ACT/SAT: What is Super Score?

Colleges use super-scoring as a framework for considering scores across different subsections, called sub scores and record a SUPERSCORE that is obviously higher than your individual test scores.

ACT Framework of Super Score: The ACT is scored out of a possible maximum of 36. The composite score is the sum of the scores in 2 sections: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and ELA (English Language Arts). Your STEM and ELA scores represent your overall performance on the specific subject tests you took. The STEM score also looks at the science and mathematics tests to produce a combined score, and the ELA does the same for the English, reading, and writing tests.

Let us say that a student takes a test twice:

• TEST 1: In test 1, student’s composite scores 23 and subject-wise scores are English 20, Math 19, Reading 29, and Science 25.
• TEST 2: In test 2, student’s composite scores 22 and subject-wise scores are English 22, Math 18, Reading 25, and Science 30.

The student’s super score, in this case, would comprise of the following: English 22, MATH 19, Reading 29, and Science 30.

SAT Framework of Super Score: The SAT is scored out of a possible maximum of 1600. The composite score is the sum of the scores in 2 sections: Mathematics and Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW). Let us say that a student takes a test twice:

• TEST 1: In test 1, student score is 1260- 700 in Mathematics and 560 in the EBRW Section.
• TEST 2: In test 2 student scores is 1290- 720 in Mathematics and 570 in the EBRW section.

A combination of sub scores would give the student a super score of 1280, which is the exact benefit of this process. The best scores from both the subsections are counted toward the final score of the student.

Super scoring is not accepted by all the colleges, therefore, do check out the website of the ACT and SAT to check the participating colleges.

To score high students can use Socrato to practice online and get insights beyond scores. Socrato’s Companion Series helps you get the most from your Official Study Guide.

To prepare for the ACT download a free e-Book. Grade your practice test bubble-sheet online to get a detailed Socrato diagnostic report.