The ACT Superscore Strategy: Score Higher Without Retaking Every Section

Understanding the ACT Superscore – Structure and Calculation

Introduction to the ACT Superscore

The ACT Superscore is a newer way of evaluating student performance across multiple ACT sessions. Unlike the traditional Composite score, which reflects the average of all four subject scores from a single test date, the Superscore captures a student’s highest individual subject scores from different test dates. By doing so, it assembles a “best version” of a student’s performance, resulting in a new, often higher, score that can be submitted to colleges and universities.

The intent behind the Superscore is to offer students a fairer, more encouraging assessment system. This scoring method rewards consistent improvement and allows a student to recover from a poor performance in one subject without being penalized across the board.

What Makes Up the Superscore?

The ACT consists of four mandatory sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale from 1 to 36. Traditionally, the Composite score is the average of these four sections, rounded to the nearest whole number.

With the Superscore, ACT selects the highest score achieved in each of the four sections across all of a student’s test attempts. It then averages these top scores to create a new composite figure. This Superscore is presented just like any other ACT score report, and students can choose to send this version to colleges that accept it.

Here’s how the process works:

1. A student takes the ACT multiple times. 
2. The ACT records each test session’s subject scores. 
3. For each subject (English, Math, Reading, Science), the ACT identifies the highest score the student achieved. 
4. These four best scores are averaged. 
5. The average is rounded to the nearest whole number to form the official Superscore. 

This method enables students to focus on improving individual sections in future test attempts, knowing that these improvements will be recognized in the final Superscore.

Example of Superscore Calculation

To visualize the Superscore process, let’s consider a hypothetical student who takes the ACT three times:

• First ACT Attempt 
  • English: 22 
  • Math: 24 
  • Reading: 25 
  • Science: 23 
• Second ACT Attempt 
  • English: 25 
  • Math: 22 
  • Reading: 27 
  • Science: 24 
• Third ACT Attempt 
  • English: 26 
  • Math: 26 
  • Reading: 24 
  • Science: 26 

From the above attempts, the highest individual section scores are:

• English: 26 (third attempt) 
• Math: 26 (third attempt) 
• Reading: 27 (second attempt) 
• Science: 26 (third attempt) 

To calculate the Superscore:

• (26 + 26 + 27 + 26) ÷ 4 = 26.25 → Rounded to 26 

The Superscore in this case is 26. Even though the student never achieved a Composite score of 26 in a single sitting, the Superscore reflects the best performance across all sessions and gives a higher, more representative result.

How the Superscore Reflects Student Strengths

A major benefit of the Superscore is its ability to showcase a student’s academic strengths more effectively. Many students find that their strongest subject varies by test date, depending on preparation, focus, or even fatigue. The Superscore ensures that their most successful efforts in each area are not wasted or overshadowed by a weaker subject on a particular day.

This method is especially helpful for students who:

• Want to improve just one or two subjects after their first ACT? 
• Experienced a bad testing day, but still had one or two strong section scores. 
• Are you applying to highly selective schools or scholarships where every score point matters? 

Since many students improve with practice and preparation, the Superscore rewards persistence and strategic test-taking. It also helps level the playing field for students who need more than one attempt to demonstrate their full academic potential.

ACT’s Superscore Policy

The ACT automatically calculates Superscores for all students who have taken the ACT more than once since September 2016. These scores are available in the student’s ACT online portal and are listed along with other test results.

Students can:

• View their Superscore alongside individual test date scores. 
• Choose which scores to send to colleges, including their Superscore. 
• Decide based on each college’s specific score use policy. 

It’s important to understand that ACT Superscores are official scores. They are not estimates or student-calculated figures. They are fully verified and accepted in the same manner as traditional scores for colleges that support Superscoring.

Components Excluded from the Superscore

While English, Math, Reading, and Science are used to calculate the Superscore, the optional Writing section is not included. The Writing section is scored separately and does not contribute to the Superscore calculation.

However, the Writing score still appears on the student’s report and may be reviewed by colleges that require it. It’s essential to check the writing requirements of each school when preparing for and reporting ACT results.

Who Benefits Most from Superscoring?

