Does anyone know if the SAT Essay is Superscored just like the other parts of the SAT are? I took the SAT twice- the first time scoring very high, but I did not take the essay. So I took it a second time, just to have the essay portion for a few of my schools that require it, but scored lower on both the Reading/Writing Section and the Math section. Will I be able to submit both SATs, and have the Essay section superscored over from my second test without the lower scores on my second test being considered?
The essay is not factored into the score. It is scored separately. You would just submit both and the schools will see your different components.
What the OP is asking is can she use the math and English scores from the first test and the essay from the second. Does anyone know? Or will schools that want the essay only take math and English scores from tests where she took the essay?
OP- I have a feeling you may not get an answer here. I’ve asked a few times now and haven’t gotten a sure response. Best to call the schools that want the essay and ask them directly.
She cant use part of any test. she has to submit both tests in full. The schools Superscore i–f they do that
The superscoring policy depends on each school. For example, the University of California requires the essay and says they will not superscore the SAT, so you need to submit one sitting of EBRW, Math, and Essay. However, Stanford requires the essay and says they will take the highest EBRW, Math, and Essay scores from all sittings. Williams superscores but says the essay is optional. Amherst superscores but says the essay is recommended. Georgetown apparently hasn’t published its policy on the essay portion for the redesigned SAT, but they don’t require the writing section of the ACT, so that’s a clue.
Stanford wants to see all administrations of the SAT and ACT, but lets you choose on Subject Tests. Georgetown wants to see all administrations of the SAT, ACT, and Subject Tests.
So, it really depends on the schools you are applying to.
I was wondering this too. If I scored well on the essay on the first sitting but want to retake the multiple choice, will colleges such as Stanford accept a second sitting without the essay, since I already have one in the first sitting? Or do I need to take the essay every time?
For Stanford, this should be fine, since they superscore all components. In other words, they are looking for your best EBRW, best Math, and best Essay score. For the University of California, this would not be acceptable, since they do not superscore, so they are looking for all three components on a single test date.
I might be a little late but I had the same question about superscoring and asked Stanford Admissions. They sent me this email response:
“We [Stanford] require all the scores from all the tests. We will focus on your best results from all the tests, including the ones without the writing [or Essay] portion.”
Hope that helps!
@santabarbaraguy I called Brown and got the same answer. As long as you send at least one SAT with the writing, you’re good to go.