Superscoring entails taking your highest score for each section of the test across all your test sittings and using the highest section scores to calculate your final score (SAT) or composite score (ACT).

Understanding the significance of superscoring is best conveyed through a simple example:

Johnny takes the SAT for the first time in spring of his junior year, scoring a 610 on the critical reading section and a 550 on the math section for a total score of 1160. He takes the test again in the fall of his senior year, scoring a 570 in critical reading and a 590 in math for an identical total score of 1160. Johnny scored no better the 2nd time around which would qualify as a pretty big disappointment, right?

Wrong. The vast majority of colleges and universities in the United States will take an applicant’s superscore—that is, their best combined critical reading and math score. This means Johnny now has a 610 reading + 590 math for a total of 1200 making him a more competitive candidate for admission/merit aid at his target schools.

Not all colleges superscore. Plus, those that do may have additional requirements for score submission.  The most common requirement is that students still submit all of their score reports in order to be eligible for superscoring–no matter how many times they have taken the test.

Thus, it’s vital to check a college’s application requirements before submitting scores. These are almost always specified in detail on the school’s website.

ACT's Free Superscore Calculator makes it easy to calculate your Superscore.

College Board’s Score Choice tool allows you to send only your highest scores to colleges and universities.

In the table listed here, you will find the Superscore and Score Choice Policies of many popular colleges.

And be sure to read this about taking the SAT more than twice for advice on strategizing your test-taking and score submission.