Okay, so I took the SAT twice. The first time, I totally bombed the math section. Like, REALLY bombed it. The second time, I did much better overall, especially in math. I used Score Choice the second time and only sent that score report to the colleges I’m applying to.
But now I’m panicking! Are colleges going to see both of my scores anyway? Does it depend on the college? I’m applying to a mix of places: some Ivy League schools, some big state universities, and some smaller liberal arts colleges. Do they all have the same policy? I’m just worried that my bad score will hurt my chances, even if I used Score Choice. Does Score Choice actually work the way it’s supposed to, or do colleges find out anyway? Help!
Answer
Whether colleges see all your SAT scores depends on the college’s specific score-use policy. Here’s a breakdown of the different policies and how they work:
Score Choice (College Board Policy):
The College Board offers a service called "Score Choice." This allows you to choose which SAT scores you want to send to colleges. You are not obligated to send all of your scores. When you register for the SAT, you can pre-select colleges to send scores to. You can also send scores after you receive them. If a college accepts Score Choice, it will only see the scores you intentionally send to it.
College Score-Use Policies:
Colleges have different policies regarding how they use SAT scores. These policies generally fall into three categories:
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Score Choice Accepted: These colleges only consider the scores you submit to them. They will not require or seek out scores from other test dates. If a college specifically says they accept "Score Choice," then they will only see the scores you choose to send. This is the most common policy.
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"Highest Section" (Superscoring): Some colleges engage in superscoring. This means they take your highest section scores (e.g., Math, Evidence-Based Reading & Writing) from different test dates and combine them to create the best possible composite score. While they may require you to submit all your scores, they will only use the highest score from each section in their evaluation. Even if they require all scores, they are only factoring in the best possible combination.
- "All Scores Required": A few colleges require you to submit all your SAT scores from every test date. In this case, they will see your entire testing history. Even with this policy, colleges typically focus on your best performance, but they might consider the consistency of your scores or any significant score improvements over time. While they see everything, this doesn’t necessarily mean every score is weighted equally or negatively impacts your application.
How to Determine a College’s Policy:
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Check the College’s Website: This is the most reliable way to find the information. Look for the admissions section or the section on standardized testing requirements. Search for keywords such as "SAT," "score policy," "score choice," "superscore," or "testing requirements."
- Contact the Admissions Office: If the website is unclear, call or email the admissions office directly and ask about their SAT score policy.
Important Considerations:
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Honesty: It is generally expected that you follow the stated score-use policy of each college. Attempting to hide scores from colleges that require all scores could be considered a violation of the application process.
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Score Improvement: If you have significant score improvements, sending all scores can demonstrate your dedication and growth.
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Superscoring Benefits: If a college superscores, sending all scores gives them the opportunity to create the highest possible composite score for you.
- Withdrawing Scores: You cannot retroactively withdraw scores from previous SAT administrations. The Score Choice option only applies to choosing which scores to send.
In summary: the majority of colleges will only see the scores you choose to send them. However, it’s critical to verify the specific score-use policy of each college you are applying to, to ensure you comply with their requirements.
