Country edition: USA Beta
USA · Exams · College admission and college credit

SAT

The SAT is College Board's digital college admission test: two sections, 2 hours 14 minutes, scored 400–1600. Registration is $68 in the U.S., and low-income juniors and seniors can test free twice.

Length2 h 14 min98 questions, adaptive
Score400–1600
U.S. fee$68+$43 outside the U.S.
Next dateNov 7, 2026Register by Oct 23
Test datesFees and fee helpFree official practice

Made by College Board. Who: Usually grades 11 and 12. Checked on the owner's own pages, 21 Oct 2026.

Who takes it

  • Usually taken in grades 11 and 12. Students register for an SAT Weekend date themselves; SAT School Day is given at school and the school registers you.
    College Board
    SAT Suite Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-27, anticipated 2027-28)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source
  • The same dates and deadlines apply to U.S. and international students.
    College Board
    SAT Suite Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-27, anticipated 2027-28)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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Format and sections

Each section has two equal modules: the first is a mix of easy, medium and hard questions, and the second is harder or easier depending on how you did. A 10-minute break separates the sections.

College Board
How the SAT Is StructuredCollege Board
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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SectionTimeQuestions
Reading and Writing64 min (two 32-min modules)54
Math70 min (two 35-min modules)44
Total134 min (2 h 14 min)98
  • Most questions are multiple choice; some math questions ask you to enter the answer.
    College Board
    How the SAT Is StructuredCollege Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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Scoring

  • Total 400–1600, the sum of Reading and Writing (200–800) and Math (200–800).
    College Board
    Score Structure — SAT SuiteCollege Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • The SAT Essay is given only in states that require it for SAT School Day; its score is reported separately.
    College Board
    Score Structure — SAT SuiteCollege Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • Your first 4 score reports are free if you order them by 9 days after the test.
    College Board
    SAT Test Fees (U.S., through June 2027)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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Fees and fee waivers

U.S. fees through June 2027:

College Board
SAT Test Fees (U.S., through June 2027)College Board
Checked
21 Oct 2026
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ItemFee
SAT registration$68
Late registration$38
Change test center$34
Cancel by the change deadline$34
Late cancel (by Thursday before test day)$44
Extra score report (after the 4 free)$15 each
Rush report$31
Score verification$55
  • Outside the U.S.: $68 plus a $43 international fee; some test centers add $24.
    College Board
    SAT International FeesCollege Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • Fee waivers: for low-income 11th and 12th graders in the U.S. or U.S. territories (abroad, U.S. citizens only), for example students in the National School Lunch Program, TRIO programs such as Upward Bound, foster care or federally subsidized housing.
    College Board
    SAT Fee Waivers: benefits and eligibility (for K-12 educators)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • A waiver gives two free SATs, unlimited score reports, no late or change fees, waived application fees at participating colleges and free CSS Profile applications. It does not cover changing test centers, rush scores or scores by phone.
    College Board
    SAT Fee Waivers: benefits and eligibility (for K-12 educators)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • Ask your school counselor for a waiver code, or request one directly from College Board (homeschoolers too); benefits can be used once per lifetime. Ask at least 1–2 weeks before the registration deadline.
    College Board
    SAT Fee Waivers (students)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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Test dates

SAT Weekend dates, 2026-27 (deadlines end 11:59 p.m. ET). Students borrowing a College Board device must register at least 30 days ahead.

College Board
SAT Suite Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-27, anticipated 2027-28)College Board
Checked
21 Oct 2026
View source

Test dateRegister byLate registration and changes by
Oct 3, 2026Sept 18, 2026Sept 22, 2026
Nov 7, 2026Oct 23, 2026Oct 27, 2026
Dec 5, 2026Nov 20, 2026Nov 24, 2026
March 6, 2027Feb 19, 2027Feb 23, 2027
May 1, 2027Apr 16, 2027April 20, 2027
June 5, 2027May 21, 2027May 25, 2027
  • SAT School Day windows: October 1–30, 2026 and March 1–April 30, 2027.
    College Board
    SAT Suite Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-27, anticipated 2027-28)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source
  • Anticipated 2027-28 dates: Aug 28, Sept 18, Oct 9, Nov 6 and Dec 4, 2027; March 4, May 6 and June 3, 2028.
    College Board
    SAT Suite Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-27, anticipated 2027-28)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source
  • Sunday testing is only for students who cannot test on Saturday for religious reasons.
    College Board
    SAT Suite Test Dates and Deadlines (2026-27, anticipated 2027-28)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Free official practice

  • Official full-length digital practice tests and a test preview in the Bluebook app; paper (nonadaptive) practice tests to download, recommended for students testing with paper accommodations.
    College Board
    Full-Length SAT Suite Practice Tests (Bluebook and paper)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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  • Students who test with a fee waiver also get free college application benefits.
    College Board
    SAT Fee Waivers: benefits and eligibility (for K-12 educators)College Board
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
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Used by these careers and colleges

Careers on this site where BLS lists a bachelor's degree or more as the typical way in. A college may ask for this test on the way, depending on its own policy.

Colleges, checked on their own admissions pages

  • MIT: Required. SAT or ACT required for first-year and transfer applicants.
    MIT
    Tests & scores — MIT AdmissionsMassachusetts Institute of Technology
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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  • Yale University: Required. All first-year and transfer applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores; AP/IB scores optional but encouraged.
    Yale
    Standardized Testing — Yale Undergraduate AdmissionsYale University
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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  • Princeton University: Optional now, required later. Test optional for students entering in fall 2027; SAT or ACT required for students entering in fall 2028.
    Princeton
    Standardized Testing — Princeton AdmissionPrinceton University
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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  • University of California: Test-free. SAT and ACT scores are not considered for admission or scholarships.
    University of California
    First-year requirements — UC AdmissionsUniversity of California
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
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  • West Point (Army): Applicants send SAT, ACT or CLT scores, with a fitness assessment, a medical exam and a nomination.
    West Point
    Steps to AdmissionUnited States Military Academy at West Point
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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Careers (77)

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Sources

Where these facts come from

Official and primary sources only, each checked on the date shown. Rules on testing, aid, licensing and immigration change, so confirm a detail with its source before you rely on it.