I have been getting a lot of questions about the SAT and whether or not colleges will take the highest scores in each category and combine them into one. Well, that is a great question and the short answer is: It depends on the college.

Let me add to that question...

If a student does REALLY good in one section on one test, and then REALLY bad on that section in a later test...does that reflect poorly on the student?

Colleges know that it only takes one instance of "misnumbering" (filling in the answer for 3 in the spot for 4, which will put the answer that belongs in 4 into 5's spot and so on) to destroy an SAT score. Because of this and other factors most colleges will take the best score in each category from all of your tests and combine them into one all-star score.

Will all colleges be this cool about it? No, but most will and it is always better to be safe than sorry. Check with the admissions office at the college you are interested in and they can let you know what their policy is on SAT/ACT scores.

What is the new writing section graded on?