What does it mean if a college uses a Superscore for SAT or ACT scores?

What is a superscore? Your superscore is the average of your best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts. Your superscore is never lower than a single Composite score.

What does it mean if a college will Superscore your ACT or SAT scores?

Colleges that superscore the ACT will look at your highest individual test scores and calculate a new, composite score across all your test dates.

Do colleges care about ACT Superscore?

ACT supports the use of superscoring in making college admissions decisions. Colleges set their own policies regarding superscoring. However, ACT will supply them at least one full composite score with each superscore, plus all the scores from the test events that are part of the superscore composite.

Do colleges care about SAT Superscore?

Colleges that superscore the SAT use your best section-level scores, even if they're from different tests. Many colleges that follow a superscore policy encourage students to submit all test scores, and some colleges require that all scores be sent.

Does superscoring ACT look bad?

Retaking an exam will certainly not hinder your college chances. With adequate preparation, your score will typically increase — and that will make you even more competitive in the admissions process. And with superscoring, colleges probably won't even consider your lower scores. One-and-done is done.

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Do colleges prefer composite or Superscore ACT?

There has been some concern that using only the best subject-test scores could overstate students' capabilities. However, research shows ACT superscores are better at predicting success in college than other scoring methods (including recent ACT score, average ACT Composite score, and highest ACT Composite score).

Do colleges look more at ACT or SAT?

This is a common misconception. Colleges don't have a preference between the SAT or ACT so it's important to know how to choose the test that's right for you. Both tests are widely accepted across U.S. colleges—including those that are test optional.

Is it better to send ACT Superscore?

Here are some of our recommendations on when to send additional score reports: Send scores with your best section results to colleges that superscore the ACT. These schools will make a new composite score for you using your best English, Math, Reading, and Science scores from any ACTs you took.

Do Ivy Leagues accept Superscore ACT?

They'll focus on your highest ACT composite (no superscoring), but they'll also consider individual subscores. So for the SAT you can feel confident that they'll superscore, but for the ACT, it's your highest composite score that matters most.

Does Harvard accept Superscore?

You may choose to send your ACT superscores to Harvard. When you do so, we will also receive the full results from your best sitting, including highest composite from a single test date. We will review all of these scores if you choose to apply with consideration of tests in your application.

Why is your ACT Superscore beneficial?

Superscoring benefits colleges because it places them higher up in the rankings for average exam scores of admitted students. It also benefits students because you get credit for your best scores from each section even if they happened at different times rather than being stuck with a composite score from one test.

Do most colleges look at Superscore?

The vast majority of colleges and universities in the United States will take an applicant's superscore. In other words–their best combined critical reading and math score.

Does ACT automatically send superscore?

ACT provides an automatically calculated ACT Superscore to all students who have taken the ACT more than once from September 2016 to current day.

Do colleges see how many times you take the ACT?

Can colleges see how many times you take the ACT? They can only see what you send them. Though there are a few colleges that ask you send all your scores. Colleges do not penalize students for multiple attempts at the exam.

Is a 32 ACT good enough for Harvard?

Average ACT: 34

The 25th percentile ACT score is 34, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 36. In other words, a 34 places you below average, while a 36 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 34 to have a chance at being considered.

Does Harvard prefer ACT or SAT?

Harvard has no preference between the SAT and ACT, so choose the test that's a better fit for you, thoroughly prepare for it, and plan to take it multiple times. The range of SAT scores and ACT composite scores for students admitted to Harvard varies.

Is 33 ACT good enough for Harvard?

A 33 lands you solidly in the mid-range for average acceptance at places like Yale and Harvard, above their 25th percentile, which is 32, but below the 75th, which is 34-35.

Is Superscore less impressive?

In the eyes of colleges that superscore, this student has a perfect score since he or she managed to get an 800 on each section at least once. Superscoring benefits colleges because it places them higher up in the rankings for average SAT scores of admitted students.

Can I use my ACT Superscore for scholarships?

Your ACT Scholarship Search Starts Here

On average, students who take the test more than once increase their score and can take advantage of superscoring - the average of your best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts. We've pulled together a list of more than 80 scholarships that require an ACT score.

Do elite colleges prefer SAT or ACT?

That's a myth.

Elite colleges and universities DO NOT prefer the SAT over the ACT. Roughly 45% choose the ACT and 55% the SAT of all university applicants. The popularity of the two is split nearly down the middle (give or take a few percentage points).

Why take ACT instead of SAT?

Both tests evaluate your skills in reading, writing, and math. However, the ACT goes a step further by offering an optional essay component that can highlight your writing skills to provide a more well-rounded assessment of your academic abilities.

Do Ivy Leagues prefer ACT or SAT?

No matter what you might've heard, Ivy League schools have no preference between the ACT and SAT. You can submit scores from either test or from both of them without worrying that your application will be dinged. Ultimately, choosing between the SAT and the ACT comes down to personal preference.

Why don t colleges superscore the ACT?

Some colleges choose not to superscore in an attempt to keep application costs down for students applying to their school.

How rare is a 36 ACT Superscore?

Having a perfect ACT score is very rare: Nearly 1.35 million test-takers took the ACT in 2022, and of those, only 3,376 received a 36.

What is the highest ACT score you can get?

The highest possible score on the ACT is 36. The current average ACT score is 19.5. A "good" ACT score depends on the colleges and universities you are considering.