About SAT Registration

SAT Registration Procedure

Advance registration is required to take the SAT and can be completed online, by phone, or by mail. Most test-takers register online through the College Board, as the registration service is free and takes less than 30 minutes. Photo submission is required as part of registration, and the College Board provides helpful examples of acceptable photos, as well as photots that will not be accepted, on their website.

Available Dates and Test Centers

While the SAT is offered at many U.S. high schools on what is known as “SAT School Day,” the exam can also be taken at approved test centers. The SAT is currently offered seven (7) times per year in the United States: August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. International testing dates are similar, but we encourage you to spend time familiarizing yourself with these dates and checking them regularly, as they are subject to change. 

Test dates typically fall on Saturdays, but for students with religious conflicts, Sunday testing is usually available the day after a Saturday administration. Students can use the College Board website to search for the test center closest to them. While the SAT is a digital test taken on a computer, it cannot be taken at home with a remote proctor like some standardized tests, which means students must take it either at school or an approved test center.

Registration Fees

As of August 23rd, 2025, registering to take the SAT costs $68 for students in the United States. For those students outside of the United States, registration costs $68 plus an associated regional fee which ranges from $43-$53. All additional fees are the same for students testing inside or outside of the United States.

Changing the test center where the SAT will be taken costs $34. Some test centers may charge an additional $24 location fee. Canceling the exam costs $34. Late canceling the exam costs $44, and late registration costs $38. If a student wishes to order more than the four score reports included with the cost of registration, each additional report costs $15. Rushed score reports cost $31. Receiving scores by phone costs $15 per call. Receiving archived scores costs $35, and score verification costs $55. 

In some cases, fee waivers are available to 11th and 12th graders in the United States and U.S. territories who meet one of the following critera:

  • The student is enrolled in or eligble to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program
  • The student comes from a family whose income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
  • The student is enrolled in a program at the federal, state, or local level that aids students from low-income families
  • The student's family receives public assistance
  • The student is homeless, lives in federally subsidized public housing, or lives in a foster home
  • The student is a ward of the state or an orphan

Citizens of the United States living internationally may also be eligible for fee waivers, as well, and should check with their local testing center or school guidance counselor for the most current information and requirements. 

Privacy Policies for Registration Data

According to the College Board's SAT registration privacy policy, personally identifiable information is used to provide educational services, score exams, and connect students with colleges and scholarships. While the information collected at the time of registration may be shared with participating colleges, universities, and organizations offering financial aid, the College Board states that they do not sell student data. 

Students have the right to manage their personal information, and the information they share can be contolled through the Student Search Service, a way for students to be contacted with information about admissions and financial assistance opportunities. The College Board uses secure data handling methods to protect students' personal information, which may include SSL encryption for transactions. The full privacy policy is available for viewing on the College Board's website.

Policies for California Test-Takers

The state of California maintains strict regulation and oversight of testing entities, although other states in the U.S. are beginning to pass similar data privacy laws. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, California students taking the SAT must be provided with a statement informing them of their right to keep their personal data private. The statement affirms that the College Board will not share personal data for direct marketing purposes without the student's explicit consent. If a student chooses to allow their personal information to be shared, he or she has a right to know how their information will be used, and consent may be rescinded at any time. 

International SAT Registration Policies

International SAT registration policies and student privacy rights are specific to individual countries, and students should educate themselves based on the country in which they are taking the SAT. All students taking the SAT in a country where they do not possess citizenship must use their passport for admission to a test center, but identification requirements for non-U.S. citizens taking the SAT in their country of origin varies considerably. These policies can be found on the College Board's website, which also informs students of any additional rights or responsibilities they might have. 

For example, countries that are part of the European Union tend to have stonger protections in place for personal data than the United States, including the right to access and correct personal data. We recommend that students spend time familiarizing themselves with the registration policies specific to the country and state, if applicable, where they will be taking the SAT, in addition to regularly checking the College Board website to be aware of any changes that have been or are expected to be made regarding taking the SAT.