{"id":2651,"date":"2025-04-28T23:56:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T07:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/?p=2651"},"modified":"2026-05-13T03:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:46:14","slug":"submit-test-scores-score-choice-superscore-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/submit-test-scores-score-choice-superscore-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Submitting Standardized Test Scores: A Deep Dive into Score Choice &amp; Superscoring Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Navigating standardized test scores for college applications can feel complicated, especially with many schools going test-optional. If you <em>do<\/em> decide to take the SAT or ACT and want to submit your scores, you need to understand terms like &#8220;superscoring&#8221; and &#8220;Score Choice.&#8221; Knowing the different <strong>college test score policies<\/strong> helps you decide when and how to <strong>submit test scores<\/strong> strategically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Changing Landscape: Test Optional and Test Blind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First, remember that many colleges are now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Test-Optional:<\/strong> You can choose whether or not to submit your SAT\/ACT scores. Your application will be reviewed fairly either way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test-Blind\/Test-Free:<\/strong> These colleges will <em>not<\/em> consider test scores at all, even if you send them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Always check the specific policy for each college on your list! If a school is test-blind, there&#8217;s no decision to make \u2013 don&#8217;t send scores. If it&#8217;s test-optional, the strategies below become relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0105_4_a-clean-banner-image-with-a-hispanic-fem_jdLM_g3ISriE0eLOlSZfww_3kUStciOSxejIhUpL2MaqQ.png\" alt=\"Submitting Standardized Test Scores\" class=\"wp-image-3043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0105_4_a-clean-banner-image-with-a-hispanic-fem_jdLM_g3ISriE0eLOlSZfww_3kUStciOSxejIhUpL2MaqQ.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0105_4_a-clean-banner-image-with-a-hispanic-fem_jdLM_g3ISriE0eLOlSZfww_3kUStciOSxejIhUpL2MaqQ-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0105_4_a-clean-banner-image-with-a-hispanic-fem_jdLM_g3ISriE0eLOlSZfww_3kUStciOSxejIhUpL2MaqQ-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0105_4_a-clean-banner-image-with-a-hispanic-fem_jdLM_g3ISriE0eLOlSZfww_3kUStciOSxejIhUpL2MaqQ-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Different College Test Score Policies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If a college <em>does<\/em> accept scores (either required or optional), they usually handle multiple test dates in one of these ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Highest Single Test Date:<\/strong> They consider your single best overall score from one specific test administration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Superscoring:<\/strong> They take your highest section scores from <em>across<\/em> different test dates and combine them to create a new, higher composite score.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Highest Section Scores:<\/strong> Similar to superscoring, they consider your best section scores but might not calculate a new composite score.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Require All Scores:<\/strong> Some (fewer now) colleges require you to send scores from <em>all<\/em> your SAT or ACT attempts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing a college&#8217;s policy is crucial for your strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Superscoring? (Your Best Section Scores)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Superscoring is generally good news for students!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How it works (SAT):<\/strong> A college takes your best Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score and your best Math score from all your SAT test dates and combines them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How it works (ACT):<\/strong> A college takes your best English, Math, Reading, and Science section scores from all your ACT test dates and averages them for a new (often higher) composite <strong>superscore ACT<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many colleges superscore, allowing you to showcase your peak performance in each area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Score Choice? (Choosing Which Tests to Send)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Score Choice is a feature offered by the College Board (SAT) and ACT that lets <em>you<\/em> decide which test date results to send to colleges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>SAT:<\/strong> With <strong>Score Choice SAT<\/strong>, you can pick specific test dates to send. If a college superscores or only considers your highest single date, Score Choice allows you to send only the dates with your best scores.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ACT:<\/strong> ACT also allows you to choose which test dates to send.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important Note:<\/strong> If a college <em>requires<\/em> you to submit all scores, you should not use Score Choice to withhold scores from them. Always follow the college&#8217;s stated policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strategic Decisions: When Should You Submit Test Scores?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the big question for test-optional schools. Consider submitting scores if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your scores are at or above the average range for admitted students at that specific college (check their admissions website or Common Data Set).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your scores strengthen your application, perhaps balancing out a slightly lower GPA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your scores are required for specific scholarships or programs (even at test-optional schools).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider <em>not<\/em> submitting scores if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your scores are significantly below the college&#8217;s average range.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You feel other parts of your application (GPA, rigor, essays, activities) are much stronger and better represent your abilities. This is a common <strong>test optional strategy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no single right answer; it depends on your scores, the college&#8217;s profile, and the rest of your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83c\udfaf Want to boost your application\u2019s impact\u2014test scores or not? Build a standout student profile at <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\">Cirkled In<\/a> and show colleges what makes you unique.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Send Your Scores<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You typically need to send official score reports directly from the testing agency (College Board for SAT, ACT for ACT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Allow plenty of time before deadlines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is usually a fee for each report sent (though fee waivers are available for eligible students).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the colleges carefully.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use Score Choice strategically based on college policies (unless they require all scores).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep track of <strong>sending SAT scores<\/strong> and ACT scores through your online accounts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some colleges may accept self-reported scores initially, requiring official reports only upon enrollment \u2013 check their policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thought: Know the Policies, Make Informed Choices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Deciding whether and how to <strong>submit test scores<\/strong> requires understanding each college&#8217;s specific policies on test-optional, superscoring, and score reporting. Research each school on your list. Understand <strong>Score Choice SAT<\/strong> and <strong>superscore ACT<\/strong> options. Make informed, strategic decisions that present your application in the best possible light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Need more tips on&nbsp;<strong>college applications<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>scholarships<\/strong>, or just how to survive this whole process?&nbsp;<strong>Cirkled In<\/strong>&nbsp;has your back\u2014check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/\">Cirkled In resources<\/a>&nbsp;to help you through every step of your college journey!<br>Check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\"><strong>Cirkled In<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/a>and start owning your future today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Navigating standardized test scores for college applications can feel complicated, especially with many schools going test-optional. If you do decide to take the SAT or ACT and want to submit your scores, you need to understand terms like &#8220;superscoring&#8221; and &#8220;Score Choice.&#8221; Knowing the different college test score policies helps [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":3043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[2339,2340,2341,2342,2343,2344,2345,2346,2347,2348],"class_list":["post-2651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college-applications-and-admissions","tag-score-choice-vs-superscore-sat-act","tag-what-is-superscoring","tag-how-score-choice-works","tag-sat-act-test-score-strategy-for-college","tag-superscore-college-list","tag-should-i-send-all-sat-scores","tag-test-optional-vs-test-blind-colleges","tag-best-test-score-strategy-for-admissions","tag-how-to-send-sat-act-scores","tag-college-test-score-policies-explained"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2651"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4254,"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651\/revisions\/4254"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}