How Superscoring Works
"Superscoring" means a college will take your highest section scores from different test dates to create a new, higher composite score.
- Example:
- Test 1 (March): 700 Math, 600 RW = 1300 Total
- Test 2 (May): 650 Math, 720 RW = 1370 Total
- Superscore: 700 (Test 1 Math) + 720 (Test 2 RW) = 1420 Total
Does the Digital SAT Change Anything?
No. The College Board has confirmed that scores from the Digital SAT are valid for superscoring.
In fact, you can even superscore a Paper SAT score with a Digital SAT score if a college accepts scores from that far back (though most students now only have Digital scores).
How to Send Your Superscore
- Go to the College Board website and navigate to "Send Scores."
- Select the colleges you want to apply to.
- Choose "Score Choice" to select which test dates to send.
- Send all dates that contain a highest section score. The college's admissions system will automatically calculate the superscore for you.
Which Colleges Superscore?
The vast majority of US colleges superscore the SAT, including:
- Ivy League: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell.
- Top Private Universities: Stanford, MIT, Duke, UChicago, Johns Hopkins.
- Public Universities: UVA, UNC Chapel Hill, Georgia Tech, and many others.
Always assume a college superscores unless their website explicitly says they do not.
Superscoring Strategy
Knowing that superscoring exists changes how you should prep.
- Don't stress about a "perfect" single day. If you bomb the math section but get a great English score, that English score is "banked."
- Focus on one section at a time. For your second attempt, you might spend 100% of your study time on Math, knowing your English score is already secured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all colleges superscore the SAT?
Most colleges do superscore, but not all. Most Ivy League, public universities, and top private colleges accept superscores. However, some schools (like Georgetown) require you to send 'All Scores' from every test sitting.
Is the Digital SAT treated differently for superscoring?
No. Colleges treat a Digital SAT section score exactly the same as a Paper SAT section score. You can even combine a Paper SAT math score with a Digital SAT reading score if the college accepts scores from that time period.
How do I send my superscore to colleges?
You don't send a 'superscore' directly. Instead, you use Score Choice on the College Board website to send the specific test dates that contain your highest section scores. The college's admissions system will then automatically combine them to create your superscore.