Should I submit both ACT Scores for Superscoring?

Applying to College
1

I will be applying to top colleges for CS and am wondering whether to submit both of my ACT scores to colleges that superscore.

Test 1: English 36, Math 35, Reading 35, Science 35 (Composite 35)
Test 2: English 35, Math 36, Reading 28, Science 36 (Composite 34)
Superscored: English 36, Math 36, Reading 35, Science 36 (Composite 36)

I will obviously be submitting only test 1 to those that do not superscore.

I know it won’t make a huge difference, but practically I need to decide whether the 28 the second time will hurt me or not.

2

You’d be better off submitting only scores from Test 1. That 28 will likely hurt you more than any minor benefit from superscoring, even if the college superscores ACT (not all do).

3

That is assuming that the college uses a subjective admissions reading. Assuming that the OP will be applying to some safety and likely colleges (not just reaches), the OP should check whether any of these superscore but do not use subjective admissions reading, in which case sending both scores can only help.

Even when a college does use subjective admissions reading, there is no way to tell whether admissions readers will downgrade an applicant for a lower section score more than the super score will upgrade the applicant.

4

^OP will be applying to

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5

First check to see if the schools allow you to self-report your scores…I expect the majority of schools will allow self-reporting this year, many are already doing it.

For those that allow self-reporting, you will enter your highest section scores and highest composite score on the common app. Schools that superscore will calculate a superscored composite, schools that don’t will still see your highest section scores…even though they don’t calculate a superscored composite they do look at section scores. No schools will see your 28 science in the self-reporting scenario.

For the schools that superscore and require official test scores sent from ACT, I would send both test results, I don’t think that 28 will hurt you.

For schools that don’t superscore and require official test scores, just send the first one.

6

But the standard advice is to have safety and likely applications, rather than an all-reach list that risks being shut out.