Hey guys, I've taken the ACT twice now, but I'm not quite sure about how composite scores and superscores work. What's the difference between the two? Do colleges usually look at one over the other? Any insights would be super helpful!
Hello! I'm happy to help clarify the difference between ACT composite scores and superscores.
A composite score is the average of your four ACT section scores: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each of these sections is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and your composite score will also be on a scale of 1 to 36. To calculate your composite score, add up your four section scores and then divide the sum by four, rounding to the nearest whole number.
On the other hand, an ACT superscore is created by combining your highest section scores across multiple test dates. For example, if you took the ACT twice and got the following scores:
Test 1: English 32, Math 28, Reading 30, Science 31 (Composite: 30)
Test 2: English 31, Math 33, Reading 32, Science 29 (Composite: 31)
Your superscore would be:
Superscore: English 32, Math 33, Reading 32, Science 31 (Composite: 32)
As you can see, the superscore can potentially result in a higher composite score than any individual ACT test because it takes the highest section scores from different test dates.
The way colleges consider ACT scores can vary. Some schools will only consider composite scores from a single test date, while others will review your superscores, taking the highest individual sections from multiple test dates. It's essential to research the specific admissions requirements of each of the schools you're interested in to understand how they view ACT scores.
Some colleges may explicitly state that they superscore the ACT, while others may use terms like "highest section scores" or "highest subscores" to indicate they superscore. In any case, it's generally a good idea to send all of your ACT scores to the colleges you're applying to, as it allows them to see your entire testing history and give you the best possible evaluation of your academic abilities.
I hope this clears things up! Good luck with your college applications!
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