Which Schools Superscore SATs: Top 25 Schools

Last Updated on October 29, 2026

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, Caltech, Columbia, Duke, and Vanderbilt. However, Harvard does not formally superscore, although it notes your highest section scores across test dates. Princeton superscores only SATs taken in the same format. 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?
  • Top Schools That Do Not Consider Test Scores
• 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, five of the six schools in the top 5 superscore the SAT: MIT, Princeton, Yale, Caltech, and Stanford (Caltech and Stanford are tied at #5). Harvard is the exception, though it still notes your highest section scores across test dates.

Princeton superscores the SAT but does not combine paper and digital SAT scores. Because the SAT has been fully digital in the U.S. since spring 2024, this restriction will rarely affect current applicants. Princeton does not superscore the ACT; it considers your highest single ACT composite.

Harvard states outright that it does not create superscores, but it also says that its evaluation of SAT scores includes “noting the highest test scores in each section across test dates.” Of course, admissions officers can also see your lower scores from any test dates you submit. Because Harvard allows Score Choice, choose carefully which test dates to send.

In short, at every school in the top 5, your highest section scores matter to admissions.

At schools that superscore, retaking the SAT carries less risk. If your Math score improves on one test date and your Reading and Writing score improves on another, the school can combine those best section scores into one composite score.
In fact, nearly all of the schools in the top 25 superscore the SAT, at least to some extent. Let’s discuss.

KEY FACT:

Five of the six schools in the top 5 (MIT, Princeton, Yale, Caltech, and Stanford) superscore the SAT. Harvard does not create superscores, but it notes your highest section scores across test dates.

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 that superscore only with limits. We’ve already discussed Princeton and Harvard (#2 and #3 in the 2027 U.S. News rankings). Harvard notes your highest section scores but doesn’t create a superscore, and Princeton superscores only same-format SATs. Because admissions at both schools can see every score you submit, choose carefully which test dates to send.

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, #14-ranked Cornell, which was test-optional during the pandemic, now requires SAT or ACT scores from all applicants seeking fall 2026 enrollment and beyond. The school superscores, but it recommends that applicants submit all scores. Princeton, Columbia, and Notre Dame will also require SAT or ACT scores starting with the 2027–28 admissions cycle (for fall 2028 enrollment), and Vanderbilt will require scores from applicants for fall 2029 enrollment.

Another example of a policy change is Carnegie Mellon, which is tied with Cornell at #14. CMU was test-optional during the pandemic, but starting with fall 2026 applicants, its School of Computer Science requires the SAT or ACT. Most of its other colleges require scores under a “test flexible” policy that also accepts AP, IB, and similar exams, and only the College of Fine Arts remains test-optional. CMU superscores the SAT.

Regardless, even at Harvard, which doesn’t formally superscore, you still have some options that allow you to be strategic with your SAT scores.

KEY FACT:

Harvard is the only top 25 school that says it does not create SAT superscores, though it notes 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 UCLA, tied at #20, which unequivocally states: “UCLA will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes.”

Additionally, UC Berkeley (also tied at #20) and the other UC campuses no longer use SAT or ACT scores in admissions. The UC system dropped its testing requirement in 2020. The system is now reviewing this policy, and UC faculty are expected to send the UC Board of Regents a recommendation on testing by June 2027. Any change will not affect students applying for fall 2027 entry.

Do note that within the top 25, only the two UC campuses do not consider test scores. Consider Caltech, tied at #5, a private, independent institution that reinstated its SAT/ACT requirement starting with students who enrolled in fall 2025 and that allows 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. Harvard is the exception, though it still notes your highest section scores across all test dates.
• Two schools in the top 25 — UCLA and UC Berkeley — do not consider SAT or ACT scores, although the UC system is reviewing this policy.
• Caltech has required test scores again since its fall 2025 entering class, and it superscores the SAT.
• 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 schools that students frequently ask about.

Does Carnegie Mellon Superscore SATs?

Yes, Carnegie Mellon superscores the SAT. Note that CMU now requires test scores for most programs. Its School of Computer Science requires the SAT or ACT, most of its other colleges accept the SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and similar exams under a test-flexible policy, and its College of Fine Arts remains test-optional. 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.” Columbia is test-optional for the 2026–27 admissions cycle, but it will require SAT or ACT scores beginning with the 2027–28 cycle (for fall 2028 enrollment).

Does Duke Superscore SATs?

Duke is test-optional for the 2026–27 admissions cycle and does superscore SATs. Duke states that admissions “will consider the highest scores on each section of the SAT, regardless of the test date.” Duke has not yet announced its testing policy for the 2027–28 admissions cycle. 

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. Note that Harvard is not test-optional: it requires SAT or ACT scores from applicants.

Does Northwestern Superscore SATs?

Northwestern superscores both the SAT and ACT, and admissions views your highest scores only.

Does Notre Dame Superscore SATs?

Yes, Notre Dame superscores SATs.

Does NYU Superscore SATs?

Yes, NYU superscores both the SAT and ACT. Note that NYU, tied at #31 in the 2027 U.S. News rankings, falls just outside the top 25 and is test-optional.

Does Princeton Superscore SATs?

Yes, Princeton superscores SATs; however, it does not superscore between the paper test and the digital test. Princeton is test-optional for the 2026–27 admissions cycle, but it will require SAT or ACT scores beginning with the 2027–28 cycle (for fall 2028 enrollment).

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.

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.