How Much Does the SAT Cost?

Several times every year, early on a Saturday morning, high school juniors and seniors arrive at test centers across the U.S. to take the SAT^®.

The SAT is a globally recognized college admission test that millions of students take each year as a step on their path to college. When students are taking the test on a Saturday, there is a fee.

Here’s a detailed look at how much the SAT costs.

SAT Fees

The SAT test base price includes the two main sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and currently costs $60. 

Other SAT fees come into play if you sign up during the late registration period, sign up by phone, or change an existing registration. Regional fees apply to students taking the SAT outside of the United States.

Every SAT registration includes free score reports to four schools. There are fees for additional score reports or opting in for further services such as rush ordering or score verification. Don’t forget to use those free score sends because they do expire! Unless you’re using a fee waiver, you have until nine days after the test to send your included score reports.

How Much Does the SAT Cost with Fee Waivers?

The College Board is a nonprofit organization, and we strive for equality, believing that all students should have access to a successful college experience that they can afford.

Because SAT testing costs may be a barrier, we offer a fee waiver program to low-income students. Our program waives fees for tests and some additional services.

How Do I Get a Fee Waiver?

You can get a fee waiver by consulting with your school counselor. The waiver can cover the testing fee, additional score reports, and more. In some cases, the fee waiver can even be applied to college application costs.

A few different factors determine your eligibility for an SAT fee waiver, such as your household size and income, as well as things like whether you’re in foster care or are qualified for the free and reduced-price lunch program at your school.

If you think you might qualify for the fee waiver, talk to your school counselor. They’ll give you a code to use when you sign up for the SAT.

What Does a Fee Waiver Cover?

SAT Fee Waivers cover some costs in full and cut down on others. Let’s take a detailed look.

The SAT fee waiver includes the registration price for the SAT. A single waiver code covers two SAT registrations. If you’re in the U.S. or U.S. Territories, this even includes any late fees for registering after the regular deadline. The SAT fee waiver covers unlimited sends of your score report to colleges. Additionally, for participating schools, it can also cover college application fees and College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile applications for financial aid.

But wait, there’s more…

The SAT fee waiver also pays for two Question-And-Answer Service reports (which allow you to see your answers from the test, as well as the correct answers). If you’re a U.S. student living abroad, you won’t need to pay any regional fees. The SAT fee waiver even provides fee reductions for score verification reports.

However, there are a few things the SAT fee waiver does not cover:

• Change fees (if you decide to take a different test or change your test date after registering)
• Register-by-phone charges
• Rushed score reports
• Scores by phone

How Much Does the SAT Cost, In Total?

The final cost of your SAT registration will depend on whether you add any extra services, and whether you register after the regular deadline. International students should expect to add regional fees based on where they live. Four score reports are included with each SAT registration, but these need to be used within nine days after the test, or else the same cost applies as with additional score reports. If you qualify for an SAT fee waiver, many of these costs are covered.

With this information, you'll be able to better plan and prepare for taking the SAT on a Saturday. See upcoming SAT registration dates today.