What is a superscore and when and why would you use it?
@giantoctopus if you take the SAT or ACT more than once, your superscore is defined as the maximum of your section scores (e.g. reading, math), added together.
Some universities consider superscores when making admissions decisions. Some may require all test scores to be sent, others may not.
Colleges will tell you that they will ‘superscore’ your test results, meaning that they will use your highest section scores in their evaluation.
If you took the SAT twice and received scores of M 680/R&W 750 the first time, then M 740/R&W 730 the second time, the college will use M 740/R&W 750, giving you credit for your best section scores.
Also, I’ve noticed that colleges tend to superscore SAT more than they do for ACT. Just FWI.
Also please note that superscoring across the “old” and “new” SATs isn’t possible due to the different grading scales; so if the college superscores, it would have to be done with the SATs taken prior to March 2016, or with the tests taken on or after March 2016.
A few schools do superscore the ACT, but not nearly as many as do with the SAT.