Go to collegeboard.org and register for a free account. You'll use this account to register, access scores, and send results to colleges — keep your login credentials saved.
The SAT is offered 7 times per year in the U.S. International test-takers in Dubai and India have separate test windows — confirm available dates on the College Board site early, as centers fill fast.
Enter your personal details, high school information, GPA, and intended major. Accuracy matters — this data ties directly to your score reports and college matches generated by College Board.
Your photo must meet College Board's ID requirements: recent, clear, head-and-shoulders shot against a plain background. It prints on your admission ticket and is verified at the test center.
The standard U.S. fee is $68. International fees — including for students applying for the SAT exam in Dubai or India — vary by region and may include additional testing center surcharges. Fee waivers are available for eligible U.S. students.
Log in to your College Board account to download your admission ticket once it's available. Print it — you cannot enter the test center without it. Bring it alongside a valid, acceptable photo ID on test day.
SAT scores are typically released 2–3 weeks after your test date. Log in to your College Board account to view your score report, section breakdowns, and send results to up to 4 colleges for free.
The Math section tests algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and advanced math across two modules. One module is calculator-permitted; the other is not. Questions are adaptive — your performance on Module 1 determines the difficulty level of Module 2.
The ERW section combines reading comprehension with grammar and expression across two adaptive modules. It tests your ability to analyze passages, understand command of evidence, and apply standard English conventions. Subscores in Reading & Writing help colleges identify specific skill strengths.
College Board defines benchmark scores as 530 in ERW and 530 in Math. A student meeting both benchmarks has an approximately 75% chance of earning a C or better in a corresponding first-year college course. Falling below benchmark does not disqualify you from admission but signals areas where additional preparation may be needed.
Percentile rankings show how your score compares to all other SAT test-takers. A 1200 or above places you in the top 25% nationally; a 1400 or above places you in the top 5%. College Board publishes annual percentile tables — check the April 24 SAT exam score release date results against the current year's table for the most accurate comparison.
To send SAT scores through College Board, log in to your account at collegeboard.org, navigate to "My SAT," and select "Send Score Reports." You can choose which test date(s) to include and designate up to four free score sends during registration — these must be selected within nine days after your test. Additional score reports cost $13 each and are delivered electronically to colleges within 2–5 business days. See also: khan academy SAT prep.
College Board typically delivers SAT score reports to colleges within 2–5 business days of your request when sent electronically, which is the standard method for most institutions. Free score sends designated during the registration window arrive around the same time your scores are released to you. Paper score reports take longer and are rarely used today. See also: what is a good SAT score.
College Board generally begins releasing SAT scores around 8:00 AM Eastern Time on the official score release date, though scores may continue rolling out throughout the day as processing completes. Score release dates are posted on the College Board website and typically fall 2–4 weeks after test day. You will receive an email notification when your scores are available in your account. See also: how long is the SAT.
After you request a score send, College Board delivers SAT scores to colleges electronically within 2–5 business days. If you used a free score send designated before the 9-day post-test deadline, delivery aligns with your official score release date. Scores sent to schools requiring paper reports may take up to two weeks to arrive.
Log in to your College Board account, go to "My SAT," and click "Send Score Reports" to choose your recipient colleges and which test dates to include. Every SAT registration includes four free score sends; after the free window closes, each additional report costs $13. You can use Score Choice to select which sitting(s) to share, unless a college requires all scores.