My main concern comes with many of the selective schools.
I got a 1180 on the SAT in May. 640 reading, 540 math. Felt pretty bad about it, freaked out for a while. Since I had AP tests for the rest of May and not time to study for June, I’m taking the August test and shooting for ~1500. I know a 300 jump is the most some people want out of SAT prep. That’s not my point though.
Even if God willing I got a perfect 1600, that “only” superscores me to a 1390. I’d need to take yet another test to “even” boost me to a 1460. I realize these are scores some people can only hope to dream for, but when it comes to applying for, say, UPenn or Columbia- my dream schools- they’re on the cusp of bottom-tier.
So do admissions offices do more than just superscore? Do they indeed see that I improved and begin to consider? You can be honest, I’d just rather know the truth here. Obviously a higher score will help me with many similar schools, so I’ll be taking it anyway: but it’s a question about how admissions works for these types of schools.
If anyone even knows, of course. Thank you for your comments!
Superscoring is not averaging. It means they take the highest score for each section to come up with a new score. For example if you received in test 1 650M/770E and in test 2 you received 770M/650E, your superscore would be 770M/770E. So in your case if you made 1600 in your next sitting, your superscore would be 1600.
@BKSquared Oh, jeez, my bad! What’s the term then to describe when they compile the scores? I could have sworn that was the system- if not, then that’s even better for me!
Most colleges use superscoring, as @BKSquared described, with few exceptions. You should check the policy of each individuals college just to make sure. Some colleges may require you to send all your scores and will see the other scores – but will take the highest scores from each sections. Most colleges do not superscore the ACT however.
Maybe you’re thinking of the ACT composite score, which is the mean of the section subscores in one test. That has nothing to do with taking it more than once.