SAT Prep – Test Day

SAT Test Day

The SAT is offered seven times per year, in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. For most students, the test is given on Saturdays (often the first Saturday of the month). Exceptions are made for the following reasons:

  • Students have religious objections to taking the test on a Saturday. In those cases, the SAT will be offered on the Sunday immediately following the official Saturday test dates (documentation from a house of worship must be provided).
  • Students with disabilities who are receiving certain accommodations on the SAT may be required to take the test on a weekday during the school week.

The registration deadline for each administration of the SAT is usually a month or so before test day, although late registration is only available online through the College Board. Late registration deadlines are usually about ten days prior to the test date. Photo identification and an admission ticket must be presented when students arrive at the testing center. Additional requirements may apply to students taking the SAT outside of the United States. The College Board website lists all country-specific policies with respect to available test dates, acceptable identification, and other registration issues, and should be referred to frequently.

Arriving Prepared on Test Day

A great deal of stress on test day can be alleviated by arriving at the test center with all of the necessary materials. According to the College Board, students are to bring the following with them to the test center on the day of their exam:

  • Photo identification (must be a physical document, not electronic)
  • Admission ticket from the Bluebook app (a printed ticket is preferred and can be accessed and printed starting five days before the exam)
  • A fully charged personal or school-managed Windows or Mac laptop or tablet, or a school-managed Chromebook on which to take the SAT with the Bluebook app installed and the exam setup complete
  • Pencils or pens for scratch work
  • College Board username and password
  • Acceptable calculator if the student does not wish to use embedded calculator

If a student does not have a laptop or tablet and cannot borrow one, they will need to request a device from the College Board. This must be done at least 30 days before their scheduled exam and requires an adult reference (e.g., a teacher, counselor, or adviser). Submitting a request is no guarantee of being loaned a device, but if a request is approved, students must arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes before their scheduled exam to set up the borrowed device.

Students are advised to pack their materials the night before the test to ensure they are not searching for items the next morning and putting themselves at risk of being late to the testing center. It is also important for students to ensure an adequate amount of sleep the night before the test. While some students may feel too anxious to eat a large breakfast the morning of the test, proper nutrition is important and likely to have a positive effect on performance.

Items Allowed at the Test Center

Students may wish to bring the following items to the test center:

  • A wristwatch (with any audible alarms set to silent mode)
  • A charging cable or portable charger
  • A bag or backpack (this will be stored under the student’s chair or in a locker)
  • Snacks and drinks (these will be stored in a locker or other space not directly in the testing room and may be accessed during the 10-minute break)

If a student is bringing their own calculator, they should ensure ahead of time that it meets the College Board's criteria for approval. Approved calculators must be stand-alone devices without internet access, typewriter keypads, stylus input, camera function, or external power sources. A list of acceptable calculator brands and models, which includes most graphing calculators and scientific calculators, can be found on the College Board website.

Test Center Rules and Regulations

Students may not share information or testing equipment with other test-takers. Cell phones, electronic devices (aside from calculators), and textbooks are prohibited while taking the test. Students are not allowed to leave the test center building before the end of the test's administration, and specific areas are designated for breaks during the test. Violations of test center policies generally result in dismissal and cancellation of scores.

Test Center Closings

Test centers sometimes close due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, general emergencies, power outages, or other unusual situations. In these cases, the College Board website will refer students to another testing site if time permits. In the event of a test center closing as a result of a last-minute issue, the College Board will arrange a makeup test date as quickly as possible, and if necessary, provide an alternate location. Students who are affected by a change in test location must sign into their College Board accounts and print out a new admission ticket, which will display the new testing site information. Students who have been waitlisted for a specific test date are not eligible for makeup tests and must sign up for a new test date.

Test Day Chronology 

Testing centers open at 7:45 am, and at this time students must present their identification and admission ticket. Admission generally closes at 8 am, and late students will not be admitted, forcing them to register for another testing date and pay registration fees again. Seating for the test is then assigned, and the test itself commences between 8:30 and 9 am. Test supervisors or proctors provide instructions before the exam begins. Students will receive one 10-minute break. Test proctors will collect all materials at the conclusion of the test and let students know when they are permitted to leave.

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