<p>What will colleges do with my early SAT score? </p>
<p>I am thinking of using my 4 free score reports from CollegeBoard, but should I send my scores when I don't know them yet? </p>
<p>What is the way, if there is, by which I tell colleges which score, among the scores I sent them, I want them to consider? </p>
<p>In score choice, CollegeBoard says that I can choose which SAT scores to send BY TEST DATE. What does that mean? </p>
<p>I took my first SAT this December and I'm in a dilemma (if I choose to send my scores using the 4 free reports, I must choose the score recipients by December 15). Why should I send my scores the very first time, this early? Why don't I just wait and send my scores next time I take the SAT (then, I can choose several scores in one report)? </p>
<p>One more piece of info: I'm fairly satisfied with how I did this December test. </p>
<p>Sorry for the number of questions. Thanks a lot for any help. I really would appreciate anyone trying to decrease the intensity of my dilemma and bewilderment :)</p>
<p>The four free sends apply to a test only if you designate applicable colleges by no later than the second Monday after you take the test. If you wait until you get your scores then you will have to pay a fee per college to send them. The exception to that is if you take a later SAT or SAT subject test because you will again have four free sends for that later test and that send can include sending the prior test – College Board’s default position is to send all test scores it has for you, both SAT and subject tests, at the time you order any SAT or subject tests sent unless you exercise “score choice” by designating tests not to send. That is what CB is talking about when it says you can choose which scores to send by test date. In your case right now, having taken only one test, score choice does not apply.</p>
<p>From your post I am assuming you are not a senior since the Dec test would not be “early” for a senior. You do not have to send scores to any college now since you will not be applying for a long time The advantage of the free sends is simply that they are free (or at least included in the test registration fee). Absent that motive you can wait until you see your scores. If you do send scores now to colleges, each college will keep those scores and start a file on you and if and when you apply to the college your application will be matched to your SAT scores. </p>
<p>When you ultimately send scores to colleges when applying for admission, you won’t get to tell the colleges which tests or scores in a test you want them to use if you send more than one test. The college decides which it will use. However, be aware colleges follow two general rules (and which one depends on the particular college): (a) they will superscore your SAT tests by using the highest section scores (highest math, highest critical reading and highest writing) from the multiple tests you send to determine admission, or (b) they will use that test with the highest composite score (or one with the combined highest math and critical reading score if it is one of the colleges that do not use the writing section of the SAT).</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! You’ve really helped me. I’m a junior. It seems it would be a lot better to wait and see my scores: there is no hurry, only money advantage, and I actually still need to decide the four colleges (which needs loads of time). Thanks again for helping me!</p>