ACT Superscore Calculator
Maximize your college admissions potential. Combine your highest section scores from different test dates to find your ACT Superscore.
Test Date 1
Enter your scores (1-36)
Test Date 2
Enter your scores (1-36)
Your ACT Superscore
Best Sections Used
The Ultimate Guide to ACT Superscoring
Taking the ACT multiple times is a common strategy, but understanding how colleges view those multiple attempts is crucial. ACT Superscoring is a policy used by many universities where they consider only your highest section scores across all the dates you took the exam. Instead of looking at a single "Composite Score" from one sitting, they recalculate a new, "Super" Composite using your best English, Math, Reading, and Science scores. Our ACT Superscore Calculator does this math for you instantly to reveal your true potential.
How Superscoring Works
It takes the pressure off any single test day. You can focus on one subject at a time.
- Example Student:
- April Test: Math: 30, Science: 24 (Composite: 27)
- June Test: Math: 26, Science: 32 (Composite: 27)
- The Result: The college takes the 30 Math (from April) and 32 Science (from June) to create a new Superscore that is significantly higher than 27.
- The Formula: (Best English + Best Math + Best Reading + Best Science) ÷ 4. Round to the nearest whole number.
Do Colleges Accept It?
Yes! The vast majority of competitive US colleges now superscore the ACT.
- Ivy League: Most (e.g., Columbia, UPenn) superscore.
- Top Publics: UNC Chapel Hill, UVa, Georgia Tech all superscore.
- Exceptions: Some state university systems sometimes only look at single sittings. Always check the specific "Admissions > Standardized Testing" page of the college website.
3 Superscore Strategies
1. The "Split Focus" Method
If you have a solid composite score but want to boost it, pick just TWO sections to study for your next attempt (e.g., Math and Science). Don't worry if your Reading score drops on the second try; the college will simply ignore the lower Reading score and keep the higher one from your first try.
2. Don't Ignore the Composite
While superscoring is great, a massive disparity (e.g., a 36 English and a 15 Math) still looks odd. Try to keep your "low" sections respectable (at least within 5-6 points of your high sections) to show you are a well-rounded student.
3. Send All Scores
To get a superscore, you usually have to send the official score reports from ALL the relevant test dates. This can get expensive ($18+ per report), so budget accordingly. Common App will ask you to self-report your highest section scores, but you'll usually verify them later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the ACT Essay count?
No. The Writing (Essay) score is reported separately and does not affect your 1-36 Composite or Superscore. Many colleges have stopped requiring the essay altogether.
Can I superscore the SAT and ACT together?
No. You cannot mix a Math score from the SAT with a Science score from the ACT. You get a "Super SAT" and a "Super ACT" separately.
What is a good Superscore improvement?
Most students see a 1-2 point increase in their composite score through superscoring. That 2-point bump can be the difference between admitted and waitlisted at diverse schools.
Does ACT.org calculate it for me?
Yes! ACT now provides an automatically calculated Superscore on your official score report if you have taken the test more than once. They send this "Super" report to colleges for you.
Is there a limit to how many times I can test?
Technically, you can take the ACT 12 times. However, taking it more than 3 or 4 times usually yields diminishing returns and can look obsessive to admissions officers.