Superscoring for ACT: How's it Calculated?

I've taken the ACT a few times now and I've been told that some colleges superscore. Can someone break down how the calculation works? And do all colleges superscore or only a select few?

Superscoring for the ACT is a process where colleges consider your highest section scores across all the dates you took the exam, rather than simply taking your highest composite score from a single sitting.

Here's an example of how it works: Let's say you took the ACT three times, and these were your scores:

- Test 1: English 30, Math 26, Reading 28, Science 32

- Test 2: English 29, Math 28, Reading 31, Science 31

- Test 3: English 31, Math 27, Reading 30, Science 33

In a superscore scenario, the college would take the highest score you achieved in each section across all your attempts - English from Test 3 (31), Math from Test 2 (28), Reading from Test 2 (31), and Science from Test 3 (33). These superscores would then be averaged to get a composite superscore, which in this case, would be 31.

However, it's important to note that not all colleges superscore - while some do, others might look just at the highest composite score from one testing, or they might consider all scores you've submitted. Policies can vary widely from institution to institution so you should research each college's test score policy on their website or contact their admissions office directly for the most accurate information. Overall, it's an advantage for students because it presents you in the best possible light. You can continue to improve your section scores without worrying that a lower score in one area will pull down your composite ACT score.