SAT Registration 2025–2026 — How to Register, Deadlines, and Fees
SAT registration for 2025–2026 is completed online through College Board at collegeboard.org. To register, you need a College Board account, a recent photo, and payment of the $68 SAT registration fee (fee waivers are available for eligible students). SAT test dates for 2025–2026 include August, October, November, December, March, May, and June — each with a registration deadline approximately 4–5 weeks before test day. Late registration (additional $34 fee) closes about 2 weeks before the test date. This guide covers how to register for the SAT step-by-step, 2025–2026 test dates and deadlines, SAT fees and fee waivers, and what to do if you miss a registration deadline.
How to Register for the SAT — Step by Step
SAT registration is entirely online through College Board. Here is the full registration process.
Step 1 — Create or log in to your College Board account: Go to collegeboard.org and create a free account if you do not have one. You will use this same account for SAT registration, score viewing, and sending scores to colleges. If you already have a College Board account (used for AP exams, PSAT, or a previous SAT), log in with your existing credentials.
Step 2 — Start your SAT registration: From your College Board dashboard, select 'Register for the SAT.' You will be prompted to choose your test date and test center location. Test centers are typically high schools and community centers near you — College Board shows available centers by zip code.
Step 3 — Upload your photo: College Board requires a photo for test day identification. The photo must be recent, show your full face clearly against a plain background, and meet specific size requirements. Upload a digital photo during registration — it is printed on your admission ticket. Photo requirements are strict; an incorrect photo can prevent you from testing.
Step 4 — Choose your test date and center: Select from available test dates. Not all test centers are available on all dates — popular urban centers fill up quickly. If your preferred center is full, select the next closest available center. You can change your test center before the deadline at no charge.
Step 5 — Pay registration fees: Pay the registration fee ($68 for the SAT) by credit card, debit card, or fee waiver. If you qualify for a fee waiver (see below), select that option during checkout — your school counselor must have provided you with a fee waiver code or letter. There is no registration fee for fee waiver students.
Step 6 — Confirm and print your admission ticket: After payment, your registration is confirmed. Print your admission ticket approximately one week before test day. You must bring your printed admission ticket and an acceptable photo ID to the test center on test day — digital admission tickets on your phone are NOT accepted.
SAT Registration 2025–2026 at a Glance
- SAT base fee: $68 (standard registration)
- Late registration: $34 additional fee
- Score sending: 4 free score sends at registration; $13/each after
- Regular deadline: ~4–5 weeks before test date
- Late registration: ~2 weeks before test date (+$34)
- Changes/cancellations: By regular deadline: free; late: $29
- Fall 2025: August, October, November, December
- Spring 2026: March, May, June
- School day SAT: Additional dates through schools
- Who qualifies: 11th/12th graders meeting income criteria
- Benefits: Free SAT, 4 free score sends, college app fee waivers
- How to get: Through your high school counselor
SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines 2025–2026
College Board offers SAT test dates approximately every 6 weeks throughout the school year. Registration deadlines fall 4–5 weeks before each test date. Late registration closes about 2 weeks before the test date for an additional $34 fee.
SAT test dates 2025–2026 (approximate — verify at collegeboard.org):
- August 23, 2025: Registration deadline ~July 25, 2025 | Late deadline ~August 8, 2025
- October 4, 2025: Registration deadline ~September 5, 2025 | Late deadline ~September 19, 2025
- November 1, 2025: Registration deadline ~October 3, 2025 | Late deadline ~October 17, 2025
- December 6, 2025: Registration deadline ~November 7, 2025 | Late deadline ~November 21, 2025
- March 14, 2026: Registration deadline ~February 13, 2026 | Late deadline ~February 27, 2026
- May 2, 2026: Registration deadline ~April 3, 2026 | Late deadline ~April 17, 2026
- June 6, 2026: Registration deadline ~May 8, 2026 | Late deadline ~May 22, 2026
Important: Always verify current test dates and deadlines at collegeboard.org — College Board occasionally adjusts dates and deadlines, and this guide may not reflect the most recent schedule updates.
School Day SAT: Many school districts administer the SAT to all students during the school day — often in the spring for 11th graders. School Day SAT testing is free and handled through your school. If your district participates, check with your school counselor rather than registering independently at collegeboard.org.
Which test date to choose: For college applicants, aim to take the SAT in the spring of junior year (March or May) for a first attempt, leaving time for a fall senior year retake if needed. December of junior year is also a good first date for students who want scores before college application deadlines in January. Most colleges accept scores from any test date, including June of senior year, but verify application deadlines at each college you are applying to.
Start preparing now with our SAT practice test and explore the full SAT practice tests library to build your readiness before registration.
SAT Fees — Registration, Late Fees, and Score Sends
Here is a breakdown of all SAT fees for 2025–2026.
Registration fees:
- SAT (standard): $68
- Late registration surcharge: $34 additional (closes ~2 weeks before test day)
- Waitlist (standby testing): $56 additional — allows you to show up at a test center on test day and test if seats are available; not guaranteed
Changes and cancellations:
- Test date or center change (by regular deadline): Free
- Test date or center change (late — after regular deadline): $29
- Cancellation (by regular deadline): Partial refund — registration fee minus $10 processing fee
Score sending fees:
- 4 free score sends: At the time of registration, you can designate up to 4 colleges to receive your scores for free
- Additional score sends: $13 per college after the initial 4
- Rush reporting: $31 additional for expedited score delivery
Score choice: College Board's Score Choice lets you select which SAT scores (from which test dates) to send to colleges. Most colleges have their own score policies — many accept Score Choice, some require all scores. Check each college's score policy before deciding what to send.
