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What is SAT Score Choice? Everything You Need to Know
By
Cece Gilmore
Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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SAT score choice allows you to choose which SAT score gets sent to which college if you have taken multiple SAT exams. Keep reading to find out more about SAT score choice and how it can help you throughout the college application process!
What is SAT score choice?
SAT score choice allows students to choose what scores will get sent to colleges if they took multiple SAT exams. This allows you to put your best foot forward when applying to colleges. If you choose not to use the SAT score choice option then the College Board will send all of your scores to the colleges you listed as score recipients
If you have the time and money to do so, you should try to take the SAT more than once and then use SAT score choice to send your best attempt to your colleges. This is a great option if you feel that your first SAT attempt was not as strong as you can be.
Related: Should I take the SAT/ACT?
How does SAT score choice work? .
You will need a College Board account in order to view your scores and send score reports to colleges. When you initially register for the SAT, you can choose up to 4 score recipients for free. To send additional schools your score it costs $12.
In your College Board account you will see a list of your colleges and your scores. You will have to select the “choose scores” button and then select which score you want to send to each college individually. Remember, if you do not use the score choice option then the College Board will automatically send all of your scores to the schools you listed.
Related: Average SAT score by state
What is a superscore?
A SAT or ACT superscore is when you take your best scored sections from different SAT or ACT exams and combine them to give you the highest possible score.
For example, say you took the SAT twice, and the first time you earned a 700 on the math section and a 520 on the reading section. The second time you earned a 650 on the math section and a 600 on the reading section. When you superscore, you can combine your first math score and your second reading score to give you a 1300 superscore.
It is important to note that some colleges and universities do not accept superscores. So, be sure to check your anticipated school’s policies regarding superscores.
SAT score choice vs superscore
| SAT Score Choice | Superscore |
| Students select which test dates scores to send | Automatically takes the highest section scores across multiple test dates |
| Available regardless of a college’s policy | Depends on if the college accepts superscore |
| Best for students with one or a few strong test dates | Best for students who have section scores spread across different test dates |
Key Takeaways
