What Is a Superscore? How SAT and ACT Superscoring Works
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A superscore combines your best section scores from different test dates into one new total. For the SAT, a college takes your highest Reading and Writing score and your highest Math score. For the ACT, ACT itself calculates a superscore from your best section scores once you have tested more than once. Not every college superscores, so check each school’s policy.
A superscore example
| Reading and Writing | Math | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| March SAT | 680 | 640 | 1320 |
| June SAT | 650 | 700 | 1350 |
| Superscore | 680 | 700 | 1380 |
How superscoring works on each test
- SAT: the college picks your highest section scores from the score reports you send. You can use Score Choice to send only some test dates, unless the college asks for all scores.
- ACT: ACT reports a superscore built from your best English, Math and Reading scores across dates. Your composite is then the average of those best scores.
- Policies vary: some colleges superscore, some consider your single highest test date, and a few ask for every score you have.
How to use superscoring in your test plan
Superscoring rewards focused retakes. If your first test shows a strong Math score but weaker Reading and Writing, your next round of preparation can concentrate on Reading and Writing, because the Math score is already banked at colleges that superscore.
Plan for two or three attempts with time to study in between. Testing again without new preparation rarely moves a score much.