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Haverford CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Hendrix CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
High Point UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Hillsdale CollegeNoNoScore choice OK
Hobart and William Smith CollegesYesYesScore choice OK
Hofstra UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Hollins UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Hope CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Howard UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Humboldt State University YesYesScore choice OK
Illinois Institute of TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
Illinois Wesleyan UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Indiana University—BloomingtonYesYesScore choice OK
Iowa State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Ithaca CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
James Madison UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
John Brown UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Johns Hopkins UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Kalamazoo CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Kenyon CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Knox CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Lafayette CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Lake Forest CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Lawrence UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Lehigh UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Lewis & Clark CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Lipscomb UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Louisiana State University—Baton RougeYesYesScore choice OK
Loyola Marymount UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Loyola University ChicagoYesYesScore choice OK
Loyola University MarylandYesYesScore choice OK
Loyola University New OrleansYesYesScore choice OK
Luther CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Macalester CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Marist CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Marquette UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
Mercer UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Miami University—OxfordYesYesScore choice OK
Michigan State UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Michigan Technological UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Middlebury CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Millsaps CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Milwaukee School of EngineeringNoNoScore choice OK
Mississippi State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Missouri University of Science & TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
Morehouse CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Mount Holyoke CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Muhlenberg CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
New College of FloridaYesYesScore choice OK
New Jersey Institute of TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
New SchoolNoNoScore choice OK
New York UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
North Carolina State University—RaleighYesYesScore choice OK
Northeastern UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Northwestern UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Oberlin CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Occidental CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Ohio State University—ColumbusNoNoScore choice OK
Ohio UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Ohio Wesleyan UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Oklahoma State UniversityNoYesScore choice OK
Oregon State UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Pacific Lutheran UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Pennsylvania State University—University ParkNoNoScore choice OK
Pepperdine UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Pitzer CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Point Loma Nazarene UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Pomona CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Pratt InstituteYesYesScore choice OK
Presbyterian College (SC)YesYesScore choice OK
Princeton University YesNoScore choice OK
Providence CollegeYesYes*Score choice OK
Purdue University—West LafayetteYes*Yes*Score choice OK
Queens University of CharlotteYesYesScore choice OK
Quinnipiac UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Randolph-Macon CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Reed CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteYesNoScore choice OK
Rhode Island School of DesignYesYesScore choice OK
Rhodes CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Rice UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Ripon CollegeNoNoScore choice OK
Rochester Institute of TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
Rollins CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—New BrunswickYesNoScore choice OK
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—NewarkYesNoScore choice OK
Saint Louis UniversityNoNoScore choice OK
Samford UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
San Diego State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
San Jose State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Santa Clara UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Sarah Lawrence CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Scripps CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Seattle UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Seton Hall UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Sewanee—University of the SouthYesYesScore choice OK
Siena CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Simmons CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Skidmore CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Smith CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Yale UniversityYes*Yes*Score choice OK
Southern Methodist UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Southwestern UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Spelman CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
St. John Fisher CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
St. John's College AnnapolisYesYesScore choice OK
