Can anyone explain SAT superscoring?

I've heard the term SAT superscoring thrown around a lot and was wondering if someone could explain what it means. How does superscoring work and which colleges use it when considering my application?

Sure! SAT superscoring is a policy used by some colleges during the admissions process, where they will consider the highest section scores from multiple test administrations, rather than using only the scores from a single test date.

To better explain the process, let's say you took the SAT twice with the following scores:

Test 1:

- Math: 700

- Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): 600

- Total: 1300

Test 2:

- Math: 650

- EBRW: 650

- Total: 1300

With superscoring, the college would take your highest Math score (700 from Test 1) and your highest EBRW score (650 from Test 2), creating a new "superscored" total of 1350 (700 + 650).

Keep in mind that not all colleges use superscoring. Some colleges will only consider your score from a single test date, while others might use a different approach. To find out if a specific college uses superscoring, you can check their admissions website or contact their admissions office, as policies may vary.

It's important to remember that while superscoring can potentially boost your overall SAT score, colleges also consider other aspects of your application, such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make sure to create a balanced profile by focusing on different aspects of your application, in addition to your SAT scores.