Navigating the ACT Superscore: A Roadmap to Colleges That Count

Navigating the ACT Superscore A Roadmap to Colleges That Count

If you're knee-deep in the college application process or just dipping your toes into the vast ocean of standardized testing, you've likely encountered the ACT exam. Today, we're going to embark the students on a journey to demystify the concept of superscoring, explore some colleges that swear by it, and sprinkle in a few tips for navigating this terrain like a seasoned explorer.

What is the ACT Exam?

The ACT, or American College Testing, is a standardized test designed to assess high school students' readiness for college. It consists of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing (essay) section. The scores from each section are averaged to provide a composite score, which ranges from 1 to 36. The ACT Exam fees in India is $42.50 (without writing section) and $58.50 (with writing section). 

The Scoop on ACT Scoring and Superscoring

So, how does scoring work on this academic adventure? Each section of the ACT is scored individually, and the average of these scores gives the students a composite score. However, here's where the plot thickens: some colleges engage in superscoring. So, what is superscore?

Superscore is like the superhero version of score reporting. Instead of looking at your composite score, superscoring colleges cherry-pick your highest scores from each section across multiple test dates, creating a composite score that might be higher than any individual test day.

Colleges That Sing the Superscore Symphony

Now let's talk about the colleges that have jumped on the superscoring bandwagon. Spoiler alert: there are quite a few! Some of the notable ACT Superscoring colleges include big names like MIT, North Carolina State University, Stanford, and many more. If a college policy states, "Contact the college for information," this means the policy isn't available on the college’s website (though multiple sources have confirmed that this college does superscore the ACT). If you're interested in applying to this type of school, contact it directly.  

School

Official ACT Superscoring Policy

Website

Albion College

Contact the school for information

Albion Admissions

Amherst College

For candidates who have taken the SAT and/or ACT on multiple occasions, the college will consider the best score achieved in each section. When sending official score reports, applicants have the freedom to exercise the SAT Score Choice option and the ACT option.

Amherst Admissions

Auburn University at Montgomery:

The students have to submit all of their scores for every SAT or ACT attempt to AUM, and the college will select the highest score from each section to calculate their SuperScore average.

AUM Admissions

Austin College

Austin College welcomes both ACT and SAT scores, and as part of the college policy, they engage in "super scoring." This means that they consider the highest subscores from various test dates and amalgamate them to create a comprehensive "super score." The focus is on recognizing a student's peak potential in each sub-section, valuing not only their overall score from a single test session but also acknowledging their best achievements across multiple attempts.

Austin College Admissions

Babson College

For students who have taken the SAT or ACT multiple times, Babson College employs a superscoring policy, where the college considers the best individual section scores when reviewing their applications.

Babson Admissions

Baylor University

Contact the school for information

Baylor Admissions

Bates

The submission of standardized tests is optional for all students applying to Bates. Bates College does "superscore" both the SAT and ACT.

Bates Admissions

Beloit College

Beloit College follows a test-optional policy for both admission and the evaluation of merit scholarships. If the college believes that students' test scores accurately showcase their abilities and wishes for us to take them into account, please feel free to submit them. The college will assess the highest subscores from various test dates.

Beloit Admissions

Bowdoin

While the submission of test scores is optional if the student chooses to submit them, Bowdoin College engages in superscoring for the ACT. The admissions committee will evaluate the highest submitted Composite score as well as subsection scores. Additionally, they will recalculate a new Composite score by considering the subsection scores earned on different test dates.

Bowdoin Admissions

Brandeis

Brandeis University has implemented a test-optional policy, eliminating the requirement for domestic applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission consideration. However, if the student chooses to submit scores voluntarily, the admissions committee will superscore their results. This means they will consider the highest scores from different test dates when evaluating the application.

