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SAT Superscoring: What It Is, How It Works, and Where It’s Accepted
2025-05-12•26 minute read
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What Is SAT Superscoring?
How To Calculate Your SAT Superscore
Why Superscore Your SAT?
Which Colleges Accept Superscores?
SAT Score-Reporting Options
Making the Most of Superscoring
Want to get the highest possible SAT score? Superscoring might be the key. This post breaks down everything you need to know about SAT superscoring — what it is, how to calculate it, and why it gives students an advantage. You’ll also find out which schools accept superscores, how it compares to other SAT score-reporting options, and how to get the most out of it for your own SAT strategy.
Learning is an evolving process. Tests are tools educators use to see what learning objectives you understand and how well — and which ones you need to study more and review.
The College Board, which administers the SAT, offers a score reporting option called Superscore to allow for a similar approach — letting students retake the SAT if they wish to, without any penalty, to try and boost their score, or for a "do over" if they had a bad test day.
Although not accepted for admissions by all universities and colleges, SAT superscoring allows you to apply your best Math and Reading scores, even if you earned them on different test attempts.
Both the College Board, for the SAT test, and ACT, for the ACT test, allow superscoring, and many top universities accept superscores, for both the SAT and ACT.
In this post, we’ll explain
- what superscoring is
- how it works
- why it benefits students
- how to calculate your superscore
- which schools accept superscoring (and which don’t)
- how to get the most out of this SAT score-reporting option in order to boost your college applications
1. What Is SAT Superscoring?
For students who take the SAT two times or more, superscoring is a score-reporting policy that allows you to use only your best score for each SAT test section section when you apply to college — your best score on Math and best score on Reading/Writing, no matter how many times you take the SAT.
SAT Scoring Basics
Remember that each time you take the SAT you earn two subscores: one on the Math section and another on the Reading section — the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERBW) section. In each section you can earn up to a maximum score of 800 points .
Your SAT score report will show the two subscores you earned on the respective test day and a composite score (1600 points maximum) which is the sum of the two subscores.
It’s especially important for students to understand the benefits of superscoring in the following scenario: you've taken and retaken the SAT multiple times but you earned your highest Math score and highest Reading score on alternate attempts.
In this scenario, superscoring could significantly boost your score results by allowing you to get credit for both your highest Math score and your highest Reading score, across your various testing sessions.
This also means there’s no downside risk to scoring lower on either section in subsequent attempts.
The other good news is that many leading universities and colleges accept superscores for the SAT (and the ACT as well of course). However — as we’ll explain below — some schools don't accept superscoring, and policies around SAT score reporting vary, depending on each individual college or university.
How Superscoring Works — Keeping It Simple
Let’s say you took the SAT twice, at the beginning of your junior year, and then again at the end of your junior year. On your second attempt, you raised your Math score by 28 points, but your Reading score dropped 10 points. In this case, your superscore would be a composite test score (overall test score) that combines your higher Reading score (from your first SAT attempt) and your higher Math score (from your second attempt).
In essence, it’s really as simple as that!
2. How To Calculate Your SAT Superscore
If you do take the SAT two or three times, you’ll want to know if superscoring will actually give any advantage, and if so, how to calculate your superscore based on all of your current test reports.
When does superscoring boost your score?
If your highest section score for Math and for English are on different test attempts, then superscoring should boost your score — but how much so depends on your individual scores.
How do you determine your superscore?
To determine your own superscore, take the highest Math section score and the highest Reading (EBRW) section score you’ve earned (across your multiple score reports). These will be the scores used for each skill area (Math and Reading) when you apply to colleges that accept superscoring.
Second, add these two section scores together to determine your superscored composite score:
Here’s a table to illustrate how this looks:
Calculating Your SAT Superscore (Illustration)
| Section Score | Math Score | (EBRW) Score | Composite Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT #1 | 600 | 710 | 1310 |
| SAT #2 | 710* | 690 | 1400 |
| SAT #3 | 690 | 750* | 1440 |
| Superscore | 710 | 750 | 1460 |
* = highest section score across all 3 attempts (used to calculate your SAT superscore)
In this example you can see that the top composite score (on the 3rd attempt) = 1440. However, when a superscore is calculated, the composite score = 1460 (an increase of 20 points).
3. Why Superscore Your SAT?
For any student who retakes the SAT, superscoring makes sense — it means only your best section scores will be used when you apply to college (at least at the institutions that accept superscoring). And, it means no penalties for you if you score poorly initially — because with superscoring you get to use your best subscores, regardless of which testing day, or how many times you tested.
With superscoring, you should feel more comfortable taking the SAT multiple times, in an effort to improve your scores and get more familiar and comfortable with the test experience — so your scores really reflect your best abilities.
Does Superscoring “Inflate” SAT Test Scores?
Superscoring, in principle, should just help ensure you get credit for what you really do know and can show on the SAT. In fact, some research has shown that superscores more accurately represent student abilities overall, compared to test scores based on any single test result.
Is superscoring worth it for schools with test-optional admissions?
