ACT score choice: which test dates should you send?

ACT lets you choose which test dates to send to colleges, so you are not forced to share a sitting that does not represent you. You select score reports by test date, and you can also send your superscore. That control is a gift, as long as you know your colleges' rules before you click send.

What "score choice" actually means

Score choice means you decide which whole test dates a college sees. You are not handing over your entire testing history by default; you pick the date or dates you want to send. What you cannot do by hand is mix sections from different dates into one report. That section-by-section combining is exactly what a superscore does for you automatically, which we explain in how ACT superscoring works.

The most important step: check the college's policy

Before you send anything, find out how each college wants scores. Schools generally fall into these groups:

• Send your best: many schools let you send only your strongest test date or your superscore.
• Superscore-friendly: some recalculate your best sections across dates, so sending the relevant dates helps them build it.
• All scores required: a smaller number ask you to submit every ACT test date. If a school requires this, honor it.

These policies are set by each college and can change, so verify on the official admissions or testing page rather than assuming.

So which dates should you send?

For most students applying to schools that allow it, here is a simple way to decide:

• If they superscore: send your superscore, plus any test dates the school needs to build it. Every section best gets to count.
• If they take your best single test: send the one date with your highest Composite.
• If they require all scores: send them all, and trust that admissions readers expect to see improvement across attempts.

A few practical tips

• Because each report typically has a cost, decide your list of schools and dates before sending to avoid paying for ones you do not need.
• A lower early score rarely hurts you at schools that take your best, so do not panic about one rough test date.
• Keep your goals in view. If you are still deciding whether to retake, see how many times you should take the ACT.

Test-optional schools change the math

If a college is test-optional, sending scores is itself a choice. Read should you submit your ACT score to test-optional colleges to decide whether your scores help your application at all before you worry about which dates to send.

The bottom line

You control which test dates colleges see. Learn each school's policy first, then send your best date or your superscore where allowed, and send everything where required. A few minutes of checking saves you money and protects your strongest results.

This article offers general ACT prep guidance. The ACT can change from year to year, including its format, scoring, policies, test dates, and fees, so always confirm the latest details on the official ACT website at act.org before you make decisions. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. thirty-six is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT.