What Is An ACT Superscore

A Superscore is a sort of cherry-picking option. If a student has taken more than one ACT test, they can pick their best scores from each of the four subjects and combine them all into a composite Superscore. This way, only their best results can be considered together. Here is an example of how a Superscore gets made. 

Say on TEST 1, I scored a 26 on Math, 24 on Science, 27 on English, and a 30 on Reading. Then on TEST 2, I scored a 28 on Math, 27 on Science, 31 on English, and a 26 on Reading. The Superscore would draw from both of these tests, building a new score of the best scoring for each subject. It would look like the following: Math 28, Science 27, English 31, Reading 30. 

Thus, the Superscore option displays one’s best work. In this blog, I will go over the incentive that colleges have to Superscore and whether all colleges accept ACT Superscores. I will then go over some basic preparation advice for the ACT and applying to colleges.

Do All Colleges Allow For The Submission Of Superscores? 

This simple answer is no. Superscoring is not universally accepted across all colleges and universities. Some colleges only accept the score of one ACT test the student took. But why do some colleges offer Superscoring, then, and not all?

Why Do Some Colleges Allow For Superscoring?

Superscoring can reflect positively on the institution’s overall student-body statistics. If it is the case that those students you are admitting are able to Superscore, then you are likely to have a higher average ACT score across the entirety of that admitted student body. This is good for university rankings as they reflect better on potential student outcomes.

What Institutions Allow For The Submission Of An ACT Superscore as of 2023?

The following list includes most colleges which allow for students who are applying to use a Superscore for the ACT. However, you should always check the admissions requirements prior to applying (even if the university is on the list). If you’re wondering about colleges that Superscore the SAT, check out this article.

1. Albion College
2. Amherst College
3. Auburn University at Montgomery
4. Austin College
5. Babson College
6. Baylor University
7. Bates
8. Beloit College
9. Bowdoin
10. Brandeis
11. Bryn Mawr College
12. Butler
13. Claremont McKenna College
14. Colby
15. College of the Holy Cross
16. Colorado College
17. Columbia University
18. Connecticut College
19. Cornell
20. Davidson College
21. Denison
22. DePaul University
23. Dickinson College
24. Drexel
25. Duke
26. Duquesne University
27. Eckerd College
28. Elon University
29. Georgia Tech
30. Grinnell College
31. Hamilton COllege
32. Harvey Mudd
33. Haverford College
34. Hawai’i Pacific University
35. Hendrix College
36. Hollins University 
37. Indiana University Bloomington
38. Ithaca College
39. Johns Hopkins
40. Kalamazoo College
41. Kenyon College
42. Kettering University
43. Lafayette College
44. Lawrence University
45. Lehigh University
46. Loyola University Maryland
47. Miami University
48. Middlebury College
49. MIT
50. Millsaps College
51. NYU
52. Northeastern
53. North Carolina State University
54. Olin College
55. Pitzer
56. Pomona College
57. Purdue
58. Regis
59. Rhode Island School of Design
60. Rochester Institute of Technology
61. Saint Mary’s College
62. Seattle University
63. Seton Hall University
64. Spring Hill College
65. Stanford
66. Syracuse
67. Texas Christian University
68. Towson University
69. Trinity College
70. Trinity University
71. Troy University
72. Tufts University
73. University of Alabama
74. University of Arkansas
75. University of Chicago
76. University of Colorado, Boulder
77. University of Connecticut
78. University of Dayton
79. University of Delaware
80. University of Denver
81. University of Georgia
82. University of Maryland
83. University of Mary Washington
84. UMass Amherst
85. University of Miami
86. University of North Alabama
87. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
88. University of North Texas
89. University of Pennsylvania
90. University of Pittsburgh
91. University of puget Sound
92. University of Rhode Island 
93. University of Rochester
94. University of South Florida
95. University of Tampa
96. University of Tennessee
97. University of Vermont
98. University of Virginia
99. University of Washington
100. Vanderbilt University
101.       Valparaiso University
102. Vassar College
103. Villanova University
104. Virginia Commonwealth University
105. Virginia Tech
106. Wake Forest University
107. Washington and Lee University
108. Wesleyan University
109. Western Michigan University
110.       West Point US Military Academy
111.       West Virginia University
112.       Wheaton College
113.       Williams College
114.       Xavier University

Tips For Applying To Colleges that Superscore The ACT

If you are applying to an academic institution, whether it be a college or university, and you wish to apply somewhere that takes a Superscore, then there are several steps that you can take to ensure that you have the best chances of admission. Here are some tips:

1. Research: Now, if you are set on using an ACT superscore in order to apply for admission into some particular educational institution, then it is important that you pick institutions that will accept a Superscore. The list I have provided in this blog serves as a rough guide to those institutions, but, just as all other things in life, the list is subject to change. When you pick a prospective university, one should examine their admissions requirements page to see if they accept an ACT Superscore.
2. Practicing For The ACT: If you are depending on a Superscore for meeting that requirement of admissions, then it is best that you get the highest score possible. What are the best ways to ensure you are putting in the necessary time and effort into getting the best possible score? Practicing the relevant material. It would be wise to take practice ACT exams frequently so that you familiarize yourself with both the mechanics and the content of the text. It would be even better to organize a meeting with a tutor, such as those we offer at SoFlo, so you can pinpoint weak areas and bring them to light through guided practice. Finally, you should learn hacks, tips, and strategies to ace each section.
3. Make Yourself A Well-Rounded Candidate For Admissions: If you are going to submit a Superscore to the college admissions team, that is all good and merry. If it gives you the best chance at getting in, then I encourage you to do so. However, you should not rely solely on a good Superscore (or any Superscore) as the only thing that will guarantee you admission. It is unlikely that you will be admitted based on a good Superscore alone. It is important to make yourself well-rounded, to have a good college essay (which our tutors can help you with as well), good grades on your transcript, and to develop all other items that are necessary for satisfying admission requirements.

SoFlo Tutors: Your Assistants In Obtaining The Highest ACT Scores

Are you ready to begin your preparations for the ACT and get the highest score you dream of? Then, check out our team of talented tutors here at SoFlo for expert help in getting the practice, and preparations, you need. All of our tutors attend high-ranking universities within the United States, and have familiarized themselves with the content of the SAT.

Our tutors will work with you to identify and improve your weaknesses on particular sections of the ACT to help improve your understanding and comfort with the material to get you a higher score than ever before! We know your time is valuable, that’s why our tutors work around your schedule whether it be after school, or before, we will find an availability that works for you! Check out our tutoring services here to book a session.

About The Author

Dahlia is a graduate of Florida State University earning a B.S. in both philosophy and psychology. In her free time she enjoys filmmaking and photography, backpacking, and cycling.