Even if you're applying to a university or college that's test optional for admissions, a good SAT score can help you stand out. So even for test-optional schools, it's usually a good idea to take advantage of superscoring — if the school accepts superscoring — taking the SAT two or three times, and using time between tests for additional review and practice.
4. Which Colleges Accept Superscores?
Many colleges and universities, including some of the highest ranking ones, will superscore the SAT, if students select that option when reporting their scores.
However, even among these schools, specific test-reporting requirements may differ, and there are other schools that do not allow SAT superscoring, so it's important to know the policies at the schools you plan to apply to.
💡 Pro Tip: Understand SAT Score Use & Reporting Policies
Even among schools that do have a policy allowing you to superscore your SAT, test-score policies may still vary. Here’s what the College Board says:
Many colleges that follow a superscore policy encourage students to submit all test scores, and some colleges require that all scores be sent. This allows them to see and consider the highest section scores consistently and fairly across all applicants. …, It’s always a good idea to review the SAT score-use policy for each college on your list. You can usually find this policy on the admissions website in an "application requirements" section.
Can you superscore your SAT at Ivy League schools?
Six of the eight Ivies will superscore the SAT, but two don’t — Harvard and Princeton are the two Ivies that will NOT superscore your SAT test results.
What about other top-20 US universities?
Policies vary among the other top schools too, but many of these leading institutions do allow superscoring, as shown in the tables below, one table for top non-Ivy universities and the second table showing top liberal arts colleges:
Ivy League Schools
| School | Accepts SAT Superscoring? |
|---|---|
| Harvard | NO |
| Princeton | NO |
| Yale | YES |
| Columbia | YES |
| UPenn | YES |
| Brown | YES |
| Cornell | YES |
| Dartmouth | YES |
Always check school websites for the most up-to-date policy information.
Leading Non-Ivies
| School | Accepts SAT Superscoring? |
|---|---|
| Stanford | YES |
| MIT | YES |
| Duke | YES |
| Georgetown | NO |
| University of Chicago | YES |
| Northwestern | YES |
| Johns Hopkins | YES |
| University of California, Berkeley | NO |
| University of California, Los Angeles | NO |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | YES |
| Carnegie Mellon | NO |
| Vanderbilt | YES |
| University of Southern California (USC) | YES |
| NYU | YES |
| Rice | YES |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | YES |
Always check school websites for the most up-to-date policy information.
Leading Liberal Arts Colleges
| School | Accepts ACT Superscoring? |
|---|---|
| Amherst | YES |
| Bowdoin | YES |
| Barnard | YES |
| Pomona College | YES |
| Claremont McKenna | YES |
| Harvey Mudd | YES |
| Williams College | YES |
Always check school websites for the most up-to-date policy information.
5. Other Score-Reporting & Score-Use Practices
As an alternative to Superscoring, the College Board offers another score-reporting option, Score Choice, which allows you to select which scores or sets of scores, by test date, you want to send to a college.
Other Score-Use Policies for Admissions
Single Highest Test Result
Schools that don't allow for superscoring will typically encourage students to submit their single highest test score report — and it doesn't have to be your most recent score.
All Scores
Some schools simply require students to submit scores from every SAT test date they participated in. The good news is that these schools will easily see your highest section scores as well as improvements or progress you made over time.
Test-Optional
Some colleges have adopted test-optional admissions policies. Among these schools, you'll have to check with each one to see their score-reporting and score-use policies for students who do opt to submit scores. Keep in mind that many schools that adopted test-optional policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic did so only provisionally — with some having already reverted to requiring SAT/ACT test results again, and others with test-reporting policies in flux. So always monitor school websites for the most up-to-date admissions and testing policies.
💡FAQ — Superscoring: Which Scores Do Colleges See?
If you opt to use the SAT Superscore reporting option through the College Board, here's what happens:
The College Board will send full score reports from all test dates used to create the superscore.
That means colleges will see your full scores (all section scores) from each of the test dates included in your superscore — not just the highest two section scores.
Important Note:
Some colleges require you to send all scores from all test dates, regardless of superscore.
Others allow you to use Score Choice, which lets you pick which full test dates to send.
Always check the score reporting policy of each college before sending!
6. How Many Times Can You Take the SAT?
The College Board allows you to take the SAT as many times as you want.
But, how many times should you take it?...
The College Board recommends students take the SAT at least twice — in the spring of their junior year and fall of their senior year.
What do Crimson strategists recommend?...
At Crimson, we typically recommend students take the SAT two-to-four times — in conjunction with a plan to improve their scores along the way.
We may also recommend, for many students, starting the process earlier, such as taking a first SAT during the spring of 10th grade, to allow ample time for review, practice, and retakes in 11th grade.
What’s the Optimum Number of Times To Retake the SAT?
With superscoring you’re likely to benefit from retaking the exam. For most students' circumstances, taking the SAT two-to-four times will be optimal.
Keep these two guiding principles in mind:
-
It only makes sense to retake the test if you have reason to believe you’ll raise your score on one or both sections somewhat significantly.
-
Any effort you put into elevating your SAT scores need to be weighed against other opportunity costs — other commitments that are relevant to your educational growth and building a competitive applicant profile.
