Everything about SAT registration and retakes

To register for the SAT, create a College Board account at the My SAT Dashboard, pick one of the seven annual test dates (August–June), pay the $68 fee, and choose up to four colleges to receive your scores for free. You can retake the SAT exam as many times as you want (most students take it twice), and many colleges superscore across attempts. This guide walks through the registration steps, what to bring on test day, cancellation policies, and the most common retake questions.

Background on the SAT

Developed and administered by the College Board, the SAT is a computer-based test with this structure:

• 98 questions, including both multiple-choice and student-produced responses
• A total testing time of two hours and 14 minutes
• Two main sections: Reading & Writing, and Math

Admissions officers review SAT scores alongside GPA, the rigor of your coursework, recommendation letters, extracurricular involvement, and personal essays to make holistic decisions.

How to register for the SAT

The SAT is administered between August and June during seven months each year:

• August
• September
• October
• November
• December
• March
• May
• June

The SAT is always administered on Saturdays. Students who cannot test that day for religious or other reasons can sign up for the Sunday immediately after the official test date. The College Board’s dates and deadlines page has the most up-to-date information.

Register online through the My SAT Dashboard, and be sure to check registration deadlines in advance to avoid late fees. From there, you can:

1. Create a College Board account
2. Explore SAT testing locations near you
3. Choose a test date
4. Enter your high school information and code (970000 for homeschoolers)
5. Select up to four colleges or scholarship programs to receive your scores for free
6. Opt into the Student Search Service to share information with scholarships and colleges across the country

Before you start, have the following ready:

• A digital photo that meets the College Board’s requirements
• A list of prospective colleges and scholarship programs
• A credit or debit card to pay the $68 fee, or fee waiver information if applicable
• Any information required for accommodations, such as evidence of an IEP. Accommodations must be requested in advance.

To take the SAT, you will also need an approved electronic device (a Windows or Mac laptop, iPad, or school-managed Chromebook) with the Bluebook testing application installed and signed in to your College Board account.

Within 5 days of the exam, your test ticket will be available in the Bluebook application. You can’t take the SAT remotely at home, so you’ll need to bring your own device to a physical testing site.

After test day, you have up to nine days to adjust the list of colleges set to receive your scores automatically. SAT scores are typically released about two weeks after your test date, and sometimes sooner. Additional score reports cost $15 each.

Note: If you don’t have your own laptop, request one from your school or borrow a device from the College Board. You must request the device at least 30 days before your test day.

SAT cancellation policies

You can cancel your SAT registration directly through your My SAT account. Cancellations submitted by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET before the test date qualify for a partial refund:

• Cancellations made before the change deadline: $34 cancellation fee
• Cancellations made after the change deadline but by Thursday before test day: $44 cancellation fee

If you cancel and later decide to take the exam on the same date, you’ll need to register again.

What to bring to the SAT

On the day of the SAT, knowing exactly what to bring to the testing center can make for a less stressful experience. Prepare the following:

• Your fully charged device with the Bluebook application properly installed
• Your printed or digital admission ticket (a printed copy is preferred)
• A valid, physical photo ID (electronic IDs are not accepted)
• Pencils or pens for scratchwork and notes
• An approved calculator for the Math section, or just use the built-in Desmos calculator in Bluebook

Also recommended: a wristwatch (no alarms), bottled water, and a charging cable for your device. Practicing with your testing device and approved equipment beforehand will help you adapt to the SAT’s digital format on test day.

Important: These guidelines apply to students testing independently on weekends. Many schools also host SAT School Day administrations, sometimes at no cost. If you’re taking the SAT at school, registration is handled by your school rather than the College Board. Check with your school for any unique requirements.

The SAT format

Understanding the SAT format is one of the most effective starting points for any study plan. As of 2024, the digital SAT has completely replaced the paper-based version, reflecting broader trends in standardized testing.

The digital SAT is divided into two sections: Reading & Writing and Math. Most questions are multiple-choice; the Math section also includes student-produced response (grid-in) questions.

