Registering for the SAT is a crucial step in your academic journey. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the online SAT registration process, including fees and important considerations.
You can register for the SAT online or by mail. The standard registration fee is $60. You’ll need a photo ID for verification on test day. Due to cancellation fees, choose your test date and location carefully.
Many U.S. colleges use SAT or ACT scores, along with essays and transcripts, to evaluate applicants. Some institutions require the SAT or ACT for admission.
Your SAT test date depends on your schedule, target score, and commitments. Students often take the test multiple times to achieve a higher score. Understanding the registration process and associated fees is essential.
Online registration is the faster, easier, and more common method. If online registration isn’t possible, you can register by mail. However, you must request a registration booklet from the College Board or your school counselor.
Some circumstances may require mail registration, such as when payment is only possible by cash or check. Eligible students can also request special accommodations from the College Board. Accommodation requests must be approved before registering for the SAT.
The standard SAT fee is $60, but fee waivers are available for low-income students. Register on time to avoid late fees. Here’s a summary of SAT registration fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| SAT Registration Fee | $60 |
| Test Center Change | $25 |
| Registration Cancellation | $25 |
| Late Registration Cancellation | $35 |
| Late Registration | $30 |
To register online, create a College Board account. It’s best to do this on a personal computer to maintain login access. If using a public computer, ensure a secure connection. Use a strong password and record it. You’ll use this account to view SAT scores and register for future tests.
After creating your account, begin the SAT registration process. Log in, access the SAT suite, and navigate to the College Board’s SAT registration page. Click “Register Now.” To see available test dates, scroll down for the next three deadlines.
Next, enter your personal information. Have a digital photo or copy of your ID ready. These documents are required for identity verification on test day. You may also need to provide information like GPA, academic interests, and household income.
Use the SAT test center search tool to find test dates and locations by zip code. You can also search by state, city, and distance. Many students test at their school if possible. Testing at your high school can ease test-day anxiety due to familiarity with the environment. If their school isn’t an option, students often choose the most convenient location. After finding a suitable date and location, click “Register for the SAT.”
Now, upload your photo. On test day, the SAT administrator will compare your uploaded photo with your photo ID for security. Your uploaded photo must meet these requirements: Both eyes must be clearly visible; The photo can only include you (the test taker); The photo must be clear and in focus; No digital alterations, such as filters, are allowed; Your head must be uncovered, except for religious purposes.
Near the end of registration, you can add optional services like the Question-and-Answer Service for $16 and/or SAT Study Guide for $29.99. The “Question-and-Answer Service” allows post-test answer review. This also lets you see the difficulty level of each question, though it doesn’t affect your final SAT score. Its primary purpose is to help you prepare for future tests. The SAT Study Guide is essentially a study guide. It’s often best to find a high-quality, less expensive SAT prep guide online. Your local library may also have free study guides.
The final step is to review and confirm your order, then pay the $60 SAT registration fee. Ensure all information matches your ID, especially your name. You can use an SAT fee waiver if you have one. Low-income 11th or 12th-grade students may be eligible for a fee waiver. Contact your high school counselor for more information. Students can cancel their SAT registration, but deadlines and fees apply. Cancel through your online College Board account. Access your SAT account and select the registration to cancel. Then, from the menu, choose “Cancel Registration.” While technically a full refund, there’s a $25 cancellation fee before the deadline and $35 after.
Each SAT test date has a late registration deadline. The late registration and regular cancellation deadline is typically 10 days before the test. After the late registration deadline, it’s officially too late to register for that test date. However, you can view other available dates. In the U.S., the SAT is administered seven times a year. The College Board website lists the testing schedule so you can plan ahead. Registering for the SAT costs $60, and the late registration fee is $30. So, in total, it will cost $90 to register late for the SAT. Late registration with a fee waiver is permitted without the additional fee.
