Official test score is a score report sent directly from the testing agency to the institution, as distinguished from a self-reported score on an application.
How it works
The applicant orders an official score report from the testing agency, designating the institution’s code. The agency transmits the score electronically. The admissions office matches the report to the application. If scores are required and the official report is missing, the application remains incomplete. Superscoring or use of the highest section scores follows institutional policy and is applied after official scores arrive.
Example: a graduate program requires official GRE scores. An applicant self-reports 155 Verbal and 158 Quantitative. The admissions office waits for the official electronic report from ETS before making a final decision. Once the official scores arrive and match, the file is complete.
How it differs
A placement test is administered by the institution for course-level assignment and is not an admissions test. Self-reported scores are entered by the applicant and are unofficial. An official transcript documents coursework, not standardized-test results.
Common errors
Assuming self-reported scores are sufficient for a final admission decision when official scores are required. Sending scores to the wrong institution code. Forgetting that score reports can take several days to arrive after ordering.
References
- 1. Testing-agency score-reporting practicesOfficial versus self-reported scores
- 2. Institutional score requirementsWhen official scores are required
Official test score is a score report sent directly from the testing agency to the institution, as distinguished from a self-reported score on an application.