Thank you for your comments and I appreciate your clarification on the reporting of SAT test scores. Since colleges typically use the highest score from each section, I presented this information in an overlysimplistic way. The point I was making is that students need not fear a penalty for taking the SAT multiple times.

Here is the text from the CollegeBoard FAQ section: Do you report only the best scores? If you decide to use Score Choice, the College Board will not release scores to colleges and universities for admissions purposes without your consent. If you do not use Score Choice, all of your scores will be sent to your chosen institutions and programs. Most colleges only look at your highest scores, so you should feel comfortable sending all of them.

I reviewed several college admission sites of schools to which our students frequently apply, and they had these comments about how they view SAT scores:

University of Virginia
It has been the Office of Admission’s long standing policy to consider the best scores submitted by applicants. We hope you will submit all of your SAT scores knowing that we will look at the best critical reading, best math, and best writing scores (commonly known as “super scoring”). http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/apply.html

George Mason University:
From a GMU admissions officer on his blog: I don’t really have any problem with the policy, but you should know two things. First, it’s unlikely to make ANY difference to your admission. As I’ve written many times, colleges and universities will use your best scores, and use the best portions from different sittings (so English section from one time, Math from another, to get your best total score).
http://notjustadmissions.com/2008/12/30/sat-score-choice-policy-new-fun-same-stress/

James Madison University:
If I take the required test more than once, which results will you consider?
The Admissions Committee uses your highest math and verbal scores from any test administration in reviewing your application for admission.
http://www.jmu.edu/admissions/questions.shtml>

William and Mary:
What are your SAT and ACT requirements?
W&M requires freshman applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. If both sets of scores are submitted, we will only use the higher score. For the SAT, we will use the best score on the math section, the best score on the critical reading section and the writing section regardless of the number of times the test is taken. For the ACT test, we will use the best composite score. Some students score better on the SAT, while others score better on the ACT; therefore, we encourage students to take both tests.  William & Mary does honor the College Board’s Score Choice.
https://www.wm.edu/admission/undergraduateadmission/faqs/testing/index.php

Sincerely,
Nancy Martin

More information about the differences between the SAT and the ACT may be found in Top-Tier Tutoring’s podcast, “ACT versus SAT – What’s Best For You” at http://toptiertutoringmedia.com/act-versus-sat-whats-best-for-you.

Sincerely,
Mike Rivera, co-founder of Top-Tier Tutoring in West Orange, NJ