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What are SAT Score Choice & SAT Superscoring?
SAT Score Choice and Superscoring: A Strategy Guide for College Applications
Making smart decisions about your SAT scores can give your college applications a competitive edge. While our previous blog post walked you through the mechanics of sending SAT scores to colleges, this one dives deeper into two powerful tools that can help optimize your score reporting strategy: Score Choice and Superscoring.
Think of Score Choice and Superscoring as your secret weapons in the college application process. While many students simply send all their scores without a second thought, understanding these options can help you present your academic achievements in the best possible light. It’s like having the ability to curate your own academic story – but only if you know how to use these tools effectively.
For those who haven’t read our comprehensive guide on SAT score sending basics (covering when to send scores, costs, and timelines), you might want to start there first: How to Send SAT Scores: A Definitive Guide.
Table of Contents
What is SAT Score Choice? [Understanding Your Rights]
Let’s kick off with a clear understanding of SAT Score Choice, a powerful tool that many students overlook in their college application process. Before diving into the specifics, here’s something crucial to remember: you have more control over your SAT score reporting than you might think.
How Does the College Board’s SAT Score Choice Policy Work?
The College Board’s Score Choice policy puts you in the driver’s seat of your SAT score reporting journey. Before you take the SAT, it’s crucial to understand this policy as it allows you to pick and choose which SAT test dates you want to share with colleges when you’ve taken the test multiple times. It’s like having an editor for your test scores – you get to decide which chapters of your SAT story to share.
Here’s a real-world scenario to help you understand how it works:
Meet Sarah, a high school junior who took the SAT three times:
March 2024: 1390 (Math: 720, Reading/Writing: 670)
June 2024: 1420 (Math: 700, Reading/Writing: 720)
August 2024: 1400 (Math: 740, Reading/Writing: 660)
With Score Choice, Sarah can:
Send only her June score (1420) to colleges that don’t require all scores
Send different combinations to different schools based on their policies
Choose to send all three scores if she believes showing her testing journey would benefit her application
Is There a Fee for Using SAT Score Choice?
Here’s some good news – Score Choice won’t cost you an extra penny! While sending score reports (more than the free four score reports) to colleges does have associated fees, using Score Choice itself is completely free. Think of it as a complimentary feature that comes bundled with your score reporting service.
Whether you choose to send one test date or multiple test dates to a particular college, the cost remains the same. It’s like ordering a pizza – whether you choose all mushrooms or half pepperoni, the base price doesn’t change!
What’s the Default Option for Score Choice?
Let’s talk about what happens if you don’t actively make any Score Choice selections. The College Board keeps it simple – by default, all your SAT scores will be sent to the colleges you’ve selected. It’s like having your entire academic record set to “share all” unless you specifically choose otherwise.
But here’s something important that catches many students off guard: regardless of how you use Score Choice for college applications, both you and your high school will receive a complete record of all your SAT attempts. Think of it as having two different channels of score reporting:
Channel 1 – To Colleges:
You can control which scores colleges see (using Score Choice)
Default setting: All scores are sent
You must actively select specific test dates if you don’t want all scores sent
Channel 2 – To You and Your High School:
Always receives complete testing history
Cannot be modified by Score Choice
Shows every SAT attempt and score
When Can You Use Score Choice?
Score Choice is available whenever you’re sending Additional score reports online or by phone – but only after your tests have been scored.
However, the College Board has not made SAT Score Choice available with your free score reports. These are the complimentary score reports you get when you:
Register for a weekend SAT
Take the SAT during school-day testing
Benefits of SAT Score Choice
SAT Score Choice offers several benefits to students, making it a valuable tool in the college application process. Here are some of the advantages of using SAT Score Choice:
Reduced Stress: One of the biggest advantages of SAT Score Choice is the reduction in stress. Knowing that you can choose which scores to send to colleges means you don’t have to worry about performing perfectly on a single test date. This can make the entire testing experience less nerve-wracking and more manageable.
Improved Test Day Experience: With the pressure off, you can focus on doing your best without the fear of a bad test day haunting your college applications. This can lead to a more positive and productive test day experience, allowing you to perform to the best of your abilities.