The Superscore system is especially beneficial for students who:

• Take the ACT more than once. 
• See improvement over time in different subject areas. 
• They are aiming to present the highest possible score to maximize admission chances. 
• Are applying to programs with minimum score requirements in one or more sections. 
• Seek eligibility for merit-based scholarships that factor in ACT performance. 

By focusing on consistent growth and targeted section improvements, students can use Superscoring as a tool to craft a test strategy that minimizes stress and rewards perseverance.

The ACT Superscore provides a modern, flexible, and student-centered approach to standardized testing. By assembling the highest scores from multiple test dates into a single, new score, it allows students to reflect their true potential more accurately. This scoring method can enhance college applications, unlock scholarship opportunities, and encourage students to approach testing with a long-term improvement mindset.

Superscore vs. Composite Score – A Comparative Analysis

Overview of ACT Composite Scoring

To fully understand the value and implications of the ACT Superscore, it’s important to first examine how the traditional ACT Composite score is calculated. The Composite score is a straightforward average of the four core section scores—English, Math, Reading, and Science—from a single test session. Each section is scored on a scale from 1 to 36. The Composite score is then rounded to the nearest whole number.

For example, a student receiving the following scores in a single ACT session:

• English: 25 
• Math: 28 
• Reading: 24 
• Science: 26 

The Composite score is calculated as:
(25 + 28 + 24 + 26) ÷ 4 = 25.75 → Rounded to 26

This Composite score reflects only that one testing experience. If the student took the ACT again and scored differently, a new Composite score would be calculated for that session, but previous Composite scores would remain unchanged.

Superscore vs. Composite: The Key Difference

The Superscore is not bound to a single testing date. Instead, it selects the best score in each subject across all test sessions and then averages those scores. This allows a student to show consistent strengths or improvements in individual sections, without being penalized for weaker areas on specific test dates.

Let’s compare the two score types using an example student who has taken the ACT three times:

• Attempt 1 
  • English: 24 
  • Math: 25 
  • Reading: 23 
  • Science: 26 
  • Composite: (24 + 25 + 23 + 26) ÷ 4 = 24.5 → Rounded to 25 
• Attempt 2 
  • English: 26 
  • Math: 23 
  • Reading: 25 
  • Science: 24 
  • Composite: (26 + 23 + 25 + 24) ÷ 4 = 24.5 → Rounded to 25 
• Attempt 3 
  • English: 25 
  • Math: 27 
  • Reading: 24 
  • Science: 27 
  • Composite: (25 + 27 + 24 + 27) ÷ 4 = 25.75 → Rounded to 26 

From these attempts, the Superscore would take:

• English: 26 (second attempt) 
• Math: 27 (third attempt) 
• Reading: 25 (second attempt) 
• Science: 27 (third attempt) 

Superscore: (26 + 27 + 25 + 27) ÷ 4 = 26.25 → Rounded to 26

In this case, the highest Composite score is 26, and the Superscore is also 26. But in many scenarios, the Superscore ends up being higher than any single Composite score. Even when it matches, it offers a more optimistic interpretation of a student’s performance by aggregating peak achievements in each subject.

Situational Advantages of Superscoring

The ACT Superscore can be particularly valuable in several situations:

1. Targeted Improvement
   Students often prepare specifically to improve weaker sections in subsequent ACT attempts. The Superscore rewards this effort by letting those improvements count without diminishing strong past performances in other areas. 
2. High-Pressure Students
   Many students experience inconsistent results due to test anxiety. With Superscoring, a single poor section score won’t necessarily diminish their overall performance profile. 
3. Test Strategy Planning
   Knowing that the ACT Superscore exists allows students to adopt a more strategic approach. They can pace their preparation, focus on one or two sections at a time, and schedule multiple test dates to build their ideal score. 
4. Scholarship Eligibility
   Merit-based scholarships often have strict score cutoffs. A single point on the ACT can sometimes mean the difference between receiving and missing out on significant financial support. Superscoring offers an additional way to boost scores and meet these benchmarks. 

