Heard some school admission offices prioritize submissions with superscores. Is this true, and does it actually make a big impact on their application decision?
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College admissions offices do not give priority to applications with superscored test results over single-sitting scores. The superscoring policy exists to benefit students by allowing them to showcase their best performance across multiple test dates, but it does not create preferential treatment in the review process.
When colleges evaluate standardized test scores, they follow their stated testing policies consistently for all applicants. If a school accepts superscoring, they will calculate it automatically for every student who submits multiple test dates. The admissions officers simply want to see your highest possible performance, whether that comes from a single sitting or combined scores from different test dates.
The impact of superscoring on your application decision comes from the potentially higher composite score it creates, not from the fact that you submitted multiple test dates. For example, if your superscore is 1400 and another applicant has a single-sitting score of 1400, the admissions office views these scores as exactly equivalent. Your application will be evaluated based on the final number, not how you achieved it.
Your best strategy is to focus on achieving the highest possible scores you can, whether through one excellent test sitting or by combining your best section scores across multiple attempts. Most colleges that accept superscoring will automatically calculate it for you, so there's no special submission process required. Remember that test scores are just one component of your application, and admissions decisions are based on your complete academic profile, extracurricular activities, essays, and other factors.
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