Have you been confused by SAT ACT superscore? Have you explored college websites for hours to learn what SAT ACT scores they need, how they utilize them, and what they require? Each college, and occasionally each department, will have a distinct policy regarding using SAT ACT scores.
Let’s examine how colleges evaluate your scores and what it means.
What is a Superscore?
Consider a scenario in which you took the SAT twice, once in the springtime and once in the fall. Your Math score decreased by 10 points, while your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score improved by 80 points. Colleges that employ this would use your highest section-level marks, even if they are obtained from multiple tests. Many institutions with a policy urge students to submit all of their test results, and some do so as a requirement. This enables them to regularly and adequately compare the highest section results across all candidates.
Students may achieve their exams at several colleges. A student would select their highest test results in a subject from numerous sittings if outcomes were used. Combining and matching sectional scores from many test dates often result in more significant than the composite ACT or SAT score derived from a single sitting.
Which colleges are Superscore?
However, not all colleges take into account your SAT and/or ACT superscores. To develop the most efficient application plan, find out the policies for each institution you apply to. To ensure that you are given the best chance of being accepted to honors colleges, scholarships, or bridge programs, several institutions strongly advise that you provide all of your test results (even if just your highest section scores will be considered). The complete list of universities that achieve the ACT is given here.
Regarding the SAT, The College Board produces a helpful table outlining the score requirements for participating institutions, but it is always advisable to verify with each institution separately.
Do I superscore myself, or does the university do it?
It is determined by the college. You may need to submit all of your test results to some universities. They will perform the computations if they superscore. Some institutions encourage you to offer all of your results, but they don’t demand it. Finally, some universities allow you to calculate the score independently by letting you pick which marks from which sittings you wish to submit.
How often should you take a test?
Without enough preparation, taking an official ACT or SAT test can harm students’ confidence and undermine their applications. The student might prefer he or she could “hide” parts of their testing history if their dream colleges wind up needing all of their results.
Students should instead take timed, proctored practice exams under settings similar to actual exams. Practice test results provide more thorough and rapid feedback. Students should only take the official exams after they have had plenty of opportunities to take several practice exams and learn from their mistakes. We at Seven Square Learning offer several practice sessions before the actual exams.
It is ideal for students to take an official exam no more than two or three times. Before applying, be sure to study the score choice policies of the colleges.
SAT ACT Score and Merit Aid
Even if you already have scores that place you in excellent standing to get accepted to the colleges you are applying to, there is a convincing reason to retake the ACT/SAT. The selection of candidates who get merit aid offers is heavily influenced by standardized test results. Keep in mind that the purpose of merit aid is to provide a sufficient discount to draw exceptional students.
Using two measures, you may determine your likelihood of receiving merit assistance at a specific university. The first is the proportion of students who get merit-based financial aid; these figures are readily available online. The second is to look at approved students’ SAT/ACT scores that are in the 75th percentile.
It is also simple to get information like this online or in almost any college handbook. You have a good chance of receiving a substantial offer if your score is at or above that mark, and the school in consideration has a reputation for offering merit aid that is relatively big.
In conclusion, you should give it all on every SAT you take while strategically aiming to achieve your greatest superscore. If you’re reading school regulations on superscoring and Score Choice, you’re already doing the most essential thing: being attentive and intentional about every part of your college application to present the best candidature possible. And for the test prep, be assured with Seven Square Learning.
