The SAT exam or the Scholastic Assessment Test is a standardized test where the scores are primarily used for college admission purposes across the United States. However, many universities and academic institutions outside the US also accept SAT scores as part of their admission process like Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and some schools in Europe and Asia. Sometimes, employers in these countries may also use SAT scores as a hiring criterion. But it is always a good idea to check with the school’s policies before taking the exam because the requirements may differ from country to country and from institution to institution.
There are no strict eligibility criteria for taking the exam but the candidate should have completed high school coursework with relevant subjects like English and Math. The exam is designed to measure the student’s readiness for college-level work.
The exam consists of four sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math (with a calculator), and Math (without a calculator). Math questions are from geometry, algebra, and trigonometry, and include both multiple-choice and grid-in questions. The Reading section also consists of multiple-type questions taken from passages from literature, social studies, and science. The Writing and Language section will assess your ability to draw deductions, make interpretations, and edit written passages. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800.
There is an optional essay section where the candidate is required to construct an argument and is scored on a scale of 2-8.
SAT is both a paper-pen and computer-based test. You are allotted 3 hours to complete the exam without the essay section. If you opt to write the essay, however, you will be allotted 50 extra minutes.
There is no restriction to the number of attempts; students can take the SAT multiple times, and typically the colleges consider the highest scores. There are no minimum grades or Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements for taking the exam, but it is important to bear in mind that each college or university will have its own minimum score requirements for admission, and they may also consider factors such as extracurricular activities (throughout school), letters of recommendation, essays, or anything that will lend weight to your student profile and application.
When Can You Appear For the SAT? Cost of the Exam?
The College Board is the organization that administers SAT. It sets specific dates for the exam several times a year. In the US, there are typically seven SAT dates offered in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. If you are from overseas, you may please check the College Board website for specific test dates in your region.
The cost of the test will again depend on the country and the region from where you are appearing for the exam. The cost of the exam in the US is currently $55 for the standard SAT exam and $70 for the SAT exam with the optional essay. The test cost could differ for international students and those who demonstrate financial need.
There could be revisions to the test fee if you change the test center, register late, or add the essay section at the last minute. Always check the College Board website for the latest information regarding the registration process, deadlines, and test cost.
How Can You Register For SAT?
Follow the steps outlined below to register for the SAT.
- First, create an account as a student in your name on the College Board website. Provide details like your name, address, and high school.
- Next, choose a test date and location as per your preference and convenience. There are multiple test dates that are mostly held on Saturdays.
- Now pay the registration fee online. As mentioned earlier, the cost will differ from country to country and from region to region. In the US, a standard SAT will cost you $55; however, if you are interested in attempting the optional essay section, you will need to pay $70. The cost will be different for international candidates and those who are financially challenged (as there will be fee waivers for them).
- You must upload your most recent picture. This will be used as your admission ticket.
- Carefully review your inputs in the registration form before submitting it. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from the College Board informing you about the test date, time, and location.
Please remember to register well in advance to secure a seat and to have sufficient time in hand for preparation for the exam.
Who to Contact for SAT Registration?
Visit the College Board website or contact them directly for any assistance that you may need regarding the SAT registration process, exam fees, payments, test date/center changes, and other inquiries.
The College Board’s customer service team can be reached by phone at 1-866-756-7346 (domestic), or +1-212-713-7789 (international). Customer service is available to answer queries from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. Higher ed professionals can write to hedreports@collegeboard.org.
Alternatively, you can submit an online support request form on their website. The College Board’s Help Center provides answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also take guidance and assistance from your high school counselor/advisor with SAT registration.
How to Check SAT Scores?
The College Board typically releases SAT score results within 2 to 4 weeks after the exam date. To check your SAT scores, do the following.
- Log in to your College Board account with your credentials like username and password.
- View your scores on your dashboard. Click on the “View Score Details” option to see a breakdown of your scores for individual sections (Reading, Writing and Language, and Math), and total scores.
- You can then choose to send your SAT scores to your preferred colleges and universities directly from your College Board account. The scores can be sent for free to up to four colleges or universities as long as you do it within 9 days of taking the exam.
For any disputes regarding the exam scoresheet, you may connect with the College Board’s customer support team for assistance at the phone numbers mentioned earlier, or via their online help center.
