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If you’re applying to top colleges in the U.S., it’s essential to know which schools superscore SATs, as this policy can significantly improve your reported scores and admissions chances.
Most of the top 25 U.S. colleges and universities do superscore the SAT, meaning they consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates when reviewing your application. Notable schools that superscore include MIT, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, Duke, NYU, and Vanderbilt. However, Princeton and Harvard do not technically superscore, although they do consider your highest section scores. Meanwhile, UCLA and UC Berkeley do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all for admissions. Always check each school’s official testing policy, as superscoring rules can vary and may change.
Understanding which schools superscore SATs helps you build a smarter test-taking strategy and ensures you’re presenting your strongest possible application. Keep reading to see a full breakdown of superscore policies across the top 25 schools.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- What Is SAT Superscoring?
- Schools May Consider All Your Scores Even If They Superscore
- How Many Top Schools Accept SAT Superscores?
- Which Schools Superscore SATs in the Top 25?
- Which Schools Do Not Superscore SATs in the Top 25?
- Key Takeaways: Colleges That Superscore the SAT
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does Carnegie Mellon Superscore SATs?
- Does Columbia Superscore SATs?
- Does Duke Superscore SATs?
- Does Harvard Superscore SATs?
- Does Northwestern Superscore SATs?
- Does Notre Dame Superscore SATs?
- Does NYU Superscore SATs?
- Does Princeton Superscore SATs?
- Does Rice Superscore SATs?
- Does Stanford Superscore SATs?
- Does Vanderbilt Superscore SATs?
- What’s Next?
To start, let’s quickly review what exactly SAT superscores are.
What Is SAT Superscoring?
So, you may be wondering how to superscore your SAT. SAT superscoring is a process by which a college uses your highest submitted SAT math score plus your highest submitted reading and writing score — even if those 2 scores come from different test dates — to produce your SAT composite score (i.e., your total score). That composite score is called a “superscore.”
So, simply put, an SAT superscore is a composite score derived from your highest section scores on any SAT you’ve taken, provided you’ve submitted the scores from those test dates to schools. Also, since superscoring can be used to one’s advantage, students often take the exam multiple times to benefit from colleges that use a superscore for SAT admissions.
KEY FACT:
Colleges that superscore SATs use your highest submitted SAT math score plus your highest submitted reading and writing score to produce your composite score.
Schools May Consider All Your Scores Even If They Superscore
One thing to keep in mind is that although some college admissions offices may focus on your highest section scores, they might still take your other SAT scores into account, or at least be able to see them. On the other hand, admissions at some schools may not even see your lower scores if the school’s policy is to generate your superscore before the admissions office considers your application.
We’ll get into these various scenarios throughout this article. A key point to keep in mind is that colleges can superscore based only on the SAT scores you send to them. So, depending on how they superscore, you may want to send them only some of your scores, or you may be fine with sending them all of your scores. (Keep in mind that some schools require that you send all scores. You can learn more about the superscoring process and score choice in this article.)
KEY FACT:
At colleges that superscore SATs, admissions may or may not see your lower SAT scores, depending on the school’s testing policies.
How Many Top Schools Accept SAT Superscores?
You might now be wondering about the top schools that superscore the SAT. The good news is that many colleges and universities superscore SATs, including most top schools.
For example, all of the top 5 schools — Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale — superscore the SAT.
Princeton superscores only scores from “same-version” SATs. This means that they superscore using only digital SAT scores or only paper-and-pencil SAT scores.
Harvard “technically” superscores without fully stating it. Harvard states outright that it does not create superscores, and, in addition, says that its evaluation of SAT scores includes “noting the highest test scores in each section across test dates.” Of course, admissions officers are probably also “noting” your lowest scores! So again, your decision about which test dates to submit scores from is an important one.
That said, it’s worth pointing out that for Princeton and Harvard, your highest section scores will be of note to the college admissions office. And the other schools in the top 5 — MIT, Stanford, and Yale — all superscore.
So, it’s safe to say that if you plan to superscore your SAT, applying to SAT superscore schools can increase your admissions chances, as they combine your highest scores from multiple test sittings.
In fact, nearly all of the schools in the top 25 superscore the SAT, at least to some extent. Let’s discuss.
KEY FACT:
All of the top 5 schools — Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale — superscore the SAT.
Which Schools Superscore SATs in the Top 25?
As we just learned, even schools that look at your highest section scores don’t all superscore in the same way. So, although the overwhelming majority of schools in the top 25 superscore, it’s important that you research their exact policies on a school-by-school basis.
If you need a list of schools that use SAT superscore, you can research the standardized test requirements on the websites of your target schools. School websites generally contain pretty specific — and the most up-to-date — information about SAT superscoring policies.
Importantly, testing requirements often change. (For instance, many top schools went test-optional during the pandemic.) So, if a certain policy was in place when your older brother applied to a particular school, you can’t assume that the same policy will still be in place when you apply.
Of course, if you have questions about the superscoring policies you find on a school website or can’t find the information you need, don’t hesitate to contact the college admissions office by phone or email to get answers.
Remember, there is no universal rule about whether top schools superscore or how they superscore. Furthermore, many schools have different policies for the SAT and ACT. Some colleges that superscore the SAT do not superscore the ACT. Others superscore both (or neither).
TTP PRO TIP:
If you’re unclear about the SAT superscoring policy stated on a school’s website, reach out to the college admissions office for clarification.
All that said, since nearly all of the schools in the top 25 superscore to some extent, it’s instructive to look at which schools don’t superscore.
Which Schools Do Not Superscore SATs in the Top 25?
