What is superscoring

Okay, so I keep hearing about "superscoring" my ACT/SAT scores, especially when it comes to applying to colleges. I took the SAT twice and the ACT once. On the first SAT, my Math was amazing, but my Reading/Writing was just okay. The second time, my Reading/Writing score improved a lot, but my Math dropped a little. I haven’t heard back about my ACT score yet.

I’m just really confused about what superscoring actually is. Like, does it mean colleges just take the highest score from any section of any test I took, and combine them to make some ultimate, super-high score? And if so, do all colleges do it? Does it only apply if I take the same test multiple times (like the SAT twice), or can they combine scores from both the SAT and the ACT? And how do I even send them this "superscore"? Do I just send all my test scores and hope they figure it out? Or is there a specific process?

I just want to make sure I’m presenting the best possible picture of my abilities to the colleges I’m applying to. Thanks!

Answer

Superscoring is a practice used by some colleges and universities in their admissions process where they consider the highest scores achieved across multiple administrations of standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, rather than relying solely on the results of a single test date. Essentially, the institution takes the best score from each section of the test, regardless of when those scores were earned, and combines them to create a new, higher composite score.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

How it Works:

1. Multiple Test Attempts: Students take the SAT or ACT more than once, hoping to improve their scores in specific sections.

2. Section-Specific High Scores: The college looks at all the test dates submitted by the student. For each section of the test (e.g., Math, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing for the SAT; English, Math, Reading, Science for the ACT), they identify the student’s highest score.

3. Composite Score Creation: The college combines the highest scores from each section to create a new composite score. This composite score is often higher than any of the scores the student received on a single test date. For the SAT, the highest Math score and the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score are added together. For the ACT, the average of the highest scores in English, Math, Reading, and Science is calculated.

Example (SAT):

• Test Date 1: Math = 650, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing = 600
• Test Date 2: Math = 680, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing = 620
• Test Date 3: Math = 660, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing = 640

A college that superscores would take the highest Math score (680 from Test Date 2) and the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score (640 from Test Date 3). The superscore would be 680 + 640 = 1320.

Example (ACT):

• Test Date 1: English = 30, Math = 27, Reading = 28, Science = 25
• Test Date 2: English = 32, Math = 28, Reading = 27, Science = 26
• Test Date 3: English = 31, Math = 29, Reading = 29, Science = 27

A college that superscores would take the highest English score (32 from Test Date 2), the highest Math score (29 from Test Date 3), the highest Reading score (29 from Test Date 3), and the highest Science score (27 from Test Date 3). The superscore would be (32 + 29 + 29 + 27)/4 = 29.25. This is typically rounded to a 29.

Why Colleges Superscore:

• Focus on True Potential: Colleges argue that superscoring provides a more accurate reflection of a student’s academic abilities by isolating their best performance in each subject area. They believe a single test score might not represent a student’s true capabilities due to test anxiety, illness, or other factors on that specific day.
• Attract Stronger Applicants: Superscoring can increase the average test scores of admitted students, making the college appear more selective and academically rigorous.
• Encourage Multiple Attempts: Superscoring encourages students to retake the tests, potentially increasing revenue for the testing agencies.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Colleges use test scores, along with other factors, to predict student success. They believe superscores offer a more reliable predictor.

What Students Need to Do:

• Research College Policies: It is crucial for students to research the testing policies of each college they are applying to. Some colleges superscore both the SAT and ACT, some superscore only one, and others do not superscore at all. Many colleges explicitly state their policy on their admissions website.
• Submit All Scores: If a college superscores, students need to submit scores from all test dates, as the admissions office will need to identify the highest scores from each section. Failing to submit all scores may prevent the college from superscoring.
• Focus on Weak Areas: Knowing that colleges superscore can help students focus their test preparation on areas where they are weaker, as improving in just one section can raise their overall superscore.

Important Considerations:

• Not Universally Accepted: Not all colleges superscore. Some colleges require students to submit all test scores and will only consider the best single test date. Others may require all scores to be sent but will only consider the highest composite score from a single sitting.
• College-Specific Policies: Even among colleges that superscore, there can be variations in how they implement the policy. Some might have specific rules about the number of times a student can take the test or require that all scores be submitted directly from the testing agency.
• Holistic Review: It’s essential to remember that test scores are only one factor in the college admissions process. Colleges also consider GPA, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and other factors. A high superscore does not guarantee admission.

In summary, superscoring is a score-reporting method employed by some colleges where the highest section scores from multiple test administrations are combined to create a new, higher composite score. It’s important for students to understand the specific policies of each college to which they are applying and to strategize their test preparation and score submission accordingly.