I’ve taken the new SAT twice:
On the first test, I had a high reading score, but a low writing score. The math test score was also sub-par and not reflective of my ability.
On the second test, my reading score was slightly lower than that of the first test, but my writing and math sections were much better and much more reflective of my ability.
Overall, the second test’s total score is higher than my first.
The problem now is whether I should send my first score to some of the colleges I’m applying to.
This is because I want them to see the higher reading score that I got on my first test, but since the new SAT has grouped the reading and writing score into an “Evidence-Based Reading & Writing” score, I don’t know whether schools will actually get to see the higher reading score that I got on that first test, should I choose to send it.
Secondly, when schools “superscore” or “consider the highest score from each section” (I understand there’s a difference), do they “superscore” or “consider” the writing and reading section separately, or do they “superscore”/“consider” the writing and reading score together? If they do the former, I’d get a much higher overall superscore/consideration. So for a hypothetical score scenario:
First test: Reading: 37, Writing: 32, Total = 690. Math = 710. Total = 1400
Second test: Reading 35, Writing 35, Total = 700. Math = 780. Total = 1480
Would the superscore be [Reading: 37, Writing 35, Total=720. Math = 780. Total = 1500] or would it just be the equal to the second test, since the second test has a higher combined reading and writing?
Please help in advising whether I should send the first test (highest reading but lower score on other sections). This is really bothering me and my deadlines are also approaching. I also tried calling one of the school I’m applying to but they don’t seem to fully understand my question, and I didn’t want to spend too long on the phone.
You can often times find the policy for how the scores are considered with an Internet search for your specific schools. If the school does not superscore, I would send the second score because the difference of 80 in the composite is far more important than the difference of 10 in the reading.
Albeit, you may have to report all of your scores if the college has such a policy. You really should provide us with the name of the college(s).
You see, kimclan1, the problem here is that there’s a difference between ‘superscore’ and ‘considering the highest scores’. My concern is that I don’t know whether the schools that ‘consider’ will take into account that single high reading score or not, and if they do, whether it will be blurred by the fact that the overall score is weak. As far as doing research is concerned, I’ve done a ton of it, heck I even phoned them up (as explained in the post). As for schools that require all scores, it’s a no-brainer that I’ll need to send all the scores. What I do know, for the time being, is that I’ll definitely send the second score; it’s just whether I should send the first one, for the reasons above.
My guess is : The colleges that ask for section scores (out of 40) will most likely super score the section scores to match against old 2400 style scores. The others would super score just the main score (out of 800).
To my knowledge, the colleges either take single sitting score or super score. I have never heard of any college averaging the scores. So, I don’t see any harm in sending both; if any, there is a slight advantage.