Misconceptions About Superscoring

While Superscoring has many benefits, there are a few misconceptions that students and parents sometimes hold:

• “The Superscore is always higher than the Composite.”
  While this is often true, it is not guaranteed. If a student had their best performance in all sections during a single sitting, then the Superscore and Composite will be identical. 
• “All colleges use the Superscore.”
  Not all institutions accept the Superscore. Some still only consider the highest Composite score from a single sitting. Others might calculate their own internal Superscore based on all received results, but won’t officially acknowledge it in their policies. Therefore, students should always check each college’s score-use policy before deciding which scores to send. 
• “You have to send all test scores to Superscore.”
  Not necessarily. Students can choose to send only the test results that include the best section scores. However, this depends on each institution’s policy on score reporting—some require all test scores (known as “score choice policies”), while others allow students to select. 

Strategic Testing and Reporting

Understanding the difference between Composite and Superscore gives students an edge in how they plan for the ACT. Here are several strategic approaches based on this knowledge:

• Multi-Session Planning
  Instead of trying to achieve the perfect Composite in one sitting, students can plan to take the ACT two or three times. After the first session, they can review which sections need improvement and prepare accordingly for the next. 
• Section-Specific Focus
  Some students naturally excel in one or two areas and struggle with others. Superscoring allows them to make those strengths count fully. Focusing exclusively on the weaker sections in future test attempts can result in a significantly better Superscore. 
• Efficient Score Reporting
  For schools that accept Superscores, students can submit only the test dates that contribute to their best section results, potentially reducing the need to share lower scores. This can shape how an admissions committee views the student’s academic profile. 
• Resource Allocation
  Knowing that Superscoring exists may help families better allocate time and financial resources. Rather than investing in intense preparation for a single test date, students can build a longer-term plan spread across several months, emphasizing continuous improvement. 

When to Rely on Composite Scores

While Superscoring offers many advantages, some students may still benefit from focusing on achieving the highest Composite score possible. This is especially true in cases where:

• The majority of target schools do not accept Superscores. 
• The student is unable to schedule multiple test dates due to timing or logistics. 
• The student performs consistently well across all sections in a single attempt. 

In such scenarios, investing time in improving overall test performance in one sitting may offer a more direct path to a strong score report.

Superscore in Practice: A Balanced View

Students and families need to keep perspective when it comes to test scores. The Superscore is a helpful tool, but it is not a magic solution. It rewards effort, strategy, and persistence. Students must still prepare thoroughly, practice consistently, and engage with the test seriously across multiple attempts.

Also, admissions officers do not view a Superscore as “cheating the system” or inflating performance. Instead, they see it as a fair representation of a student’s academic capabilities. Many schools consider superscoring as part of a holistic admissions process, balancing it with GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation.

The ACT Superscore and the Composite score represent two different ways of measuring academic achievement. The Composite reflects a snapshot in time—one complete test session. The Superscore, on the other hand, highlights the highest levels a student can reach in each subject by combining the best elements of multiple sessions.

Understanding how both scores work—and how they are perceived by colleges—allows students to make better decisions about preparation, retesting, and score reporting. Superscoring opens up new possibilities for showcasing academic potential, particularly when used with clear goals and a smart testing strategy.

Evaluating the Fairness and Effectiveness of Superscoring

Background on Standardized Testing Concerns

Standardized testing has long been at the center of debate in college admissions. Critics of such exams argue that factors like income level, access to test preparation, and school resources create unequal opportunities among students. Others maintain that tests like the ACT provide a consistent, measurable way to assess academic readiness across diverse education systems.

When the ACT introduced the Superscore officially in 2021, it became necessary to consider not only its logistical effects but also its ethical and educational implications. Would Superscoring give certain students an unfair advantage? Could it misrepresent a student’s actual capabilities? Or might it be a step toward more accurately and fairly portraying student potential?

Initial Concerns About Superscoring

Several concerns arose before Superscoring was formally adopted by the ACT:

1. Equity Concerns
   Critics questioned whether Superscoring would favor students who had the financial means to take the test multiple times. In this view, students from low-income households, who might only be able to afford or access the ACT once, could be left behind in an increasingly competitive environment. 
2. Inflation of Academic Performance
   Some believed that Superscoring might distort a student’s academic profile by creating an artificially high score. A student who struggles to perform well across all sections on the same day might be seen as having higher proficiency than they do. 
3. Overemphasis on Testing Strategy
   With superscoring in place, there was a risk that students would begin to treat the ACT more like a strategic game than a holistic measure of knowledge. This could shift focus away from well-rounded preparation and toward test-day tactics, possibly undermining educational values. 