7. How To Make the Most of SAT Superscoring
To make the most of SAT superscoring, it’s important to remember that a well executed review and practice strategy is more important than stacking up retakes, one after another.
Here are a few tips that will help you make the most of superscoring by preparing effectively between each SAT attempt:
- Take a diagnostic approach: Assess challenges after each SAT attempt to inform subsequent test prep.
- Address all challenge areas: These could include subject-matter challenges as well as specific question formats, or pacing challenges...
- Be strategic and realistic: Focus first on areas that will give you the most confidence and biggest score boosts.
- Set yourself up for a positive outcome: Bolster your test preparation with online resources, such as Khan Academy for example, SAT test-prep guides and workbooks, and even Crimson Education SAT/ACT Tutoring services.
Pro Tip: Scheduling Multiple SAT Tests
If you want to give yourself time for two or more SAT attempts before it’s time to apply to college, here are a few tips:
- Know the deadline for your earliest college applications (taking into account any plans you may have to apply early action or early decision as well), and plan backwards to determine when you should schedule your test attempts
- Check the available SAT test dates and locations to know your scheduling options
- Schedule your test dates with time for additional review and practice between each attempt
- Register early for each scheduled test, as sessions often fill up early, limiting your options
8. Superscoring: Misconceptions vs. Facts
| Myths & Misconceptions | Facts |
|---|---|
| All colleges and universities superscore | Many do superscore, but some don’t. For example, Harvard and Princeton don’t superscore, even though the other Ivies do |
| With superscoring, taking the SAT as many times as you can is a good strategy | While superscoring minimizes downside risks for retakes, an effective strategy involves strategic review and practice between each retake |
| If you’ve taken the SAT two times or more, Superscoring will raise your score | Superscoring won’t always improve your reported scores. For example, if your highest Math score and highest Reading score were earned on the same test attempt, then you can use the SAT Score Choice option to report this result since superscoring won't give any additional points |
9. Real-World Case Studies
Anaya’s Case: Starting Early for Testing Insights
Anaya is a sophomore in high school. She knows she’s not ready to perform well on the SAT and is planning to use part of her summer break to do SAT test prep with a test-prep manual and a tutor. In the meantime, she’s unsure whether it’s worth taking the SAT before summer — knowing her initial score will likely be low — or if it’s better to just wait until fall of junior year.
What would you do in Anaya’s situation?
After weighing the pros and cons with her Crimson strategist, Anaya decides to take the SAT in late spring of her sophomore year — not to aim for a high score, but for diagnostic insights — to get timely, accurate feedback on her biggest SAT challenges, just before summer break begins. This feedback — on both subject matter strengths and weaknesses and the overall test-taking experience — will help Anaya and her tutor make a more efficient and effective test-prep plan while giving Anaya a taste of what the actual test experience is like so she can be more prepared and confident in the fall.
Donovan’s Case: Strategic Focus
Donovan took the SAT in fall of junior year, expecting a high Reading score and a lower Math score. His plan was to use this first test as a benchmark, especially to guide tutoring in Math ahead of a spring retake. While his Math score came in low as he anticipated, he was surprised to score 720 in Reading — below his expected 760+.
Now he faced a question: Should he also prep for Reading as well — perhaps curtailing some of his junior-year extracurriculars — or remain focused only on improving Math?
What would you do in Donovan’s case?
After consulting with his Crimson strategist, a few key points guided Donovan’s next steps. First, his top-choice colleges superscore the SAT, meaning he could safely retain his 720 Reading score even if it dipped on the retake. Second, his strong Reading skills might naturally lead to a higher score without extra prep. Most importantly, a 720 is already a strong score — especially for someone applying to major in economics, where Math carries more weight. With that in mind, Donovan chose to focus all of his prep on boosting his Math score and kept his extracurricular commitments intact.
Final Thoughts
Retaking the SAT offers many students a straightforward path to improving SAT scores — with opportunities to get more familiar with the testing experience and question formats and to use the time between each attempt for targeted study, review, and practice.
Superscoring allows you to highlight your best performance across test dates — removing any downside risks from the retake process and giving you flexibility and a real edge in admissions. But strategy matters. Before signing up for multiple retakes, it’s important to weigh the potential gains, time commitment, and each college’s score reporting policy.
As Donovan’s case shows, knowing that your top school choices superscore can help you focus your prep time where it counts most. In Anaya’s case, a low-stakes early test attempt was used strategically, to get testing feedback to guide future prep.
If you're ready to get guidance and the best resources for your SAT test prep and other crucial steps in your college admissions journey, Crimson's personalized, team approach helps top students stand out, even at Ivy League colleges and other highly selective programs, every year. Before you take your next step, schedule a free feedback session with a Crimson advisor to learn more!
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About the Author
Keith Nickolaus
Keith Nickolaus is a former educator with a passion for languages, literature, and lifelong learning. After obtaining a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz and exploring university life in Paris, Keith earned his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and then worked for 16 years in K12 education before setting up shop as a freelance writer.
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