If you haven’t already done so, early October is an ideal time for sending ACT or SAT scores to colleges if you’re applying Early Action or Early Decision and your schools require official score reports. Some schools have historically been real sticklers for everything getting in by Nov. 1, so we recommend giving the testing agency at least 2 weeks to send the scores. Before you send your scores though, you’ll first need to understand score reporting policies of each school on your college list.
There are two main ways that colleges accept ACT and SAT scores: either directly from the testing agency–either the ACT or the College Board–or through self-reporting. Do your schools require official test score reports? Or do they accept (and maybe even prefer) self-reported scores? Be sure to find out! Either way, read on to discover what you need to know about submitting your test scores.
Self-Reporting Scores
What is self-reporting? Should I do that?
Many schools now accept self-reported scores as official for the review process. This means that the scores you report on your application (or, sometimes, in a college’s portal) are used for your application review, and will be confirmed as accurate and when you matriculate to a college or university. We encourage students to take advantage of self-reporting wherever possible; first, it lowers the cost of applying (no fees for sending scores!), and second, it often allows them to only reveal their highest subsection scores. With self-reporting, the college will not see a student’s lowest subsection scores until the student is already admitted. However, note that with self-reporting ACT scores, the student may not calculate and enter their own superscored composite score.
How do I self-report scores?
How you self-report your scores will depend on the process that each school uses. There are three types of platforms for self-reporting:
- The Common App. Some schools will allow you to enter your scores directly in the Common App.
- The individual college’s portal. In some cases, you’ll use the college’s portal to enter your scores after you apply.
- STARS. A smaller number of colleges accept scores through STARS, the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System. For more information on how to submit your scores through STARS, check out our blog.
How do I know if a college accepts self-reported scores?
The college will clearly state this on their admissions website. If the information seems at all ambiguous, we recommend reaching out to the college directly.
Sending Official Test Scores Reports
How do I send official test scores?
If the schools you’re applying to require official test scores, you’ll need to log into your College Board or ACT account. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see an option to send your existing scores. Follow the directions to send your scores directly from that website
But I thought my high school sends test scores?
Your high school will send your transcript and your letters of recommendation. You are responsible for sending your ACT or SAT score reports, if a college requires them.
How Does Superscoring Work?
ACT superscoring
The ACT offers a superscore report, wherein the ACT calculates the superscore for a student based on their highest subsection scores. This report includes the superscore, plus all of the results from test dates involved in the superscore.
It’s important to note, though, that individual colleges have varying policies when it comes to how they view superscoring—some consider superscores, while some do not. Additionally, there are two different ways that colleges may superscore. Some will consider the highest subsection scores achieved, but will not use those scores to recalculate a composite score, while others will calculate a new composite based on those scores.
When students are happy with the full set of scores that will be included in the new report. they may choose to send it to colleges that they know practice superscoring. Many students, however, may prefer to self-report everywhere possible, which will enable them to show only their highest subsections.
SAT superscoring
The College Board does not offer a superscore report, but some colleges will do the superscoring themselves when they receive multiple scores—it depends on the school. Not all schools superscore, though: UT Austin is a notable example of one that does not, but rather views only the highest scores achieved in a single sitting.
The College Board does offer Score Choice, a feature that allows students to choose to which sets of scores to send to a college, but note that some schools will require applicants to send all available scores.
As always, be sure to check directly with the schools you are applying to so that you know their superscoring policies! You can learn more about superscoring at our blog.
What if I’m taking the October ACT or November SAT? Can I use those tests for early deadlines?
Many schools will accept these tests as part of early applications, even though results come in after the deadlines. Make sure to double-check the policies of your colleges of interest to confirm if they will take these exams, and, if so, if they need to be sent to them directly or if the college will accept a self-reported score as soon as you get it.
Questions? We are always here to help. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us.
