What to Expect on SAT Test Day

If you’re taking the SAT at a test center on a weekend, you may be wondering what to expect. Here are a few things to know.

1. Understand Why You’re Taking the Test

The SAT is about more than standing out on college applications, and your scores are more than just a number. Together with your high school grades, the SAT can help you identify the strengths and skills you need to improve and can help you plan for life after high school, to college, career, or wherever your path leads you. Find out why students like you take the test.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Test Center

Depending on when and where you’re testing, your test center may need to close due to reasons such as severe weather. Test centers report closures or reduced capacity as early as possible to ensure students are informed and to reduce uncertainty ahead of test day. Be aware that there may be a delay between the test center closing and an email notification. In the days leading up to each test, we’ll give updates about test center closures as often as possible. We also suggest you check directly with the test center, and visit the test center’s website, the day before and morning of the test, especially if you're planning to travel to the test center.

3. Know What Test Day Will Be Like

Arrive on time on test day. Be sure to check your admission ticket for your arrival time and the address of your test center. Test centers open at 7:45 a.m. and doors close at 8:00 a.m., unless otherwise noted on your admission ticket. Starting this year, the SAT is digital. If you took the digital PSAT/NMSQT in school, then you know what to expect. Watch the video below to find out how to get your admission ticket and how test day will work.

4. Find Out What You Should Bring and What to Leave at Home

Because the SAT is now digital, you won’t need to bring pencils, but we do recommend you bring a pencil or pen for scratch work. Here’s what else you should and shouldn’t bring.