What’s an SAT Superscore?
Understand what an SAT superscore is, how it works, how it differs from Score Choice, and how knowing your college’s policy can strengthen your applications.
Boosting your college application often means mastering SAT superscore, Score Choice, and test strategy in the first 100 words. Many colleges now use superscoring to combine your best section scores, even when they come from different test dates. Knowing whether your target colleges superscore—and how—is a key part of SAT planning and maximizing your score impact.
Understanding SAT Superscore
An SAT superscore is calculated by combining your highest Math score and your highest Reading and Writing score from multiple test sittings. For example, if your first test had a stronger Math section and your second test improved your Reading and Writing, schools that superscore will assemble a composite using those best section scores for a stronger total .
How Superscoring Differs from Score Choice
Superscoring is a policy that colleges may adopt: they automatically combine your best section scores across submitted test dates. Score Choice, by contrast, is a College Board tool that allows you to select which full score reports (by test date) you send to each college . In Superscoring, section-level scores are combined; in Score Choice, you control which dates are visible—still with no section-level filtering.
Schools’ SAT Score-Use Policies
Colleges use a variety of SAT score policies—knowing your schools’ approach helps you plan effectively:
- Superscore: Many colleges combine best section totals across dates.
- Single Highest Test Date: Some schools accept the highest overall score from one test date.
- All Scores Required: Other schools ask for all your scores and may superscore themselves.
- Test-Optional: Some institutions accept scores optionally and may or may not superscore depending on whether you submit them
Strategic Benefits of Superscoring
Taking the SAT more than once allows students to improve in areas while preserving strengths in others. Superscoring makes it possible to showcase your best performance across separate sections—helping you present the strongest possible overall score. It lets you tailor subsequent prep to targeted sections, reduce the stress of a single test sitting, and leverage score growth most effectively.
How to Use Superscore Strategy Effectively
- Research school policies early—know whether your colleges superscore, accept Score Choice, or require all scores.
- Plan your test schedule—take the SAT at least twice, ideally focusing different prep cycles on different sections.
- Submit strategically—use Score Choice to manage what tests are visible, especially if some schools don’t superscore.
- Maximize ROI—combine your strongest section scores to achieve a composite SAT superscore that stands out.
Summary Table
| Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
| SAT Superscore | Combines highest Math and Reading/Writing scores from multiple test dates |
| Score Choice | Allows students to select which full test dates to send to each college |
| Policy Variations | Includes superscore, single-date, all-scores-required, and test-optional models |
| Best Strategy | Know your schools’ policies, prep smart, and aim to improve your superscore |
Final Thoughts
Understanding what an SAT superscore is and how it differs from other score policies like Score Choice is a crucial part of strategic test planning. Superscoring can elevate your application by consolidating your best section scores, but success depends on knowing each college’s approach and aligning your testing plan accordingly.