Despite these concerns, ACT conducted extensive research to evaluate whether these issues had merit and whether Superscoring would be a valid, fair practice for all students.

Research Supporting Superscoring

The ACT’s internal research, as well as studies conducted in collaboration with higher education institutions, provided critical insights. These findings supported the decision to implement Superscoring and addressed many of the concerns listed above.

1. Improved Predictive Validity
   One of the strongest arguments in favor of Superscoring is that it more accurately predicts college success than traditional Composite scoring. Multiple large-scale studies compared first-year college GPAs with student ACT scores and found that Superscores had a slightly stronger correlation with academic performance in college than any single Composite score. In other words, a Superscore gives admissions offices a better sense of how a student is likely to perform once enrolled. 
2. Consistency Across Demographics
   The ACT’s research showed that Superscoring did not disproportionately benefit or harm students based on gender, race, ethnicity, parental education level, or household income. This suggests that the Superscore is fair in how it treats students from various backgrounds. 
3. Reinforcement of Academic Growth
   Superscoring inherently supports students who grow and improve over time. Many high school students naturally develop stronger skills in different subjects at different rates. By recognizing this growth, the Superscore helps reflect long-term learning rather than isolated performance. 

These findings indicated that Superscoring was both a statistically sound and ethically responsible way to report ACT results.

The Role of Access and Opportunity

Despite the fairness of the Superscore calculation itself, access to repeated testing remains a key issue. Students with more resources can generally afford to take the ACT multiple times, enroll in private test prep courses, and travel to testing centers if needed. This unequal access is a broader systemic problem, not caused by Superscoring, but made more visible by its existence.

To address this concern, ACT has introduced several initiatives aimed at reducing barriers:

1. Fee Waivers
   Eligible students can receive multiple ACT fee waivers, allowing them to take the test for free up to four times. This increases the chances for these students to build a competitive Superscore. 
2. Free Test Prep Resources
   The ACT provides online study tools and practice materials at no cost. These resources aim to level the playing field for students who cannot afford private tutoring or prep classes. 
3. Remote Testing Options
   Efforts to expand test access through online testing and remote proctoring help students in underserved or rural areas participate more easily. 

While these measures do not completely erase inequities, they reflect a commitment to making Superscoring and the ACT more accessible.

Addressing Misconceptions of Academic Inflation

The concern that superscoring inflates a student’s academic ability is based on the assumption that combining best scores from different test dates misrepresents overall performance. However, the reality is more nuanced.

A single Composite score reflects one particular test session—essentially a snapshot. But academic ability is not static. Students may be stronger in certain subjects or perform better depending on conditions like sleep, nutrition, stress, and familiarity with the test.

Superscoring acknowledges this by capturing the best sustained performance, not random highs. It doesn’t allow students to “game” the system; rather, it ensures that their capabilities in each subject are assessed fairly, especially when those abilities are demonstrated across different test dates.

In college, students are often given multiple opportunities to prove their understanding through midterms, finals, essays, and projects. The Superscore mimics this cumulative approach rather than reducing performance to a single moment.

The Impact on Student Mindset

An overlooked but important aspect of Superscoring is how it affects student motivation and psychology:

1. Reduced Pressure
   Knowing that one poor test section won’t drag down their entire result, students may feel less anxiety on test day. This can lead to better overall performance and a healthier testing experience. 
2. Focus on Mastery
   Students are more likely to adopt a growth mindset—seeing setbacks as opportunities for improvement—when they know that targeted preparation and retesting can improve their final score. 
3. Increased Confidence
   For students who struggle with consistency, Superscoring offers validation. It assures them that their best efforts in each area will be recognized, not dismissed due to isolated weaknesses. 

This approach encourages perseverance and long-term learning rather than short-term cramming or avoidance of subjects they find difficult.