More Control Over Test Results: SAT Score Choice puts you in the driver’s seat. You have the power to decide which scores to send, giving you more control over how your academic achievements are presented to colleges. This can be particularly beneficial if you have one test date where you didn’t perform as well as you’d hoped.
Increased Flexibility: The flexibility to take the SAT multiple times and choose which scores to send can significantly improve your chances of getting into your desired college. You can take the test more than once, knowing that only your best scores will be seen by admissions officers.
Better Representation of Abilities: By allowing you to showcase your best scores, SAT Score Choice provides a more accurate representation of your abilities. Instead of being limited to a single test date, you can highlight your strengths and present a more comprehensive picture of your academic potential.
In essence, SAT Score Choice is like having a safety net. It allows you to take the SAT multiple times without the fear of a single bad day affecting your college applications. This can lead to a more relaxed and confident approach to the test, ultimately helping you achieve your best possible scores.
Understanding SAT Superscoring: Your Complete Guide
What is SAT Superscoring and How Does it Work?
Superscoring is like having your best performance in each section of the SAT count, even if they happened on different test dates. It’s the college admissions equivalent of putting together an all-star team – taking your highest Math score from one test date and your highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score from another to create your optimal SAT score.
Looking back at Sarah’s SAT attempts:
March 2024: 1390 (Math: 720, Reading/Writing: 670)
June 2024: 1420 (Math: 700, Reading/Writing: 720)
August 2024: 1400 (Math: 740, Reading/Writing: 660)
While her highest single-test score was 1420 from June, her Superscore computed from best individual section scores tells a different story:
Highest Math Score: 740 (from August)
Highest Reading/Writing Score: 720 (from June)
Sarah’s Superscore: 1460 (740 + 720)
And for colleges that Superscore the SAT, her chances of admission and scholarships increase significantly.
What’s the Difference Between Score Choice and Superscoring?
Think of Score Choice and Superscoring as two different players in your college application game, each controlled by different teams. Score Choice is your player – you’re in control. Superscoring belongs to the college team – they make the rules.
With Score Choice, you’re the decision-maker. You get to choose which complete SAT test dates to send to colleges if you have taken the SAT multiple times. Once colleges receive your scores, however, they decide whether to:
Look at your highest section scores across multiple tests (SAT Superscores)
Consider only your highest total score from a single test date
Review all scores as part of your complete testing history
Which Colleges Use Superscoring?
Before we dive into specific college policies, here’s a crucial heads-up: testing policies can change from year to year. While we’ll share current practices at top institutions, always check the college admissions process from respective official admissions websites for the most up-to-date information.
Ivy League Superscoring Policies:
List of Colleges That Both Superscore and Accept Score Choice:
Brown University
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
These institutions offer a variety of programs, such as the school of engineering at Columbia University and the school of business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Special Cases:
Harvard: Accepts Score Choice and Superscores SAT (With ACT they take strongest single attempt)
Princeton: Accepts Score Choice but doesn’t Superscore
Cornell: Superscores both tests
Other Top Universities:
Stanford University: Superscores both SAT and ACT
MIT: Considers highest section scores across all attempts (effectively Superscoring)
Score Sending Policies and Strategic Decisions
University Requirements for Score Choice
When it comes to score reporting policies, colleges don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Some colleges want to see your complete testing history (scores from all SAT dates), while others are perfectly fine with you sending selected scores. Here’s your three-step strategy for navigating score reporting requirements:
Check the official admissions website for explicit score reporting policies
If policies aren’t clear, contact the admissions office directly
Document each school’s requirements as you research to avoid confusion later
Should You Send All Scores or Only a Single Score?
On the topic of SAT score reporting strategies, your SAT score sending strategy should align with both college policies and your testing history. For colleges that allow Score Choice, you’ve got room to be strategic about presenting your academic achievements. The good news? When using Score Choice, colleges won’t know how many times you’ve taken the SAT.
However, for colleges requiring all scores, you’ll need to show your complete testing journey. This is why planning matters:
Aim to take the SAT no more than 3 times
Prepare thoroughly for each attempt
Space out your tests to allow adequate preparation time
How to Maximize Your SAT Superscore?