Brandeis Admissions

Bryn Mawr College

While SAT and ACT scores are optional for U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying to Bryn Mawr, the college accepts both standardized test scores. Bryn Mawr places emphasis on the best achievements, and therefore, the admissions process considers the highest section scores submitted, regardless of the test date.

Bryn Mawr Admissions

Butler

At Butler University, the submission of test scores is optional. If the student chooses to submit them, the admissions team reviews the highest subscores for each test, using their latest high test score for the admission decision. Additionally, it's worth noting that writing test scores are not a mandatory requirement.

Butler Admissions

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College (CMC) maintains a superscoring policy for both the ACT and SAT. This entails considering the highest scores from each section of either the ACT or SAT, irrespective of the test date. It's important to note that CMC does not engage in superscoring across different test types.

Claremont McKenna Admissions

Colby

Contact the school for information

Colby Admissions

College of the Holy Cross

The submission of standardized test scores is optional. Contact the school for more information.

Holy Cross Admissions

Colorado College

The student has the option to report either the SAT Reasoning Test (SAT) or the ACT if they feel these scores best reflect their academic abilities and potential. If they opt for "Flexible Testing," they will carefully choose from the scores in the college’s records the combination that maximizes the advantage, ensuring a comprehensive and favorable representation of their testing performance.

Colorado College Admissions

Columbia University:

If a student takes an exam more than once, they will be evaluated on the highest score they received in any individual section.

Columbia Admissions

Connecticut College:

The Test is optional. The college "superscore" the SAT Reasoning Test and use the combined highest composite score from the ACT.

Conn College Admissions

Cornell

Currently, the test is optional. Otherwise, contact the school for information.

Cornell Admissions

Davidson College

Test optional. Davidson superscores both the ACT and SAT.

Davidson Admissions

Denison

The test is optional. Contact the school for information

Denison Admissions

DePauw University

Contact the school for information

DePauw Admissions

Dickinson College

Dickinson College maintains a well-established test-optional policy, allowing applicants the flexibility to decide whether to submit standardized test scores. It's essential to note that until the fall of 2023, Dickinson is operating under a test-free policy. This means that even if the student chooses to submit test scores, they will not be taken into consideration by the admissions committee during this period.

Dickinson Admissions

Drexel

Drexel is test optional and test flexible. For those submitting ACT scores, Drexel will consider the highest section scores across each testing date.

Drexel Admissions

Duke

For students opting not to follow the test-optional admissions track at Duke, the requirement is to submit at least one full set of scores from a single test date. However, students also have the flexibility to submit subsection scores taken individually on different test dates. Duke University will then evaluate the highest scores on each section, disregarding the test date, and will calculate a new composite score by averaging those top scores. It's important to note that Duke does not mandate the submission of the optional essay.

Duke Admissions

Duquesne University

The college implements a superscoring policy for all tests, wherein they consider the highest scores from each component of every test the student has taken. Through this process, they recalculate the highest possible score for the students by combining the top scores from each section.

Duquesne Admissions

Eckerd College

Eckerd College follows a score combination approach to establish the optimal composite score. Whether the students submit ACT or SAT scores, the college accepts both and determines the test on which the student achieved a higher score, considering that as their official submission. This allows the college to use the test where they demonstrate the highest level of achievement.

Eckerd Admissions

Elon University

Contact the school for information

Elon Admissions

Georgia Tech

The college employs superscoring specifically within the same test, utilizing the highest section scores from any test date. Upon each submission of new scores, we consistently update students’ records with the utmost consideration for their highest scores. It's crucial to note that in the evaluation process, the college takes into account all of the sub-section scores, emphasizing a comprehensive review rather than merely focusing on the sum or composite score.

Georgia Tech Admissions

Grinnell College

The college considers the best superscored ACT composite scores. The essay component is optional.

Grinnell Admissions

Hamilton College

Hamilton College accepts both official and self-reported scores when submitted with a student's application for admission. Additionally, the college engages in superscoring for both the SAT and ACT. This means that if multiple tests are submitted, Hamilton will consider the highest individual subsection scores from across these tests in the evaluation process.