Real-World Fairness in Admissions

Colleges and universities often use holistic admissions, meaning they evaluate applicants using multiple criteria beyond test scores. These include GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, leadership, personal statements, and recommendation letters. In this context, Superscoring serves as one additional data point—a way to highlight a student’s academic growth.

Admissions officers are trained to interpret scores in context. They understand the limitations and strengths of different scoring systems. A Superscore is not seen as deceptive; it is regarded as one valid method of reflecting a student’s learning and preparation.

More importantly, schools that accept Superscores do so with the understanding that it is fair, research-supported, and offers a more complete picture of student readiness. Colleges that do not accept Superscores are often transparent about their reasons, typically tied to internal policies rather than concerns about fairness or validity.

The ACT Superscore has proven to be an effective and fair method for evaluating student performance. While early concerns focused on access, score inflation, and test manipulation, research shows that Superscoring:

• More accurately predicts college success. 
• Maintains fairness across demographic groups. 
• Encourages academic improvement and a healthy student mindset. 

Access to multiple test attempts remains a challenge, but this is being addressed through fee waivers, free resources, and expanded testing options. Superscoring doesn’t misrepresent ability; it highlights the best version of a student’s effort and growth, aligning closely with how education should work.

Institutional Adoption and Strategic Use of Superscores

The Growing Adoption of Superscoring by Colleges

Since the official introduction of the ACT Superscore in 2021, many colleges and universities have adopted policies that either fully support Superscoring or consider it as part of a broader admissions strategy. These institutions recognize that Superscoring allows for a more complete and accurate representation of a student’s academic potential and growth.

There are several categories of college score policies:

1. Explicit Superscore Policy
   These schools publicly state on their admissions websites that they accept ACT Superscores. They typically encourage students to send multiple test scores so that the admissions office can evaluate the best combination of section scores. 
2. Self-Reported Superscores
   Some colleges allow students to calculate and report their Superscores on applications. These schools will verify the scores once students are admitted and choose to enroll, requiring official ACT documentation at that time. 
3. Composite Score Only
   A smaller group of schools prefers the highest Composite score from a single test attempt. They will not calculate or consider Superscores, even if the student provides multiple results. 
4. Test-Optional or Test-Flexible
   A growing number of institutions are test-optional or test-flexible, meaning students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores at all. In these cases, students who do submit scores may benefit from sending their Superscore if it enhances their application. 

Understanding which category each target college falls into is essential for students who want to use their Superscore to its full potential.

How to Check a School’s Score Use Policy

The most reliable way to find out whether a college accepts ACT Superscores is to check its official admissions website. Most schools publish clear information about standardized testing policies, including:

• Whether they accept Superscores. 
• Whether they require all test scores or allow score choice. 
• How they view standardized testing within the context of holistic admissions. 

If a school’s policy is unclear, students can also reach out directly to admissions offices for clarification. Admissions counselors are usually happy to explain how scores are reviewed.

Strategic Use of Superscoring in College Applications

Superscoring gives students greater control over how they present their academic record. It enables a more thoughtful, personalized application strategy based on test score performance across multiple attempts. Here are key ways students can use Superscoring to their advantage:

1. Focused Test Preparation
   Knowing that each section can be counted independently across test dates, students can tailor their prep efforts. After an initial test, they can identify weaker areas and focus study time accordingly. This allows for more efficient, subject-specific preparation. 
2. Optimized Testing Timeline
   Students can schedule ACT attempts with sufficient time between them to allow for meaningful study and improvement. A well-planned timeline might include two or three test dates spaced across junior and senior years, each with specific score improvement goals. 
3. Selective Score Reporting
   For schools that accept Superscores and allow score choice, students can send only the test dates that contribute to their best section scores. This keeps lower scores off the record and ensures colleges see the strongest possible academic profile. 
4. Merit-Based Scholarship Eligibility
   Many scholarship programs, especially those tied to public universities, have minimum ACT score requirements. Superscoring may help a student meet these thresholds even if no single Composite score qualifies. This can make a significant difference in financial aid packages. 
5. Test-Optional Alternatives
   For students applying to both test-optional and test-required schools, Superscoring provides a low-risk way to include testing in their application. If their Superscore is strong, it can be submitted to boost their application; if not, it can be omitted for test-optional schools. 

