The best place to study for the SAT Exam.

The cost for the SAT exam is $68 but there is a cost waiver option for students in need. Receiving a fee waiver for testing can gain you waived college application fees, as well. Contact your school counselor for information on this. Late registration, change of location, and other services can increase the cost of the test.

To take the SAT exam, you must bring the following:

• An approved photo ID: This must be an unexpired physical document. School IDs from the previous year are acceptable through December 31st of the current year. For example, an ID from the 2024-2025 school year would be valid until the end of 2025.

• Your admission ticket: Printed from the College Board website and required for entry.

• Several No. 2 pencils with erasers: Even though the test is digital, you’ll still need these for scratch work.

• An approved calculator: Make sure it’s charged or has fresh batteries, as calculators are allowed for the entire Math section. You can also opt to use the graphing calculator provided on-screen during the exam.

You may also want to bring a watch (without internet access) to keep track of time and a snack or drink for the breaks. Note that the use of cell phones, laptops, or any device capable of taking photos or playing music is strictly prohibited in the testing area.

Your SAT score report provides a comprehensive look at your performance, beginning with your total score, followed by insights into your section scores and score recipients. You can find all of your SAT score information by signing into your SAT student score portal.

Total Score (400-1600)

Your total score is the first thing you’ll see, displayed prominently. This score is a combination of your Reading and Writing and Math section scores, and it will fall somewhere between 400 and 1600. Next to this, you’ll find your percentile rank, which shows how your score compares to other test-takers. For example, if your percentile is 70, you scored higher than 70% of test-takers. Beneath your total score, you’ll also see a score range, representing the range of scores you could reasonably expect to achieve if you were to take the SAT multiple times. Some colleges may take this range into account, alongside your total score, when reviewing your application.

Section Scores (200-800)

The two main sections of the SAT, Reading and Writing and Math, are scored on a scale of 200 to 800 each. These scores are added together to give you your total score. On your report, you’ll see where your scores fall on a benchmark scale, showing whether you meet the college readiness standard. Your percentile rank for each section is also displayed, allowing you to see how your performance compares specifically in Reading and Writing and Math against other test-takers.

Score Recipients

Below your section scores, the score recipients section shows the colleges or scholarship programs that you’ve requested to receive your scores. This area includes the date your scores were sent and whether they’ve been successfully delivered. If there were any issues or delays, those will be noted here as well.

Today, an increasing number of jobs require postsecondary (beyond high school) education to secure even an entry-level position. Most colleges require either SAT exam or ACT (American College Test) test scores as part of your application. Check with the colleges of your choice to find out which test they use for admission purposes.

Anyone with sufficient reading and writing skills to answer the test questions can take the SAT. There are no age or grade-level requirements. However, if you are under 13 years old, you must register by phone or mail due to privacy regulations, as online registration is not available for younger students.

Most students take the SAT during their Junior and early Senior years of high school to align with college admissions deadlines. Although many colleges have made SAT scores optional for admissions, submitting strong scores can still enhance your application, especially for competitive schools or programs.

The SAT is just one measure of a college applicant’s readiness for college-level work, but it remains a significant one. Colleges recognize that high school experiences, teachers, and curricula can vary widely, and the SAT provides a standardized way to assess students’ abilities across key academic areas. The exam focuses on reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills—those identified by colleges as crucial for success at the college level.

In addition to academic readiness, the SAT also measures a student’s ability to perform under pressure, which is a valuable skill both in college and in the professional world. However, it’s important to remember that SAT scores are only one part of your college application. Many schools consider test scores optional, and even for those that require them, your scores typically make up only one-fifth to one-third of your overall application. You also have the opportunity to take the test multiple times to improve your results.

While going to college is no guarantee of a high-paying job in your future, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has established that the median yearly income for those with a Bachelor’s degree is 63% higher than those with only a high school diploma. So, attending college is a proactive way to protect your financial future.

The SAT exam is given on certain Saturdays, at least seven times during each school year. It is given in many locations throughout the United States and at many international locations. Sunday options are also available for students with religious observance requirements on Saturdays. Remaining test dates for the 2024-2025 school year are as follows:

• October 5, 2024
• November 2, 2024
• December 7, 2024
• March 8, 2025
• May 3, 2025
• June 7, 2025

The digital SAT has a shorter total test time compared to the previous version. You will have approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete the exam. The test is divided into two main sections:

Reading and Writing: 64 minutes total, with 54 questions (administered in two modules)

Math: 70 minutes total, with 44 questions (administered in two modules, and a calculator is allowed for all math questions)

The digital format uses adaptive testing, meaning that the questions in each module adjust in difficulty based on your performance.