Are you taking the ACT? Before registering, you should know how admissions officers look at your scores. Do they consider Math, Science, Reading, and English individually, or do they care more about the composite score?
You might be relieved to hear that many colleges "superscore" your ACT scores by taking the best subscores across all your test dates and creating the strongest possible composite score. Read on for the full list of colleges that superscore the ACT, followed by some tips on how you can use this policy to your advantage.
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Before getting to the full list of colleges that superscore the ACT, let's quickly review how the ACT is scored. Each section of the ACT is given a scaled score between 1 and 36. These area scores are then averaged together to get your composite score, which also ranges between 1 and 36.
If a college superscores the ACT, it will take your highest Math, Science, Reading, and English scores that you achieved on any of the dates you took the test. Then, it will average these together for a new composite so that you'll end up with your highest possible composite score.
While superscoring means that you are much safer retaking the test many times, you still shouldn't treat retaking the ACT as having absolutely zero cost. Many superscoring ACT schools can still see all your scores, which can subconsciously affect how they view you as an applicant. For example, if you took the ACT more than six times and your scores were all over the place, admissions officers might wonder how seriously you're taking the test and whether your results are a true measure of your skills.
As long as you don't overdo it, taking the ACT more than once can strongly work in your favor if you're applying to schools that superscore. Now that you know how ACT superscoring works, let's look at the colleges that superscore.
For this section, we've compiled a complete list of all schools that superscore ACT tests. In addition, we've included each school's official standardized testing policy and the link to its admissions page. This is the most comprehensive guide to ACT-superscoring colleges available online. Since policies can change, definitely contact your school(s) if you have any questions or want to double-check their scoring policies.
Also keep in mind that just because these schools superscore doesn’t mean that they require standardized test scores. Some of the schools listed below are now either temporarily or permanently test optional (even if their official statement on scoring doesn’t mention it). But if you’re choosing to submit scores to maximize your chances of admission, their superscoring policies can work in your favor!
If a school's policy states, "Contact school for information," this means the policy isn't available on the school's website (though multiple sources have confirmed that this school does superscore the ACT). If you're interested in applying to this type of school, contact it directly.
"CMC will continue to superscore the ACT or SAT. This means we will accept the highest scores from each section of the ACT or SAT, regardless of the test date. We do not superscore across test types."
Let us know in the comments if we missed any schools, or if any schools have changed so we can provide you with the most updated list!
If you're applying to colleges on this list, how do their superscoring policies affect your ACT testing plan?
If your college superscores the ACT, you should, too! What I mean by this is that you can concentrate on one to two sections for each test date to build up your highest ACT superscore.
If this is your strategy, you will have to start taking the ACT tests earlier to ensure that you have enough test dates to maximize your score. Some schools require that you send all of your scores from every time you took the ACT, so we do not recommend having huge fluctuations in your section scores. In other words, give your best effort on every administration of the test.
However, this focused study plan may help you build a strong "superscore" that's a great asset to your college application.
Every piece of your application is important to building a successful whole. By carefully crafting a testing plan, researching your schools' policies, and preparing strategically and intensively for test day, you'll be well on your way to creating an outstanding college application!
Now that you know all of the colleges that superscore ACT tests, the goal now is to improve your ACT score as much as possible. First, what's a good ACT score? Read our article on good, bad, and excellent ACT scores so you can identify and prepare for your target score.
Next step, preparation! We've compiled all free ACT practice tests available today so you can get started on tons of practice questions.
Want to get a perfect 36 ACT score? Read a perfect scorer's guide to acing the ACT.
Need help on a specific section of the ACT? Read our guides to getting a 36 on ACT English, ACT Math, and ACT Reading.