Common Questions About Sending Superscores

Do I need to request a Superscore, or is it automatic?
If you’ve taken the ACT more than once since September 2016, the ACT automatically generates a Superscore in your account. There’s no special request needed. However, it’s up to you to decide which scores to send to colleges.

How do I send my Superscore to colleges?
When you order score reports through your ACT account, you can choose to send either individual test dates or the Superscore. Make sure the college accepts Superscores before choosing this option.

Should I always send the Superscore if a school accepts it?
In most cases, yes. If your Superscore is higher than any individual Composite, and the school accepts it, sending it can only help. However, review each school’s specific policies to confirm.

Can I send both the Superscore and a high Composite score from a single sitting?
Yes, you can. Some students choose to send both if the Composite score is close to or higher than the Superscore. This allows colleges to view the student’s best one-day performance as well as their peak individual scores.

Institutional Trends and the Future of Superscoring

As more colleges update their admissions practices to reflect an emphasis on equity, growth, and a holistic view of applicants, Superscoring continues to gain acceptance. The trend is fueled by several factors:

1. Institutional Research
   Many colleges conduct their research and find that Superscores predict student success just as well, if not better, than traditional Composite scores. 
2. Aligning with SAT Policies
   The College Board, which administers the SAT, has supported superscoring for years. As such, many schools already apply the same policy to both tests for consistency. 
3. Admissions Philosophy
   Institutions that value improvement, resilience, and effort tend to favor Superscoring. It aligns with the broader movement toward considering the whole student, not just one performance snapshot. 
4. COVID-19 and Testing Disruptions
   The pandemic disrupted many students’ ability to take the ACT under normal circumstances. In response, colleges have become more flexible with testing policies, often adopting Superscoring or test-optional admissions to accommodate those challenges. 

The ACT Superscore provides students with a powerful opportunity to present their academic strengths in the best possible light. Its acceptance by an increasing number of colleges and universities shows a growing recognition that student performance can—and should—be measured in a way that values growth and consistency.

To make the most of the Superscore:

• Plan for multiple test attempts. 
• Focus prep efforts on weaker sections. 
• Keep track of which schools accept Superscores. 
• Choose scores to send based on each school’s policy. 

Superscoring isn’t a shortcut or loophole. It’s a tool that rewards hard work, perseverance, and long-term learning. For students who approach testing with strategy and purpose, it can be a key advantage in achieving college and scholarship goals.

Let me know if you’d like this entire 4-part guide formatted as a downloadable file or expanded into a checklist or planning guide for students.

Final Thoughts

The ACT Superscore represents a meaningful shift in how academic potential is evaluated through standardized testing. By focusing on a student’s best individual subject performances rather than limiting assessment to a single test day, it encourages growth, persistence, and a more accurate representation of ability.

This approach benefits students in several ways:

• It reduces test-day pressure, knowing that each subject can be improved over time and still contribute to a higher final score. 
• It supports strategic preparation, letting students focus their efforts on specific subjects instead of trying to achieve perfection across the board in one sitting. 
• It aligns with how real academic progress works, which is often gradual, uneven, and rooted in experience rather than instant perfection. 
• It increases opportunities for scholarships and admissions, especially in competitive environments where every point matters. 

At the same time, superscoring underscores the importance of equity and access. For students to truly benefit from this scoring model, they must have fair opportunities to take the ACT more than once. Continued efforts by the ACT and educational institutions, through fee waivers, accessible prep tools, and inclusive testing policie, —are essential to ensure that all students can take full advantage of this system.

As with any part of the college application process, Superscores should be used thoughtfully. They are one piece of a larger picture that includes GPA, coursework, essays, activities, and character. But for students who understand how to use them strategically, Superscores can play a crucial role in highlighting achievement and opening doors to higher education.

For the most effective results, students should:

• Stay informed about each college’s score-use policy. 
• Use their ACT account to monitor test performance and Superscore updates. 
• Prepare with long-term improvement in mind, not just short-term gains. 
• Communicate openly with admissions offices if they have questions about how scores will be reviewed. 

In the end, the Superscore is not just a new number—it’s a new way to tell your academic story. And for many students, it allows them to tell that story more completely and compellingly.