Planning Early: Strategic SAT Timeline for Indian Students
Smart SAT planning starts right after your Class 10 board exams budgeting for the possibility of taking the SAT more than once. Here’s why this timing works perfectly:
The Ideal Timeline:
First Attempt: June/August (Summer between Class 10 and 11)
You’re fresh from your board exam preparation
Math concepts are still crystal clear
You have ample time to prepare without school pressure
Follow-up Attempts: December-March (Class 11)
You’ve gained more academic knowledge
Can focus on improving specific sections
Still have buffer time before college applications
Final Attempt if needed: June (Before Class 12)
Perfect timing to finalize your scores
Leaves you stress-free for Class 12 boards
Ready with scores for early applications
Focus on One Section in an Attempt
While focusing on one section can help improve your scores strategically, you’ll want to avoid extreme disparities between sections or attempts.
Smart Section Focus Strategy:
Choose one section for intensive preparation
Maintain reasonable performance in the other section
Aim for balanced improvement over time
✓ Good Pattern:
First attempt: 1380 (Math: 680, Reading/Writing: 700)
Second attempt: 1420 (Math: 720, Reading/Writing: 700)
⚠️ Concerning Pattern:
First attempt: 1380 (Math: 680, Reading/Writing: 700)
Second attempt: 1400 (Math: 780, Reading/Writing: 620)
The key is balanced progression – show improvement while maintaining consistency across sections. This approach demonstrates both focused preparation and well-rounded academic abilities.
What Do Test Flexible and Test Optional Really Mean?
The landscape of standardized testing in college admissions has evolved significantly, offering students more flexibility in how they present their academic strengths. Understanding these admission policies can help you make strategic decisions about your college applications.
Test Optional: Your Choice Matters
Test optional means exactly what it sounds like – you decide whether to submit standardized test scores. But here’s the nuance many candidates miss: “optional” doesn’t mean “irrelevant” in the admissions decision process. Think of test scores as an extra tool in your application toolkit – useful when they strengthen your case, but not required if they don’t.
Test Flexible: Multiple Paths to Prove Your Merit
Test flexible policies offer more creative ways to demonstrate your academic abilities. Instead of requiring specific tests like the SAT, these schools allow you to choose from a menu of standardized testing options, such as:
AP exam scores
IB test results
SAT Subject Tests (for schools still accepting them)
Other standardized assessments
Making Strategic Decisions
Here’s how to navigate these policies based on your specific situation:
If You Have Strong SAT Scores:
Submit them even to test-optional schools
They can differentiate you in a competitive applicant pool
Use them to reinforce your academic capabilities
If Your Standardized Test Scores Are Below Target Range:
Focus on test-optional schools as they are not an application requirement
Highlight other strengths in your application
Emphasize academic achievements, extracurriculars, and essays
If You Excel in Other Standardized Tests:
Target test-flexible schools that value your specific achievements
Leverage strong AP/IB scores effectively
Research each school’s specific policy requirements
Pro Tip: Remember that “test flexible” means different things at different schools. Some might accept any standardized test scores, while others might require specific combinations or have minimum score requirements.
Key Takeaways: Your SAT Score Reporting Action Plan
Understanding Your Tools
Score Choice: Your control over which test dates to send
Superscoring: College’s method of combining your best individual scores
Default Setting: All scores are sent unless you actively choose otherwise
Timeline Planning
Start after Class 10 board exams
Complete testing by June of Class 12
Leave buffer time for early applications
Limit attempts to 3 or fewer
Strategic Decision Making
Research individual college’s policies thoroughly from their official website
Balance section scores when focusing on improvements
Consider test-optional/flexible policies as part of your strategy
Use Score Choice when allowed to present your best performance
Smart Score Sending
Never assume score reporting policies
Document each school’s requirements from respective college websites
Plan for early decision/action deadlines
Consider costs and free score report timing
Closing Thoughts
Your SAT score reporting strategy is more than just sending numbers to colleges – it’s about presenting your academic journey in the most compelling way possible. Whether you’re using SAT Score Choice, aiming for a strong Superscore, or deciding between test-optional policies, remember that these tools are meant to help you put your best foot forward. Take the time to understand each college’s admission process, plan your testing timeline thoughtfully, and make informed decisions about when and how to report your scores. With careful planning and strategic thinking, you can use these options to strengthen your college applications and increase your chances of admission to your dream schools.
