Colleges that consider a superscore allow applicants to submit their highest section scores from multiple administrations of standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Instead of evaluating performance based on a single test date, admissions committees focus on the best results achieved in each individual section across all attempts. For example, if an applicant took the SAT twice and scored 700 on Math and 650 on Reading on the first attempt, and then 680 on Math and 720 on Reading on the second attempt, the superscore would be 700 for Math and 720 for Reading.
The practice of considering superscores can benefit applicants by showcasing their peak performance and mitigating the impact of test-day anxiety or other temporary factors that might negatively influence scores on a single test date. This approach allows institutions to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant’s abilities and potential, potentially increasing an applicant’s competitiveness. The adoption of superscoring policies by numerous colleges reflects a growing trend toward a more holistic and nuanced evaluation of standardized test results in the admissions process.
