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Pros and cons of superscoring?

I've heard about superscoring, but I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. What do you think are the pros and cons of superscoring? Is there any disadvantage to submitting a superscored application?

8 months ago

Superscoring refers to the practice of colleges considering only the highest section scores from multiple test dates when reviewing a student's standardized test scores, such as the SAT or ACT. Here are the pros and cons of superscoring:

Pros:

1. Maximize your score: Superscoring allows you to capitalize on your best performance in each section, ultimately resulting in a higher composite score.

2. Focus on weak areas: If you're stronger in one section, you can dedicate more time to strengthening your weaker sections on subsequent test attempts.

3. Less stress: Knowing that colleges will only consider your highest scores across multiple tests can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with standardized testing.

4. Better reflection of potential: Some students argue that superscoring is a truer representation of their capabilities and potential success in college.

Cons:

1. Limited availability: Not all colleges practice superscoring, so it's crucial to check the policies of each school you apply to.

2. Additional testing costs: To capitalize on superscoring, some students may take the test multiple times, which means incurring additional testing fees.

3. Diminishing returns: There can be a point of diminishing returns when taking the test multiple times, as your scores may plateau, or you might be better off investing time in other aspects of your application.

4. Time-consuming: Studying and preparing for multiple test dates can be a significant time investment, potentially taking away from other valuable activities.

In general, there's no inherent disadvantage to submitting a superscored application. Colleges that practice superscoring will view it favorably, as they're interested in admitting students with the highest potential. However, it's important to be aware of each school's policy and weigh the pros and cons mentioned above before deciding whether to take multiple tests for superscoring purposes.

8 months ago

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