Hamilton Admissions

Harvey Mudd

Contact the school for information

Harvey Mudd Admissions

Haverford College

Contact the school for information

Haverford Admissions

Hawai'i Pacific University

Contact the school for information

Hawai'i Pacific Admissions

Hendrix College

The college employs super scoring

Hendrix Admissions

Hollins University

Contact the school for information

Hollins Admissions

Indiana University Bloomington

The college practices superscoring, which implies that if the student opts to include test scores in their application, the college will take into account the highest test scores. Specifically, for the ACT, we combine the highest scores for each subtest from different exams to generate a new ACT composite score for a more comprehensive assessment.

IU Bloomington Admissions

Ithaca College

Contact the school for information

Ithaca College Admissions

Johns Hopkins

The college takes into consideration the highest combined score for the ACT. They determine the maximum value of each official section score the student has submitted and then recalculate the composite score based on these top scores.

Johns Hopkins Admissions

Kalamazoo College

Contact the school for information

Kalamazoo Admissions

Kenyon College

Please be aware that Kenyon College "super-scores" all results. This signifies that they automatically calculate a new composite score for both the SAT and ACT if the student has taken either test more than once.

Kenyon Admissions

Kettering University

Contact the school for information

Kettering Admissions

Lafayette College

Contact the school for information

Lafayette Admissions

Lawrence University

The test is optional. Contact the school for more information.

Lawrence Admissions

Lehigh University

Contact the school for information

Lehigh Admissions

Liberty University

The college gladly accepts the superscore. In the case where the student has taken the ACT or SAT multiple times, they will consider the highest individual test scores and compute a new super composite score, incorporating the best results from across all the test dates.

Liberty Admissions

Loyola University Maryland

The test is optional. Contact the school for information

Loyola Admissions

Miami University

This college utilizes the highest test scores submitted for both admission and scholarship consideration. Specifically for the ACT, the combined highest composite score is determined by considering the highest scores for each subtest from different exams.

Miami University Admissions

Middlebury College

Middlebury College adopts a "super score" policy for standardized test results. This means that they accept the highest score from each section of the SAT or ACT, irrespective of the sitting. They then sum up the best scores across different sittings of the same test for a comprehensive evaluation.

Middlebury Admissions

MIT

If you take the same test multiple times, we will consider the highest score achieved in each section.

MIT Admissions

Millsaps College

Contact the school for information

Millsaps Admissions

NYU

If the student has taken the ACT more than once, the college will recalculate a new composite using the highest score in each section, regardless of the test date.

NYU Admissions

Northeastern

Contact the school for information

Northeastern Admissions

North Carolina State University

If the student decides to share their test scores, kindly self-report them on the application. They highly encourage the students to submit all scores, and during their assessment, they will consider the highest sub-score from each section across various test dates to create a super-score.

NC State Admissions

Olin College

This college does superscores. 

Olin Admissions

Pitzer

Pitzer College operates under a test-optional policy, and for further details, it is recommended to contact the school directly. However, it's important to note that for three years, beginning in the fall of 2022, Pitzer will be test-free. During this period, test scores will not be considered for admission.

Pitzer Admissions,

Pomona College

The college will assess the SAT scores by superscoring, taking into account the highest section scores, similarly, for the ACT.

Pomona Admissions

Purdue

The college will assess the SAT scores by superscoring, taking into account the highest section scores. Similarly, for the ACT, they will superscore section scores to consider the best performance across different test dates.

Purdue Admissions

Regis

The test is optional. Contact the school for information.

Regis Admissions

Rhode Island School of Design

For students opting to submit test scores, RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) adopts a superscoring approach. This means that the admissions team will consider your highest scores across multiple test dates, providing a comprehensive evaluation.

