Maximize your SAT superscore by strategically focusing on one section per test
Superscoring takes your highest Reading & Writing score and highest Math score from different test dates and combines them. Enter your baseline scores below (from a practice test or previous SAT), then this tool creates a strategic plan where you focus on improving one section per test, maximizing your superscore potential.
Enter scores from a practice test or previous official SAT to establish your baseline. This is required to create your personalized superscore strategy.
We recommend 2-3 tests for optimal superscoring. More than 3 tests typically has diminishing returns.
SAT Superscoring is when colleges take your highest section scores from different SAT test dates and combine them to create your best possible composite score. This means you can focus on improving one section at a time across multiple test attempts.
For example, if you scored 600 Reading/Writing and 650 Math on your first test, then 680 Reading/Writing and 620 Math on your second test, your superscore would be 1330 (680 R&W + 650 Math) - taking the best from each section.
Over 80% of four-year colleges and universities accept SAT superscores, including most selective institutions like MIT, Yale, Stanford, Duke, and many state universities.
Below is a list of popular colleges and their SAT superscoring policies. Always verify with the school's official admissions website before applying.
| College | Type | Superscores SAT | Testing Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Princeton | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| MIT | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Stanford | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Yale | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Columbia | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Duke | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Johns Hopkins | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| UPenn | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Northwestern | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Cornell | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Brown | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Dartmouth | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Rice | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Vanderbilt | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Carnegie Mellon | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Notre Dame | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| U of Michigan | Public | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Georgetown | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| NYU | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| U of Virginia | Public | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Boston University | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Georgia Tech | Public | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| U of Florida | Public | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Boston College | Private | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Ohio State | Public | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
| Penn State | Public | ✓ Yes | View Policy → |
Superscoring isn't just a nice policy. It's a genuine competitive advantage that can meaningfully improve your admission odds at selective schools.
Admissions offices report SAT ranges using superscores. A 50-100 point boost can move you from below a school's 25th percentile to their median—a meaningful shift in how competitive your application looks.
Many merit scholarships have hard SAT cutoffs. A superscore that crosses the 1400 or 1500 threshold could unlock thousands of dollars in aid that a single-sitting score might miss.
Students who understand superscoring can plan strategically, while others waste attempts trying to perfect both sections at once. You're now in the group that knows how to play this smarter.
When you only need to focus on one section per test, you can study deeper and perform better. Less anxiety on test day typically means higher scores—the research backs this up.
There's zero downside to retaking. A bad test day doesn't hurt you because colleges only see your highest section scores. This safety net lets you take smart risks.
Some students have off days, test anxiety, or life circumstances that affect one sitting. Superscoring ensures you're judged by your true ability across attempts, not a single snapshot.
Use our free calculator above to create your personalized SAT superscore strategy.