St. John's University (NY)YesYesScore choice OK
St. Lawrence UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
St. Mary's College (IN)YesYesScore choice OK
St. Mary's College of CaliforniaYesYesScore choice OK
St. Mary's College of MarylandYesNoScore choice OK
St. Michael's CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
St. Olaf CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Stanford UniversityYesYes*Score choice OK
Stetson UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Stevens Institute of TechnologyYesYesScore choice OK
Stonehill CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Stony Brook University—SUNYYesNoScore choice OK
SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestryYesYesScore choice OK
SUNY—GeneseoYesYesScore choice OK
Susquehanna UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Swarthmore CollegeYesYes*Score choice OK
Georgetown UniversityYesNoRequires all SAT and ACT
Taylor UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Temple UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Texas A&M University—College StationNoNoScore choice OK
Texas Christian UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Texas Lutheran UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Syracuse UniversityYesYesRequires all SAT and ACT
Thomas Aquinas CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Transylvania UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Trinity College (Hartford)YesYesScore choice OK
Trinity UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Truman State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Tufts UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Tulane UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Union College (Schenectady, NY)YesYesScore choice OK
United States Air Force AcademyYesYesScore choice OK
United States Coast Guard AcademyYesYesScore choice OK
United States Military AcademyYesYesScore choice OK
United States Naval AcademyYesYesScore choice OK
University at Albany—SUNYYesYesScore choice OK
University at Buffalo—SUNYYesNoScore choice OK
University of AlabamaYesYesScore choice OK
University of ArizonaNoNoScore choice OK
University of Arkansas—FayettevilleYesYesScore choice OK
University of ChicagoYesYesScore choice OK
University of CincinnatiNoNoScore choice OK
University of Colorado—BoulderYesYesScore choice OK
University of ConnecticutYesYesScore choice OK
University of DallasYesNoScore choice OK
University of DaytonYesYesScore choice OK
University of DelawareYesYesScore choice OK
University of DenverYesYesScore choice OK
University of FloridaYesYesScore choice OK
University of GeorgiaYesYesScore choice OK
University of Hawaii at ManoaYesYesScore choice OK
University of Illinois—ChicagoNoNoScore choice OK
University of Illinois—Urbana-ChampaignYes*Yes*Score choice OK
University of IowaNoNoScore choice OK
University of KansasNoNoScore choice OK
University of KentuckyYesYesScore choice OK
University of La VerneYesYesScore choice OK
University of Mary WashingtonYesYesScore choice OK
University of Maryland—College ParkYesYesScore choice OK
University of Massachusetts—AmherstYesYesScore choice OK
University of MiamiYesYesScore choice OK
University of Michigan—Ann ArborYesYesScore choice OK
University of Minnesota—Twin CitiesNoNoScore choice OK
University of MississippiYesYesScore choice OK
University of MissouriYesYesScore choice OK
University of Nebraska—LincolnNoNoScore choice OK
University of New HampshireYesNoScore choice OK
University of North Carolina—Chapel HillYesYesScore choice OK
University of North Carolina—WilmingtonYesYesScore choice OK
University of Notre DameYesYesScore choice OK
University of OklahomaYesYesScore choice OK
University of OregonYesYesScore choice OK
University of PennsylvaniaYesYesScore Choice OK
University of PittsburghYesNoScore choice OK
University of PortlandYesYesScore choice OK
University of Puget SoundYesYesScore choice OK
University of RedlandsYesYesScore choice OK
University of RichmondYesYesScore choice OK
University of RochesterYesYesScore choice OK
University of San DiegoYesNoScore choice OK
University of San FranciscoYesYesScore choice OK
University of South CarolinaYesYesScore choice OK
University of South FloridaYesYesScore choice OK
University of Southern CaliforniaYesYesScore choice OK
University of St. Thomas (MN)YesYesScore choice OK
University of TennesseeYesYesScore choice OK
University of Texas—AustinNoNoScore choice OK
University of Texas—DallasYesNoScore choice OK
University of the PacificYesYesScore choice OK
University of TulsaYesYesScore choice OK
University of UtahNoNoScore choice OK
University of VermontYesYesScore choice OK
University of VirginiaYesYes*Score choice OK
University of WashingtonYesYesScore choice OK
University of Wisconsin—MadisonNoNoScore choice OK
Ursinus CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Valparaiso UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Vanderbilt UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Vassar CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Villanova UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityYesNoScore choice OK
Virginia Military InstituteYesYesScore choice OK
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Wabash CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Wake Forest UniversityYesYes*Score choice OK
Washington and Jefferson CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Washington and Lee UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Washington CollegeYesNoScore choice OK
Washington State UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Washington University in St. LouisYesYesScore choice OK
Wellesley CollegeNoNoScore choice OK
Wesleyan UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Western Michigan UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Westmont CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Wheaton College (IL)YesYesScore choice OK
Whitman CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Whittier CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Willamette UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Williams CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Wofford CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Xavier UniversityYesYesScore choice OK
Barnard CollegeYesYesScore choice OK
Yeshiva UniversityYes*Yes*Score choice OK