RISD Admissions

Rochester Institute of Technology

Contact the school for information

RIT Admissions

Roger Williams

RWU (Roger Williams University) operates under a test-optional policy. However, if the student chooses to submit SAT scores, the university will consider the highest score from each section, regardless of the exam date. In the event that you submit both SAT and ACT scores, the admissions team will use the composite score that is most favorable to the student, as per the official concordance data.

Roger Williams Admissions

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Contact the school for information

Rose-Hulman Admissions

Saint Mary's College

Contact the school for information

Saint Mary's Admissions

Seattle University

If you opt to report your scores, Seattle University considers the highest sub-scores on the ACT when making decisions regarding admission, scholarships, and class placement.

Seattle Admissions

Seton Hall University

Seton Hall super scores on the ACT.

Seton Hall Admissions

Spring Hill College

Contact the school for information

Spring Hill Admissions

Stanford

For the ACT, the college will review all subscores and will focus on the highest Composite from all sittings.

Stanford Admissions

Syracuse

Contact the school for information

Syracuse Admissions

Texas Christian University

If the students provide scores from multiple sittings of the ACT, the college will consider the highest section scores across various sittings or test dates. This means they will take into account the highest scores in English, Math, Reading, and Science, even if the students achieve them on separate test dates for the ACT.

TCU Admissions

Towson University

Contact the school for information

Towson Admissions

Trinity College

In the case of standardized test scores, Trinity College operates under a test-optional policy. However, if the students choose to submit scores, the college will accept the highest scores from all tests, and they need not be from the same exam date.

Trinity College Admissions

Trinity University

Under the test-optional policy, Trinity University employs superscoring for standardized test scores. This involves taking the best subtest score from various test dates and creating a new composite score, irrespective of the test date.

Trinity U Admissions

Troy University

Contact the school for information

Troy Admissions

Tufts University

If the students have taken the test multiple times, the college will consider the highest sub-score for each section. Specifically for the ACT, the college chooses the highest subscores and calculates a superscore ACT Composite for a comprehensive evaluation.

Tufts Admissions

University of Alabama

UA will superscore for admission purposes. The college will not superscore for automatic, merit-based scholarships.

University of Alabama Admissions

University of Arkansas

Contact the school for information

U Arkansas Admissions

University of Chicago

Superscoring is executed for both the SAT and ACT tests. 

U Chicago Admissions

University of Colorado—Boulder

The college will consider the highest section scores on the SAT by superscoring; they will also superscore ACT section scores.

U Colorado Admissions

University of Connecticut

The college will combine the highest scores from each subsection of an exam to create the best overall score (within the same exam formats) for exams taken more than once.

U Conn Admissions

University of Dayton

Contact the school for information

U Dayton Admissions

University of Delaware

Contact the school for information

U Delaware Admissions

University of Denver

If the students have taken either test more than once, the college will combine the best scores from the individual sections of each test to create an ideal superscore.

U Denver Admissions

University of Georgia

UGA adopts a superscoring policy for both the SAT and ACT. In the case of the ACT, this entails considering the highest individual score from each of the four subsections across all ACT tests taken, utilizing this information to calculate the highest composite. While the reported ACT test score information involves the composite, during the admission review process, UGA places emphasis specifically on the ACT English and Math scores.

U Georgia Admissions

University of Maryland

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

U Maryland Admissions

University of Mary Washington

The test is optional. Contact the school for information.

U Mary Washington Admissions

UMass Amherst

For those who choose to submit test scores, the college continues to consider the student's best combination of scores from all of your tests.

U Mass Admissions

University of Miami

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

University of Miami Admissions

University of North Alabama

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

University of North Alabama Admissions 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:

If the students provide scores from both the SAT and ACT, the college will consider the higher of the two and disregard the other. In the case of multiple administrations of either test, the college will utilize the highest score obtained for each section or subject and disregard the others.

