Submitting SAT and ACT Scores to Colleges: a Timely Guide

As application deadlines loom for colleges and universities, now is the time for students to make sure they have all their application materials in order, including their standardized test scores. Whether you’re submitting your SAT or ACT scores, the process can be more complicated than it first seems, and missing a step could delay your application or render it incomplete. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of submitting your scores.

Why Submitting Test Scores Matters Now

This time of year is particularly important for high school seniors applying to colleges, especially if you’re considering early decision or early action applications. Deadlines for these options are typically in November, meaning you need to ensure your SAT or ACT scores arrive at colleges before the cutoff dates. Even for students applying via regular decision, which generally has deadlines in January, submitting scores well ahead of time is crucial to avoid any last-minute issues.

For many colleges, standardized test scores still play an important role in the admissions process, even in a test-optional world. While not all students are required to submit scores, many applicants with strong results can boost their chances by sending them.

Understanding College Score Policies

It’s essential to check each school’s testing policy before submitting your scores. Colleges typically fall into one of three categories:

1. Test-Required: Some schools still mandate the submission of standardized test scores for all applicants.
2. Test-Optional: A growing number of colleges allows students to decide whether they want to include their test scores as part of the application. 
3. Test-Blind: A small but increasing number of schools won’t consider standardized test scores at all, even if you send them.

Research each school’s policy carefully to understand whether submitting scores will benefit your application. If a school is test-optional, look at the middle 50% score range of admitted students to help you decide if submitting your scores might strengthen your profile, or ask an independent college counselor or the counselor at your school.

How to Submit SAT Scores

1. Log into Your College Board Account: If you haven’t created an account yet, you’ll need to do so before submitting scores.
2. Navigate to the “Send SAT Scores” Section
3. Choose Which Scores to Send: The SAT’s Score Choice feature allows you to choose specific test dates to send, rather than sending every score from all your test attempts. However, some colleges require you to send all your scores, so be sure to check the policy of each school you’re applying to.

How to Submit ACT Scores

1. Log into Your MyACT Account: All your test scores are available here, just like with the SAT.
2. Select “Send Your Scores”: You’ll be prompted to choose which colleges you want your scores sent to.

Choose Test Dates: Like the SAT, you can choose specific test dates to send, and the ACT offers flexibility in deciding which scores you’d like schools to see.

Timing and Deadlines: Plan Ahead

While most schools have clear deadlines for submitting applications, the rules around when test scores need to be received can vary. Some colleges require test scores to be submitted by the application deadline, while others are more flexible, allowing scores to arrive slightly after the deadline as long as your application is in on time.

To avoid any issues:

• Submit your scores early: Test scores can take one to two weeks to be processed and sent, so give yourself plenty of buffer time.
• Check each school’s policy on score receipt: Schools may treat late test scores differently, especially for early decision or early action applicants.
• Consider rush reporting: If you’re close to a deadline and worried your scores won’t arrive in time, the College Board offers rush reporting options for an additional fee. Rush reports typically reach colleges within one to four business days, but again, check the specific policies of the schools you’re applying to.

Confirming Score Receipt

Once you’ve submitted your scores, your job isn’t done. It’s vital to confirm that the schools have received your scores:

• Most colleges provide an online portal where you can track the progress of your application. Log in and check if your scores have been marked as received.
• If the college doesn’t list your scores or the portal indicates they haven’t arrived yet, contact the admissions office to follow up.

Colleges receive thousands of applications, and missing documents or delays can happen, so being proactive is key.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While submitting your scores is a fairly straightforward process, there are a few pitfalls that can lead to issues:

• Waiting until the last minute: Procrastinating on submitting your scores can result in delays that cause your scores to arrive after deadlines.
• Selecting the wrong test date: Be careful when choosing which test dates to send, especially if you’ve taken the SAT or ACT multiple times. Double-check that you’re sending your strongest scores.
• Not confirming score receipt: Assume nothing is complete until you’ve verified that the college has received all elements of your application, including test scores.

Conclusion: Stay Organized, Stay Ahead

Submitting your SAT or ACT scores is a crucial part of your college application process. By checking each school’s policies, submitting scores early, and confirming their receipt, you can avoid last-minute stress and ensure your application is complete. With careful planning and attention to detail, you’ll set yourself up for success.