 

* Weak Superscoring: These school fall somewhere between “highest composite” and true superscoring. For instance, University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign’s policy states, “If you took either test more than once, we’ll use your highest sub-scores in our evaluation. However, we don’t use your highest sub-scores from different test sittings to create a super-score.” We find this to be almost a distinction without a difference, especially since some colleges do the same thing behind the scenes but label it “superscoring.”

Post a comment or send an email to guide@compassprep.com with questions or recommended changes.

Ash Kramer

With a career in test prep and higher education that began in the late 90s, Ash has held a variety of educational roles from tutor and writing instructor to administrator. She serves as the Chief Product Officer at Compass, where she is lucky to lead a brilliant team creating the very best digital learning materials.

195 Comments

  • Al says:

    Hi!, if a school superscores ACT, can you choose two dates of three to send for them to superscore, even if the third date has the highest score on one section? My child scored low on math on the third date that I’d rather the school not see, even though the science was the highest by 1 point?

  • Al says:

    My son took the ACT three times. His highest composite score was 33 (English 34, Math 36, Reading 29, Science 32). But in another sitting he increased his science score to 33, though his other section scores were lower (composite was 31). Should he just submit the scores from the sitting where he got 33, or should he also include the other one to indicate the 1-point gain in science?

    He is applying to Cal Poly SLO as a top choice. (I’m not even sure if they consider science)

    Second question…
    On his SAT he got 800 math/700 English. Should he submit both SAT and ACT scores, or just one?

    Thanks!

    — Al

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Al,
      My understanding is that Cal Poly SLO only uses Math and English and superscores both SAT and ACT (and takes the highest when comparing SAT and ACT). Admission officers at Cal Poly only use the highest scores, so there is no negative to over-submitting. I would submit his 33 and his 1500.

  • Daniel says:

    I have a very urgent question!

    If I got 400 for Reading, 300 for Writing, and 700 for math on one day,
    and I get 300 for Reading, 400 for Writing, and 800 for math on another day,

    can this be superscored to 400 Reading 400 Writing and 800 Math?
    (They are not my scores – just theoretically)
    Thank you!

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Daniel,
      In all of the cases I can think of, colleges superscore ERW rather than separately superscoring Reading and Writing. If you got a 30 on Reading and a 40 on Writing, that would be a 700. If you reversed the scores, you would still have a 700 ERW. The superscore would be 700 ERW and 800 Math.

  • Sara says:

    For UC colleges that have a score choice policy of all scores, does that mean students need to also self report all their scores as well as send official score reports later on? And this only applies for SAT not ACT right? How are score choice policies changing for UC colleges for Fall 2020 admission?

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Sara,
      The UC system is not using SAT/ACT scores for applicants for Fall 2021 admission. Neither self-reported nor officially reported scores will be used by any of the campuses. For the fall of 2022, things have not been finalized yet. Most — and possibly all — of the campuses will remain test free. Any remaining campuses will be test optional. In either case, there is no longer a requirement to report all scores. It’s best to consult with individual campuses on their latest policies.

  • Sam says:

    If you choose to self-report the lower score of two exam scores due to certain unique circumstances, do you have to explain to colleges why you are choosing to do self-report the lower one? Or do we have to self report all our scores?

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Sam,
      There is no requirement for students to offer an explanation. Policies have changed rapidly because of testing availability during the pandemic, so most of the “all scores” requirements have dropped away. Some colleges have not yet finalized policies for Fall 2022.

  • Heidi says:

    I just noticed that Clemson has changed its policy regarding superscoring on the ACT, effective September 2020. Please see

  • Bea says:

    My child has never taken a full-length practice test (no PSAT either), but has worked through a lot of problems. Is it a bad idea if she want to try the SAT without taking a full-length practice test? She is willing to retake it in January if she doesn’t get the score she wants. Thanks!

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Bea,
      I am assuming that your student is currently a junior. We usually recommend against this strategy. Taking an SAT early and without preparation rarely results in a student’s best performance. While it’s true that most schools allow Score Choice or superscore, be aware that some colleges require a student to submit all scores. Further, a poor result can undermine a student’s confidence. A practice exam can be a safe learning environment.

  • AJ says:

    Can I use my PSAT reading score when superscoring or do I only use my real SAT scores?

    • Art Sawyer says:

      AJ,
      No, superscoring for college applications is only done using the SAT or ACT. There have been a few colleges that have accepted PSAT scores in lieu of SAT scores because of the pandemic, but even they don’t allow for superscoring PSAT and SAT scores.

