So, kid gets a 1450 SAT composite. 720 reasoning, 730 math. Not bad. Preps. preps, preps in reasoning only. Retakes SAT. Gets 1450 again! But this time, 800 math, 650 reasoning. Obviously his super score is awesome. But, one of his schools does not superscore. Oh oh… which set does he send in??? (Assume unwilling to take test again).
Important details, if need a fuller picture to make the call: seeking an engineering major at a non-tech school. Reasonable line up of ECs. High GPA (4.6W/3.95UW) from most rigorous schedule possible at HS.
What does the CC brain trust recommend?
If you have a student wanting to study STEM, I would definitely send in both even if a school won’t superscore.
I agree, send both scores even if the school doesn’t superscore. However, I’d also be encouraging him to give it one more shot in August, even if he doesn’t want to do any more prep, to see if he can bring the verbal score closer to the math score. Sometimes a particular test date ends up with a really crazy curve on one or more sections, so he may just have been unlucky with the verbal section on the most recent test date.
I’d send both. I had a friend way back when who had a similar experience. First time she took the SAT 750/750. She said she was done, but our (private) school said no she had to take them again. She got 790/710 the second time. I think an 800 always looks good. So just don’t worry about it. I think all schools superscore to some extent. They see both scores.
Let’s say sending both is not an option? Which is the better set to send in?
if you can only send 1, send the balanced score.
(And if he needs a strong math score, ace the math Subject Test.)
Why would sending both scores “not be an option”? Some schools do not even allow score choice and require sending scores for all test dates.
Because my real question was ‘which one was better?’ And maybe ‘why?’
As a test prep tutor, I would not recommend another SAT. It is just as likely, at that stage, that the score will go down. I have seen this happen, and it’s going to look worse if he then gets, as a real example from a student who refused to listen to advice, a 650 in math after previously scoring 800. He should try the ACT if he wants another test.
I agree, send the balanced score if only one is allowed. But ideally, send both.
Interesting input, thanks all!
I don’t even know why he retook after the 720 and 730. Those are fine scores. Is he applying to schools that value scores more than grades, extracurriculars, “character” etc. etc.?
Scores under 700 are more of a negative than 800 is as a positive in my view.
But sending all the scores does show what he is capable of for both tests.
I wouldn’t say the scores here are “wildly disparate” either 
Not wildly disparate - when you say that I’m expecting a huge jump like 300 points, which might cause College Board or schools to suspect cheating.
At that end of the scores curve, one set of scores puts him at around 50%ile for both reading and math for all of his target schools. The other, over 75%ile for math, way under 25%ile for reasoning. So %ile wise, the two sets are very different.
Everyone in my little circle of confused-moms-of-college-bound juniors had a different opinion/level of cynicism regarding this dilemma. It was a lively debate in the lacrosse game stands the other day. Was interested in what those who think about this way more/better than we do suggest.
I hadn’t seen this particular question come up here before (and I did a quick search but only found things which were more about triggering a ‘cheating’ flag). Apologies if this has been endlessly debated before and I missed it.
Before you drive yourself nuts…find out if the kid even has a choice. Many colleges require all scores be sent. And the school that doesn’t super score will simply use the better score.
I’d send them all.
I’d have him take the SAT II Math 2 and send that along with the balanced score.
Very few schools don’t superscore or otherwise consider the highest for each section – I can’t even think of who doesn’t superscore besides the UCs. I would report both test dates. Look carefully at each college’s requirements, on their websites. Many now even allow self-reporting the highest section scores in the Common App, to be followed much later by an official report only upon enrolling – those schools don’t even see the lower section scores. (And only a few schools still require all scores. A lot has changed over the past year or two!)
For the one school that doesn’t superscore, I’d still send both.