For the self report section, do I have to list all the SAT/SAT Subject Test sittings? For example, if I took the SAT 3 times in the past but only want to self report 2 scores, can I put 2 for “ Number of past SAT scores you wish to report?”
I’m aware that for schools that require all scores sent they will see all my bad scores anyways through the official report, but if a school allows for score choice, they will basically see what they see on my self report section for the official report right?
Not trying to game the system, just genuinely confused. Thank you in advance!
As I understand it, you have a choice of which and how many scores to report on the common app. I think you are correct, that you can elect to choose which official scores you have College Board send to your schools. So the self report and the official reports would show the same scores. I could possibly be wrong, but that’s how I think it works.
Oh okay! so basically colleges that accept score choice would look the same as my self report as I would have obviously submitted my best sittings, but colleges that require all scores sent (e.g Stanford) will see my entire testing history as I cannot use score choice?
Will these bad scores raise red flags for these schools since they weren’t on the self report, or do they understand that self report is for reporting your best sections and it is obvious and likely for them to run into bad scores for the official report?
No. You can list all/some/none - it’s optional. Unless the college specifically says that an official score report is not required with the application, the AO will view your scores from the score report.
No. Colleges know that self reporting is optional, and they also know that different colleges have different rules regarding Score Choice/All Scores, etc.
Bottom line, colleges generally see an upward trend on scores. They would be more surprised if your highest scores were your first scores. Don’t overthink this. The college will consider your best scores.
Ohh I see. So basically when I report scores for different colleges, it all depends on the college score policy on if I report the ones I did on the self report section vs reporting all scores?
Correct. Individual school policy supersedes intructions on the Common App.