UNC Admissions

University of North Texas

Contact the school for information

UNT Admissions

University of Pennsylvania

For the ACT, we consider the highest individual English, Math, Reading, and Science scores across test sittings.

UPenn Admissions

University of Pittsburgh

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

U Pitt Admissions

University of Puget Sound

Test optional. Contact the school for information.

Puget Sound Admissions

University of Rhode Island

Superscoring is considered for the ACT Exam. 

Rhode Island Admissions

University of Rochester

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

U Rochester Admissions

University of South Florida

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

USF Admissions

University of Tampa

Contact the school for information

U Tampa Admissions

University of Tennessee

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

U Tennessee Admissions

University of Vermont

Contact the school for information

U Vermont Admissions

University of Virginia

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

UVA Admissions

University of Washington

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

UW Admissions

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt will superscore both the SAT and the ACT.

Vanderbilt Admissions

Valparaiso University

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

Valparaiso Admissions

Vassar College

In assessing ACT scores, Vassar uses the highest subscores taken from multiple test dates and recalculates a new composite score.

Vassar Admissions

Villanova University

The Admission Committee will superscore the highest subscores from the SAT and/or ACT from multiple test dates.

Villanova Admissions

Virginia Commonwealth University

Contact the school for information

VCU Admissions

Virginia Tech

Contact the school for information

Virginia Tech Admissions

Wake Forest University

Test optional. Contact the school for information.

Wake Forest Admissions

Washington and Lee University

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

W & L Admissions

Washington University in St. Louis

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

WUSTL Admissions

Wesleyan University

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. The test is optional. 

Wesleyan Admissions

Western Michigan University:

Under the test-optional policy, applicants who choose to include test scores in the admission process at WMU are encouraged to report/submit scores from all test dates. This enables WMU to utilize your highest subscores from any test date to superscore your total (SAT) or composite (ACT) score. 

WMU Admissions

West Point (US Military Academy)

Contact the school for information

West Point Admissions

West Virginia University

WVU combines the highest sub-scores from different test dates to create a 'super score' total or composite for admissions and scholarship consideration eligibility.

WVU Admissions

Wheaton College

Test optional. Contact the school for information.

Wheaton Admissions

Williams College

Superscoring is considered for both the SAT and ACT Exams. 

Williams Admissions

Xavier University

Contact the school for information

Xavier Admissions

Why Do Colleges Superscore the ACT?

  • A Holistic View: Superscoring allows colleges to take a more holistic approach to admissions. By considering the students' best scores from different sittings, they get a more comprehensive picture of the students' abilities. 
  • Recognizing Growth: Colleges understand that not everyone is a morning person or performs their best under pressure. Superscoring lets the students acknowledge their growth and improvement over multiple attempts.
  • Fair Assessment: Superscoring levels the playing field. It recognizes that a person's potential might not be accurately reflected in a single test sitting.

Tips for Navigating Superscoring Colleges

Now, let's equip the students with some tips for navigating the superscoring landscape.
1. Strategic Test-Taking: Knowing that colleges might cherry-pick the student's best scores, strategically plan the test dates. Give yourself ample time to prepare and consider retaking the test if needed.

2. Highlight Improvement: If the students have shown improvement in specific sections over different test dates, that's gold! Make sure to emphasize this in your application.

3. Check College Policies: Not all colleges superscore, and some may only superscore specific sections. Students must check the policies of the colleges that they are interested in to tailor their test-taking strategy accordingly. 

4. Embrace the Optional Essay: Some colleges may consider the ACT Writing section in their superscoring. 

Wrapping Up

And there you have it, intrepid scholars! The ACT and superscoring might seem like complex mazes, but armed with knowledge, you're well on your way to navigating them with confidence. Remember, your scores are just one part of a larger story you're telling to colleges. So, go forth, conquer those standardized tests, and may the superscore odds ever be in your favor!

 

We hope this article helps you. Reach out to us by filling out our assistance form if you need any help with the preparations.