Before we delve into how to calculate your SAT and ACT Superscore. Let us first know about the exams and what superscore is all about.
SAT – Scholastic Assessment Test or more commonly referred to as SAT is a standardized test that is conducted by The College Board. Students who are looking to pursue higher education abroad mostly in countries such as the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia among others are required to appear for this written based exam. SAT is broadly classified into two parts, SAT General Test and SAT Subject Test.
SAT General Test assesses the candidates reading and writing capabilities while the SAT Subject Test assesses the candidates’ knowledge about select subjects for further studies. Candidates who are registering for the exam are required to pay a SAT Fee, choose a date and appear for the exam. They can expect their results to be published online. Subject tests are offered in areas such as Literature, History, Mathematics, Sciences and Foreign Languages.
ACT – On similar lines, American College Testing or more commonly referred to as ACT is a standardized test that is required to be taken by students looking for admission in undergraduate schools based in the US and Canada. Candidates wanting to appear for the exam are required to register for the exam, pay an ACT Fee and appear for the exam. There are many colleges that accept both ACT and SAT colleges and many that accept either. This is solely on the discretion of the admission cell of the university/college the student plans to enroll.
What is Super Scores?
A lot of times, students are unable to achieve their desired scores and are unable to apply to their college/university of choice. Here, students are required to reapply for the same to achieve a higher score. So basically a superscore is calculated, taking into the highest scores achieved by the candidate irrespective of the number of attempts.
Plainly put colleges that superscore are those colleges/universities that take into consideration the students highest score in every section that the student has received on all the dates he has taken the test. The college/university would then calculate an average of the highest section scores together for a new composite score for that particular student. Colleges that superscore SAT/ACT use your best section-level scores, even if they were from different tests. Check out colleges that accept SAT Superscores and colleges that accept ACT Superscores here.
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Calculating your SAT Superscore
| Test Taken |
SAT Math Score/ SAT Reading+Writing Section |
Composite Score |
| 1 |
SAT Math Score: 650 SAT Reading+Writing Section: 680 |
1330 |
| 2 |
SAT Math Score: 690 Reading+Writing Section: 740 |
1430 |
| 3 |
SAT Math Score: 720 Reading+Writing Section: 700 |
1420 |
| Super Score |
SAT Math Score: 720 Reading+Writing Section: 740 |
1460 |
Calculating your ACT Superscore
| Test Taken |
Scores |
Composite Score |
| 1 |
English 30 Math 28 Reading 32 Science 20 |
28 |
| 2 |
English 32 Math 26 Reading 30 Science 30 |
30 |
| 3 |
English 26 Math 25 Reading 35 Science 25 |
28 |
| Superscore |
English 32 Math 28 Reading 35 Science 30 |
31 |
Some universities require a consolidated SAT cutoff while the other universities may resort their admission policies towards SAT sectional cutoffs. Either ways if something is in the applicant's favour, will drive him to qualify for the said university's admissions. But in case the applicant fails to meet either of the said circumstances, chances are that they disqualify for the admission. Thus, if mentioned, applicants should aim for the given SAT cutoff or slightly higher than the given cutoff.
Yes, since a lot of US universities have become test optional it may be difficult to find their cutoffs. But those who intend on submitting SAT scores despite the test optionality choice, can look up for previous year's SAT cutoffs on the official websites if available. This way the applicant will have an idea of what score is required and plan a strategy to aim for the said cutoff. The previous year's SAT cutoff will not however be the ideal support but it will just give the applicant an idea of what and how to aim for in SAT.
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Located across 44+ cities, there are around 73 designated SAT exam centres in India. Indian students registering for SAT exam can choose for any one of these test centres out of 65 based on their city and area of accommodation. The SAT centres in India are located at all possible cities and in possible areas of these cities too. Each SAT centre has a unique centre code which differentiates one test centre from the other. Students must exercise caution while choosing a SAT exam centre.