A Guide to SAT Superscoring
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Kristen Wagoner
As Strategic Test Prep's Client Success Manager supporting students aiming for top colleges, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“How many times should I take the SAT?”
Closely followed by:
"Should I send all my scores?”
“What does it mean to superscore?”
“If a school is test-optional, should I submit my test score?”
My answers often surprise families—especially those who assume taking the SAT more than once looks “bad” or that sending every score is required.
Let’s break down how SAT superscoring works, what top schools actually expect, and how to use testing strategically to strengthen your application.
🔍 What Does It Mean to Superscore the SAT?
Superscoring is a policy used by many colleges that allows students to submit their best section scores across multiple SAT test dates.
In other words, you don’t need your highest Math and highest Reading & Writing score to happen on the same day. If you earned a higher Math score in March and a higher Reading & Writing score in June, many schools will combine those two results into a single “superscore.”
This is great news for students because it rewards improvement over time. It also reflects what we see in real prep: most students don’t hit their personal best in both sections on the same test date.
🔍 How Many Times Should I Take the SAT?
Here’s the honest answer: as many times as it takes (within reason). Let's walk through why.
Prior to 2023, when the SAT was still a paper test, we generally recommended that students take the exam no more than three times. One major reason this guidance has changed is the increased score volatility on the digital SAT. We now regularly see score swings of up to 80 points from one test to another. Because of this variability, sitting for additional test administrations can be beneficial, as it increases the likelihood of landing on an exam form that is more algorithmically favorable.
Second, most high-achieving students should plan to take the SAT multiple times because it is extremely difficult to score in the top 1%. The SAT rewards repetition, pattern recognition, and familiarity with the test’s style—and those things improve with consistent practice. In some cases, students test five or even six times, especially if they are superscoring and steadily improving.
It’s also worth noting that small point increases matter more than most people think. A 20-point jump may not sound like a big deal, but there is a real difference between an application with a 1490 and a 1510. The SAT is one of the few parts of the application that is truly comparable across students, so even small improvements can strengthen how competitive you look.
The one thing we want to be mindful of is test-taking burnout. If you’re testing repeatedly without meaningful improvement, it may be time to pause, adjust prep strategy, and return when you’re ready.
✅ Recommendation for Sending Scores: Don’t Send Them Automatically
One of the biggest mistakes students make is selecting to automatically send SAT scores when completing the College Board SAT registration form.
Here’s my advice:
Wait until application season before sending any official scores then choose which ones you want to send.
When you wait, you keep control. You’ll be able to send only your strongest scores to the schools you’re actually applying to. Many students don’t realize that when they click “send scores”, they may be sending results they won’t want colleges to see later. Instead, we recommend waiting until you are completing applications so you can make decisions based on your final score profile.
🔍 What Schools Accept Superscores?
As of 2026, superscoring is accepted at essentially all top colleges.
There are a couple well-known exceptions: Georgetown and MIT do not superscore in the same way many private universities do, instead requesting to see all scores. For students who are gunning for one of these programs, we advise waiting to take a test until you are absolutely ready (no practice runs).
That said, for the majority of students applying to selective colleges, superscoring is not just accepted—it’s the norm.
🔍 When Should You Submit Your SAT Score?
For test-optional schools, the decision to submit scores can feel confusing. But there’s a reliable way to approach it.
Start by checking the school’s published SAT range for accepted students. If your score falls within that range—even if it’s on the lower end—you should strongly consider submitting.
We also hear consistently from admissions officers that test-optional schools prefer applicants with score. In practice, many schools still value SAT scores because they help validate academic readiness and contribute to the testing data schools report publicly.
So if your score is solid for that school, submitting it can strengthen your application more than families expect and unlock additional scholarship opportunities.
⏰ The Big Takeaway
If there’s one thing I want families to walk away with, it’s this: the SAT is not designed to be a one-time event—especially for students aiming for top scores. In the same way athletes don’t expect their best performance to happen on their first competition, students shouldn’t expect their strongest SAT score to happen on their first test date.
That’s also why superscoring matters so much. It gives students permission to focus on steady progress instead of perfection.
It’s worth remembering that small increases can make a meaningful difference at the highest levels. When students are competing in a pool where thousands of applicants have excellent grades and strong extracurriculars, the SAT becomes one of the clearest signals colleges can compare. That’s why going from “almost there” to “just over the line” can matter more than families expect.
The SAT isn’t about being naturally good at testing. For most students, it’s about preparation, repetition, and strategic decision-making. And when students approach it that way—using superscoring, testing enough times to maximize their score, and submitting strategically—they put themselves in the strongest position possible for admissions.
Most students don’t reach their top score until they’ve taken the SAT multiple times, built consistency through practice, and learned how to manage timing, pressure, and the test’s patterns.
Want a help formulating a clear SAT study plan? Book a free consultation and we’ll help you map out the smartest strategy for your student.
Happy Prepping!
Kristen Wagoner
Client Success Manager - Strategic Test Prep
Comments