How much does the SAT cost?
How much does the SAT cost?
$60 SAT registration fee
SAT registration cost & additional fees
Taking the SAT costs $60 for registration alone. Changing your testing center or canceling costs $25. Receiving scores online or by mail is free, but a Q&A report showing the correct answer and the difficulty level of each question costs $16.
Some students qualify for fee waivers, which cover most of the costs associated with the SAT.
| SAT fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | $60 |
| Late registration fee | $30 |
| Change test center | $25 |
| Cancellation fee | $25 |
| Late cancellation fee | $35 |
| International fee | $43 |
SAT score reports & service costs
Getting your SAT scores online or by mail for yourself is free. Sending up to 4 reports to colleges is free as long as you order the reports within 9 days of taking the test. After then, they're $12 each.
| Service type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Receive scores online | $0 | Free of charge |
| Receive scores by mail | $0 | Free but takes longer than online |
| Additional score reports | $12 per report | First 4 are free if ordered within 9 days of the test |
| Rush reports | $31 per report | Sent within 1 to 4 business days |
| Get scores by phone | $15 per call | Paid at the time of the call |
| Archived scores | $31 | Scores are archived a year after graduation |
| Hand score verification | $55 | Best for scores that are much different than expected |
| SAT Question-and-Answer Service | $16 | Correct answers for each question, free with a fee waiver |
| SAT Student Answer Service | $16 | Brief version of Q&A service, free with fee waiver |
SAT fee waiver
An SAT fee waiver is available to low-income students in the 11th or 12th grade. This waiver covers the registration fee, late fees, cancellation fees, and answer services. You may be eligible if:
You live in the U.S. or you're a U.S. citizen living abroad.
You're in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
You're in a low-income government assistance program.
You're homeless or in foster care.
You're an orphan or ward of the state.
You're homeschooled and meet any of the above requirements.
If you think you're eligible, talk to a local high school counselor for help getting a waiver.
How to minimize your SAT exam costs
You can minimize your SAT costs by following these steps:
Take the test early to avoid paying for a rush order. Try to take it at least 4 weeks before you need to submit your scores.
Register early to avoid a late-registration fee and make sure you get the date and location you want.
Use your 4 free score reports instead of waiting and paying for them later.
Apply for a fee waiver if possible.
Study or get a tutor to make sure you get a high score the first time to avoid paying to take the test again.
SAT tutoring cost
SAT tutoring costs $45 to $100 per hour, depending on your location and the tutor's experience level. Tutoring can help strengthen any weaknesses you may have and help you get a higher score. Many tutors include a free consultation before lessons start to decide which subjects to focus on.
FAQs about the SAT test
What is an SAT test?
The SAT test is an exam used by colleges to decide which students to accept. "SAT" originally stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test and later for Scholastic Assessment Test. Today, SAT is the actual name of the test and the acronym no longer stands for anything.
The SAT covers three main subjects: reading, writing, and math. The SAT is not an IQ test, although the two do overlap quite a bit.
Is the SAT test worth the price?
Many colleges and universities have recently stopped requiring SAT or ACT scores. However, a high SAT score can help you qualify for an academic scholarship, so it may be worth your time and money.
How long is the SAT test?
The SAT takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. Each section has a different length:
The reading section is 65 minutes long with 52 questions.
The writing and language section is 35 minutes long with 44 questions.
The non-calculator math section is 25 minutes long with 20 questions.
The calculator math section is 55 minutes long with 38 questions.
There is a 10-minute break after the reading section and a 5-minute break between the math sections.
When do I take the SAT test?
It's best to take the SAT for the first time in the spring or fall of your junior year and again in the fall of your senior year. Taking the SAT twice makes you more familiar with it and more likely to get a higher score.
The SAT is available on different dates each year, but it's usually on a Saturday during March, May, June, August, October, November, or December.