College of My Choice

Beginning with the Class of 2010, students will have several options for releasing SAT and Subject Test scores to colleges. This new option, labeled Score Choice by the Collegeboard, was designed to give students more flexibility when reporting scores to colleges. Unfortunately, the new policy is quite complicated and will require additional research by students and parents as to which test reporting option would be appropriate for each college.

Let me try to summarize:

Old Policy: Any test report sent to colleges would report ALL SCORES (including both SAT and Subject Tests scores). Students were unable to "hide" scores from colleges.

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New Policy: Students now must choose among FIVE options when sending scores. Colleges, not students, will determine which option must be submitted to complete the application. Also, Subject Test scores are no longer automatically sent with SAT scores. Note: Some schools still require ALL SCORES be sent, thereby losing the benefits of Score Choice (see below).

Highest Section (V-1):
Colleges will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates that you submit. In other words, you would want to select test dates that would give you the highest possible combined test score. You could also select which Subject Test scores to be sent, effectively "hiding" lower scores.

Highest Section (V-2):
Very similar to Highest Section V-1. The only difference seems to be that each time you submit new scores to a college, admissions will update your record with any new high scores.

Single Highest Test Date (V-1):
Colleges will consider SAT scores from your single highest test date. You may, however, send additional scores if you want. Very few schools list this option.

Single Highest Test Date (V-2):
Very similar to Single Highest Test Date V-1. The only difference seems to be that each time you submit new scores, the college will automatically update your record with any new high scores. Very few schools list this option.

*All Scores Required:
Colleges consider ALL scores in its review process and requires you submit all scores from all SAT test dates. I am still unsure whether the score reporting option will allow students to separate SAT scores from Subject Test scores under this option. So, for now, just assume that colleges that select ALL SCORES reporting option will see all SAT and Subject Test scores.

So far, the following colleges or programs require that ALL scores be sent?

Barnard Carnegie Mellon colgate Columbia Cooper Union Georgetown Harvey Mudd Howard Johns Hopkins

Macalester Mills NCAA Eligibility NYU Pomona Rice Saint Mary's (CA) Skidmore University of Miami

Stanford Temple Texas A&M Tufts U-Penn Puget Sound Univ. of Washington Yale

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find out which test reporting option a college will require?
Very good question. In planning your testing schedule, I recommend that students do some research. The best source that I have found is the Collegeboard’s website. Type "SAT Score Use Practices by Participating Institution" into your web browser. And click on the Collegeboard's report and print the PDF file and file. This will give you an easy resource to come back to as you progress in the college admissions process.

Which reporting option do the UC and CSU system require?
If you are applying to the University of California, you will need to submit ALL scores. The California State system has opted for Highest Section V-2.

Can I select certain section of an SAT but not other sections?
Scores from an entire SAT test are sent—scores of individual sections from different test dates cannot be selected independently for sending.

Does the new Score Choice policy mean that a student can take the SAT as many times as I would like?
No. Most likely, at least one or two of the colleges that a student will apply to requires ALL scores be sent. College rarely prefer to see a student taking the SAT more than 2-3 times. Also, taking a Real SAT as a diagnostic test, for this reason, is also a bad idea.

Why did the Collegeboard change its test reporting policy and why is it so complicated now?
Believe it or not, the Collegeboard changed to Score Choice to reduce student stress in the testing process! Unfortunately, to appease some colleges that did not want students to "hide" scores, the Collegeboard created a rather cumbersome reporting process (in my opinion). In the end, if navigated well, the new system may be helpful in the admissions process for some students.

So are you changing any of your preparation as a result of this Score Choice.
Not really. The only difference is that I am recommending that students set up an individual session time with me to cover the score reporting process at the beginning of the Senior Year before submitting any SAT or Subject Test Scores.