Understanding SAT superscores

Hi there! I've heard people mention SAT superscores when discussing college applications. Could someone give me a quick rundown on what they are and how colleges use them in the admissions process? Thanks!

Hi! SAT superscoring is a policy used by some colleges during their admissions process that essentially focuses on your highest individual section scores from different testing dates. Instead of merely evaluating a single composite SAT score, colleges that superscore take your best Math score and your best Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score from different test dates and combine them into a new "superscore." This benefits applicants because it allows them to showcase their best performance in each section, which may have occurred on separate testing dates.

For example, let's say you took the SAT twice and got the following scores:

- Test 1: Math 700, EBRW 600 (Composite 1300)

- Test 2: Math 650, EBRW 640 (Composite 1290)

If a college superscores, they would take your best Math score (700) from Test 1 and your best EBRW score (640) from Test 2, resulting in a superscore of 700 + 640 = 1340.

To take advantage of superscoring when applying to colleges, it's essential to research each of your chosen schools' admissions policies because not all institutions superscore. Those that do may have varying requirements when it comes to submitting your SAT scores. Some might ask you to send all your scores, while others may only require your best scores from each section. Make sure you understand their requirements to present your strongest application and effectively utilize superscoring.

In conclusion, SAT superscoring can positively impact your college application by highlighting your highest section scores and potentially increasing your overall SAT score. It's crucial to understand the specific SAT policies of each college you're planning to apply to so you can strategize your testing and score submission accordingly. Good luck!