Reading & Writing assesses:

• Vocabulary in context
• Reading comprehension
• Grammar and punctuation
• Sentence structure
• Rhetorical synthesis
• Transitions and organization
• Interpreting graphs and tables in context

Math measures proficiency in:

• Algebra concepts
• Advanced math topics, including quadratics and exponents
• Problem-solving and data analysis
• Geometry and trigonometry

A short break is provided between the two primary sections.

Additional FAQs

How can I get an SAT fee waiver?

SAT fee waivers can be requested directly from the College Board. They are available to students who:

• Are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Have a family annual income within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• Are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program for students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs like Upward Bound)
• Are part of a family that receives public assistance
• Are unhoused or live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home
• Are a ward of the state or an orphan

Submit your waiver request at least two weeks before the registration deadline; earlier is better.

Is there a deadline to register for the SAT?

Yes, each SAT date has its own registration deadline, usually about two weeks before the test day. Late registration is allowed for about a week after the regular deadline for an additional $38 fee. After that, you can’t sign up for that test date. Test dates usually fall in late August, mid-September, and early October, as well as in November, December, March, May, and June.

Can you cancel your SAT appointment or your scores?

Yes. The fee to cancel by the late registration and change deadline is $34; after that date, it’s $44. You can also change your test center for $34. New appointments require a cancellation and re-registration.

After test day, scores can be canceled no later than 11:59 p.m. ET one week after the test date. Canceled scores will not be reported to colleges and cannot be reinstated.

Can you retake the SAT?

Yes: students can take the SAT as many times as they want. Many test-takers take it at least twice, since familiarity with the format often leads to higher scores on later attempts. It’s also common for colleges to superscore, combining your highest section scores from different test dates.

SAT retakes are also available after high school, which is helpful for students taking a gap year or returning to school later. While colleges receive official score reports, some can see how many times you’ve taken the SAT, depending on their policy.

How many times can you take the SAT?

There’s no limit. In most cases, you can select which scores to send to each school, allowing you to share only your best results. The main considerations are cost, timing, and whether the colleges you’re applying to see all attempts. A small number of schools only accept your most recent scores, which means you couldn’t share an earlier, higher score.

Can colleges see how many times you take the SAT?

Most colleges don’t have access to the total number of times you’ve taken the SAT. There are exceptions: some schools, like Georgetown University, require applicants to submit complete score reports.

Some counselors suggest that taking the SAT more than three or four times may draw additional scrutiny at a small number of schools, though there’s no official limit. Check each school’s policy before deciding how many times to test, and remember that some schools only consider your most recent scores.

Is the SAT all multiple choice?

The SAT is almost entirely multiple-choice. About 25% of Math questions are student-produced responses, where you calculate the answer and type it into the testing application. Double-check your work on these: there are no answer choices to catch a mistake.

What time does the SAT start?

The SAT is administered in the morning, with the official start time typically between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Test-takers are generally checked in by 7:45 a.m., and test center doors usually close around 8:00 a.m. The test itself takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, but with check-in and the break, plan for about 3 hours at the center. Most students finish by 11:00 a.m.; students with extended-time accommodations may continue until noon or 1:00 p.m.

Plan to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before the door-closing time to allow for traffic or other delays. If you’ve arranged to borrow a digital device from the College Board, allow extra time for equipment pickup. Always review your official admission ticket for specific instructions on arrival time and entry procedures.

What grade do you take the SAT?

Most students take the SAT in their junior year, typically in the spring. Some take it as early as sophomore year if they plan to graduate early, and others take it in the fall of senior year, ahead of application deadlines.

Can you take the SAT after high school?

Yes: there’s no age limit, so students can take the SAT after graduation if they’re taking a gap year or delaying college enrollment. Requirements vary by institution, so verify admissions policies before registering as a continuing student. Many continuing education and adult learner programs waive standardized test requirements for older applicants.

Final takeaways

The SAT is a critical step in U.S. college admissions. While universities use a holistic review, strong SAT scores remain a key factor in acceptance decisions, especially for selective or specialized programs. Knowing how to register and which policies apply can help reduce headaches.

Taking the SAT is challenging enough on its own. Registering early and keeping your schedule organized can make at least one piece of the admissions puzzle easier.