SAT Registration Checklist
Create a College Board account at collegeboard.org — use an email address you check regularly, as all SAT communications (admission ticket, scores, deadline reminders) come via email Check if your school administers the School Day SAT to all students — if yes, talk to your counselor before registering independently Choose your test date based on your college application timeline — spring of junior year (March or May) is ideal for most students, leaving room for a fall retake Prepare your registration photo before starting — College Board has specific photo requirements; ensure your photo is recent, high-quality, and shows your full face against a plain background Check if you qualify for a SAT fee waiver through your school counselor — fee waivers are available to qualifying 11th and 12th graders and include free registration plus additional benefits Register by the regular deadline (~4–5 weeks before test day) to avoid the $34 late fee and to have your choice of test centers After registration, designate up to 4 colleges for free score sends — this is the only opportunity to send scores for free; additional sends cost $13 each Print your admission ticket approximately one week before test day — you must bring a printed ticket to the test center; phone/digital tickets are not accepted Bring an acceptable photo ID to the test center: government-issued photo ID, school-issued ID with photo, or official letter from your school confirming your identity Arrive at the test center by the check-in time on your admission ticket — test centers begin closing doors at 8:00 AM and late arrivals are typically not admitted SAT Fee Waivers — Who Qualifies and How to Apply
SAT fee waivers are available to eligible students and cover the full registration fee — making the SAT completely free. Fee waivers are distributed through high schools, not directly by College Board.
Who qualifies for an SAT fee waiver:
- 11th or 12th grade students enrolled in a US school
- Students who receive free or reduced-price school lunch under the National School Lunch Program
- Students whose family income meets federal free/reduced lunch guidelines
- Students enrolled in federal aid programs (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or similar)
- Students in foster care, homeless, or wards of the state
SAT fee waiver benefits: A College Board fee waiver does more than cover SAT registration. Fee waiver recipients also receive: 4 additional free score sends beyond the standard 4 (8 total free sends), access to college application fee waivers at many colleges, and free access to Khan Academy's Official SAT Prep program. The college application fee waivers can save hundreds of dollars when applying to multiple colleges.
How to get a fee waiver: Talk to your school counselor. Counselors receive fee waiver codes from College Board and distribute them to eligible students. You cannot apply directly to College Board for a fee waiver — it must come through your school. If you believe you qualify, ask your counselor at the start of junior year.
After SAT Registration — What Happens Next
After completing registration, here is what to expect.
Admission ticket: Your admission ticket is available on your College Board account approximately one week before test day. Print it — you cannot test without it. The ticket shows your test center address, reporting time, and your registration photo.
Score release: Digital SAT scores are released approximately 2 weeks after each test date. You receive an email notification when scores are ready. Log in to your College Board account to view your scores — they are not emailed directly.
SAT superscoring: Many colleges superscore the SAT — they take your highest section scores across multiple test dates and combine them into a composite score. If your school's target colleges superscore, taking the SAT multiple times can only help your application. Check each college's superscoring policy individually.
SAT Registration Questions and Answers
How do I register for the SAT?
Register for the SAT online at collegeboard.org. Create a free College Board account, then select 'Register for the SAT' from your dashboard. You will choose your test date and test center, upload a registration photo, and pay the $68 registration fee. Registration must be completed by the deadline — approximately 4–5 weeks before each test date. Late registration (additional $34 fee) is available until about 2 weeks before test day. After registering, print your admission ticket from your College Board account approximately one week before test day.
How much does it cost to register for the SAT?
The SAT registration fee is $68. Late registration (after the regular deadline but before the late deadline) adds a $34 surcharge, making the total $102. Waitlist (standby) testing on test day adds $56. Students who qualify for a fee waiver can register for free — fee waivers are distributed through high school counselors and also include 4 additional free score sends and college application fee waivers. The 4 free score sends at registration time are included in the base fee; additional score sends cost $13 each.
When do SAT registrations open for 2025–2026?
SAT registration for each test date typically opens several months in advance. For the 2025–2026 school year, registration for fall dates (August, October, November, December) generally opens in the spring and summer of 2025. Spring test date registration (March, May, June) typically opens in fall 2025. College Board does not announce an official 'registration opens' date — check collegeboard.org at the start of each semester for currently open test dates. Test centers fill up, so registering early increases your chances of getting your preferred location.
What happens if you miss the SAT registration deadline?
If you miss the regular registration deadline, you can still register during the late registration window (approximately 2 weeks before the test date) for an additional $34 fee. If you miss the late registration deadline entirely, you have two options: register for a future test date, or attempt standby testing ($56 additional fee) by showing up at a test center on test day — standby is not guaranteed and depends on available seats. Missing all deadlines means registering for the next available test date. Plan early to avoid surcharges — popular test dates and centers fill up weeks before the regular deadline.
How many times can you take the SAT?
College Board does not limit how many times you can take the SAT. Most students take the SAT 2–3 times, with the most common pattern being a spring junior year first attempt and a fall senior year retake. Each attempt requires a separate registration and fee. Since many colleges superscore the SAT (combining your highest section scores across all test dates), retaking the SAT can only improve your composite score at superscoring schools. There is no penalty for taking the SAT multiple times under College Board's policies, though some highly selective colleges ask for all scores — check each college's score reporting policy.