  • TP says:

    Can you pls clarify how the act is superscore. Is it the average or the highest of each section from multiple tests. Thank you.

    • Margaux Erilane says:

      Hi TP,

      To calculate your ACT superscore, take the highest individual subsection scores across all dates and then average them.

  • Steve says:

    Hello, my daughter has taken the ACT twice. First time scores were Composite=29, Math=27, Science=27, English=35, Reading=25, and Writing=8. The second time she took it her scores improved in almost all categories to Composite=31, Math=29, Science=31, English=35, Reading = 30, but she elected to not re-take the Writing (she was just aiming for a higher composite score to meet the minimum required for a higher level of in-state tuition grant/scholarship at Arizona State University). Test scores are not required at the schools she is applying to (Arizona State, University of Arizona, and Milwaukee School of Engineering). However she is also applying to the honors college for both ASU and U. of Arizona, and will be applying for many of the university offered scholarships at each of the 3 schools so we imagine that sending in her ACT results would only help her in those areas and not hurt. If she sends only her 2nd test date scores because they were almost all higher, they will not see her Writing score, but if she sends her superscore, they will see the Writing score but my understanding is that they will also see that it was taken on a different date and see all the lower scores from the first test. Which score (superscore or just the 2nd test date) results should she send to each school (ASU, UA and MSOE)? Thanks for your advice!!

    • Margaux Erilane says:

      Hi Steve,

      Congratulations to your daughter – those are some significant improvements between sittings! Students should always double check the specific requirements for any scholarships they’re applying for, but since none of the schools you mentioned use the ACT Writing score, I imagine your daughter can feel confident sending only the second sitting. Good luck!

  • Karren says:

    Hi:

    My daughter’s first ACT is 34,28,26,31(total 30), and second one is 28,31,18,19(total 24). Her superscore is 31, but she is afraid that by sending the superscore, the school will see her low scores. Do you suggest her report the first ACT or her superscore?

    Thank you.

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Karren,
      While there is no way to guarantee that a college will not see all of your daughter’s scores, I tend to take them at their word when they say that they superscore. In some cases, the computer systems strip out the lower scores before an admission officer even sees them. I would recommend looking closely at each college’s policy. Some say that they superscore — create a new composite score — but that they will also look at the all of the scores. In those cases, I would only submit your daughter’s first test.

  • Alice says:

    Is it still accurate that Carnegie Mellon “requires all SAT or ACT” scores? I cannot find any language on their website (https://www.cmu.edu/admission/admission/standardized-testing) to support this. They have extended their test-optional policy through Fall 2024, but if a student chooses to submit scores, do they have to submit all of them?

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Alice,
      When schools when test optional and also shifted toward self-reported scores, the emphasis on the full “testing transcript” declined. You are correct. I no longer see CMU mentioning that requirement, so I interpret that as allowing score choice.

      • John says:

        CMU admissions web site and their Apply 2024 instructions conflict, so I contacted them. They confirmed that they no longer have the previous requirement of sending all scores, that self-reporting/superscoring via Common App is acceptable, and that their instruction guide on how to apply (Page 3 – “5. If you choose to have your scores considered, you’re required to submit all official results of either the SAT or the ACT.”) is wrong/outdated.

  • Bob says:

    Princeton’s web site says “ Princeton will consider the highest individual section results across all sittings of the SAT and the highest composite score for the ACT.” Your quote attributed to them cannot be located by Google. Can you post a link to their “distinct difference” policy?

    • Art Sawyer says:

      Bob,
      That is a quote in response to a direct question to Princeton. Most colleges still list their policies for the class of 2024. Few have specifically updated their guidance on superscoring across paper SAT and digital SAT. It is likely to boil down to whether or not a college gives more weight to the fact that scores are not changing or to the fact that the test did, literally, change. We hope to see most schools accept superscoring, but it is too early to say with certainty.

  • Bob says:

    Syracuse also does not require all scores. Confirmed by multiple people, myself included, with Syracuse admissions.

    “We do not require all scores to be sent. Students should send the scores they want us to consider and superscore”.
    – Associate Director of Admissions.
    1/10/24.

Leave a Reply