Now let’s discuss colleges that don’t superscore — or at least technically don’t superscore. We’ve already discussed Princeton and Harvard (#1 and #3 in the 2025 U.S. News rankings). They focus on or “note” your highest section scores, but don’t technically superscore, or they superscore only same-version SATs. So, they take all of your submitted SAT scores into account.
Some top 25 schools do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all for admissions. However, other top 25 (and non-top 25) schools are rethinking their pandemic-instituted test-optional policies and their policies on SAT superscoring. For example, #11-ranked Cornell is in a transition period concerning the submission of test scores. For 2025 applicants, Cornell is classified as a “test-recommended” school. However, in 2026, Cornell will require test scores from all applicants. The school will superscore, but recommends that applicants submit all scores.
Another example of a change in SAT superscoring policy is Carnegie Mellon, ranked #20. Previously, CM was test-optional and did not allow superscoring, but for students applying in 2025 and beyond, the school now “does allow superscoring of SAT test results.”
Regardless, we can see that even at the few schools that don’t superscore SAT (technically), you still have some options that allow you to be strategic with your SAT scores.
KEY FACT:
Princeton and Harvard are the only top 25 schools that accept SAT scores without superscoring, though both note your highest section scores across all test dates.
Top Schools That Do Not Consider Test Scores
Several schools in the top 25 do not consider test scores for admission. One of these is #19, UCLA, which unequivocally states: “UCLA will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes.”
We see that UCLA has taken a strong stance on SAT and ACT score submission. Additionally, #22, UC Berkeley — and all schools in the UC system — started phasing out the requirement for SAT and ACT scores in 2020.
Do note that only the public universities in California do not consider test scores. Consider #6-ranked Caltech, a private, independent institution that is reinstating its SAT requirement in Fall 2025 and will allow superscoring.
KEY FACT:
Schools in the University of California (UC) system do not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships.
Key Takeaways: Colleges That Superscore the SAT
- Colleges that superscore SATs use your highest submitted SAT math score plus your highest submitted reading and writing score to produce your composite score.
- Nearly all schools in the top 25 superscore the SAT, except for Princeton and Harvard, but these 2 schools still consider your highest section scores across all test dates.
- Two schools in the top 25 — UCLA and UC Berkeley — do not accept SAT or ACT scores.
- As of Fall 2025, Caltech has reinstated the requirement to submit test scores, and it will superscore SAT scores.
- Depending on their policies, admissions committees at colleges that superscore SATs may or may not see your lower SAT scores.
- It’s important to research the exact superscoring policies of each school you’re interested in applying to, as policies vary by school and can change from year to year.
- To find out which colleges superscore and to what extent, start by researching the requirements related to standardized tests on the individual websites of schools you’re interested in. If any questions remain, call or email the college admissions office.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Let’s look at the superscoring policies of some top 25 schools that students frequently ask about.
Does Carnegie Mellon Superscore SATs?
Even though it is test-optional, Carnegie Mellon does allow superscoring of SAT scores. You can learn more about Carnegie Mellon’s testing policies here.
Does Columbia Superscore SATs?
Yes, Columbia does superscore SATs. According to admissions, “Columbia accepts results from both paper and digital administrations, and tests will be superscored across paper and digital administrations if you have taken a single test in both formats.”
Does Duke Superscore SATs?
Duke is currently test-optional and does superscore SATs. Duke states that admissions “will consider the highest scores on each section of the SAT, regardless of the test date.”
Does Harvard Superscore SATs?
Harvard’s website states that the school does not create superscores for applicants. However, Harvard also states that the evaluation of test scores includes “noting the highest test scores in each section across test dates for the SAT.” Furthermore, Harvard allows students to use score choice and is currently test-optional.
Does Northwestern Superscore SATs?
Northwestern superscores both the SAT and ACT, and admissions views your highest scores only. The school states:
For students who take the SAT or ACT more than once, this means that our system will combine the highest section scores across multiple test dates and calculate a ‘superscore’ that will override the high score from a single sitting in our database. Applicants are not obligated to report scores from all test dates, though they are welcome to do so.
Does Notre Dame Superscore SATs?
Yes, Notre Dame superscores SATs. According to admissions:
If you submit multiple scores, we will superscore the tests for our evaluation. This means we will consider the highest composite score and highest scores on each section, regardless of test date.”
Does NYU Superscore SATs?
Yes, NYU currently superscores both the SAT and ACT.
Does Princeton Superscore SATs?
Yes, Princeton superscores SATs; however, they do not superscore between the paper test and the digital test. From admissions:
We allow applicants to use the score choice feature of the SAT and accept only the highest composite score of the ACT, but we encourage the submission of all test scores. Note: We do not superscore between the paper test and the digital test; you can only utilize score choice if the tests are in the same format.
Does Rice Superscore SATs?
Yes. Per admissions:
When reviewing SAT and ACT scores, we use the highest score from each section across all administrations. We encourage students to report all scores knowing that we will recombine the sections to get the best possible set of scores for each candidate.
Does Stanford Superscore SATs?
Yes, Stanford superscores the SAT. Note that Stanford requires test scores for admission, but does allow the use of score choice.
You can learn more about Stanford’s testing policies here.
Does Vanderbilt Superscore SATs?
Vanderbilt superscores both the SAT and ACT, and admissions views your highest scores only.
Note also that, per admissions, “If a student submits both ACT and SAT scores, Vanderbilt will consider the highest superscore from either the ACT or the SAT, whichever is best.”
What’s Next?
Now that you know which top colleges and universities superscore SATs, you may want to check out this article on what a good SAT score is for the Ivy League.
Also, get some expert tips to help you decide whether to retake the SAT here.
And if you’re looking for strategies to improve your SAT score, this guide to increasing your score can help.
