The SAT is a standardised entrance exam for undergraduate admissions worldwide. Conducted by the College Board, the exam is taken by high school students who want to study in the US, Canada, or the UK in a UG program. As of 2026, SAT is accepted by 4,000+ universities in around 65 countries. As per the Princeton Review, 25,000-30,000 Indian students take the exam every year.
SAT is a fully digital and adaptive test that evaluates students’ written, verbal, analytical, and mathematical skills. The test is divided into 2 sections: Reading & Writing and Math. The duration is 2 hours 14 minutes, with an additional 10-minute break. The total score of SATs ranges from 400 to 1600, and there is no negative marking for incorrect or unanswered questions.
The digital SAT examination fee is $111 (approx. 10,000 INR) in India. The test can only be taken at a test center and is available on 8 dates a year. For the current testing year, the remaining exam dates are March 14, May 2, and June 6, 2026.
A SAT score of 1550+ is ideal for admission to top universities abroad, like Harvard, Princeton, and MIT. A score of 1300+ can open doors to numerous merit-based scholarships as well. The College Board also provides fee waivers based on family income. For example, the College Board India Scholars Program offers up to 90% disocunt on SAT fees for family income less than 8 lakhs INR.
Must Check: Undergraduate Courses in the US
- SAT Practice Tests 2026
- SAT Exam Highlights
- SAT Registration 2026
4.1 SAT Registration 2026 (Online)
4.3 SAT Registration 2026 (By Mail)
- SAT Exam Dates 2026
- SAT Fees 2026
6.1 SAT Fee Payment Methods 2026
- SAT Fee Waiver 2026
- How to Cancel Your SAT Exam?
- How to Reschedule Your SAT Exam?
- SAT Scholarships for Indian Students 2026
- SAT Exam Pattern 2026
- SAT Score 2026
13.1 How to Check SAT Score 2026?
13.2 How to Send SAT Scores to Universities?
- SAT Scores for Top Universities Abroad 2026
- SAT Preparation Tips 2026
- FAQs
SAT Exam Highlights
The table below gives everything you need to know about the SAT exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SAT |
| Full Form | Scholastic Aptitude Test |
| Official Website | https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat |
| Purpose | Undergraduate courses abroad |
| Conducting Body | College Board |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based |
| Fees | $111 (approx. 10,000 INR) |
| Test Dates | 8 dates in a year Upcoming Dates: March 14, May 2, & June 6 |
| Score Range | 400-1600 points |
| Result Time | Within 13 days |
SAT Exam Dates and Deadlines 2026
There are 8 SAT test dates available in a year. The table below mentions the SAT exam schedule for the current testing year:
| Exam date | Registration Deadline | Change Deadline (Cancel, Test Center Change, Reschedule) |
|---|---|---|
| March 14, 2026 | February 27, 2026 | March 3, 2026 |
| May 2, 2026 | April 17, 2026 | April 21, 2026 |
| June 6, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 |
Note: If you want to borrow a device from College Board, you must request for the same at least 30 days in advance.
SAT Fees 2026
The table below gives information about the fees related to the various services for the SAT exam.
| SAT Exam Service | Fee in India | Approximate Fee in Indian Rupees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | $111 | INR 10,000 | Includes a $68 (approx. 6,103 INR) registration fee and a $43 (approx. 3,900 INR) international fee. |
| Change test center | $34 | INR 3,050 | Can be done within the change deadline. |
| Cancel fee | $34 | INR 3,050 | If done before the change deadline. (9 PM IST) |
| Late cancel fee | $44 | INR 3,950 | If done after the change deadline. (9 PM IST) |
| Late registration | $38 | INR 3,410 | If done after the registration deadline but before the change deadline. |
| Additional score report | $15 per report | INR 1,350 per report | The first 4 reports are free and must be sent to universities within 9 days. |
| Rush report | $31 | INR 2,800 |
|
| Get scores by phone | $15 per call | INR 1,350 per call |
|
| Send archived scores | $35 | INR 3,141 | Scores are archived if not sent within a year, and can be retrieved. |
| Rechecking | $55 | INR 4,940 | Can be done only by phone - +1-212-713-7789 |
SAT Fee Payment Methods 2026
You can pay SAT registration and other fees with these methods:
- Credit Card: American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and JCB.
- PayPal
How can Indian students pay SAT fees if they don’t have a credit card?
If you don’t have a credit card, you must pay through PayPal, and there is no other option. You can create a PayPal account easily before registering for the exam.
SAT Fee Waiver 2026
The College Board India Scholars Program offers a fee waiver of up to 90% depending on your family income. Here are the eligibility requirements:
| Annual Family Income | Discount on SAT Fee |
|---|---|
| Below 8 Lakhs INR | 90% |
| Between 8 Lakhs - 15 Lakhs INR | 50% |
How to Apply?
- Apply for a fee waiver voucher or code at Buddy4Study (buddy4study.com/collegeboard).
- Use the code while registering for the exam.
SAT Registration 2026
SAT registration can be done either online or by mail. Below are the steps for each method.
SAT Registration Online
You can register for the SAT exam by following the steps below:
- Create a profile on the College Board website.
- Fill out the application form by providing personal information and academic details.
- Select the test date and test center
- Upload a clear passport-size photograph
- Use PayPal or a credit card for payment
Check the full list of SAT Test Centers in India
SAT Eligibility:
- Anyone looking to pursue undergraduate studies abroad can take the SAT exam.
- The only requirement is a valid document. The accepted documents for SAT are passport and Aadhar card.
- Students under 13 years of age need to contact SAT support to sign a “Parental Consent Form.”
Are homeschooled students allowed to take the SAT?
Yes. Anyone with a valid ID (passport or aadhar card) can take the test. To get admission, you need to fulfill the other requirements of your target university or program.
SAT Admission Ticket
After registering for the SAT, you must download the SAT Admission Ticket, which contains personal details, exam date, and center information. To download the SAT admission ticket, follow these steps:
- Sign in to the Bluebook App using the same email and password as your College Board account.
- Complete the exam setup 1-5 days before the SAT date.
- Once setup is complete, the app will generate your admission ticket.
- Download and print the ticket to bring to the SAT exam center.
Note: Double-check the details on your admission ticket for accuracy and carefully read all instructions provided.
SAT Registration By Mail
To register for the digital SAT by mail, follow the steps below:
- Obtain a SAT Student Registration Booklet from a counselor or the College Board.
- Fill out the application form.
- Mail the form along with a check or money order for the fee to the address below:
College Board SAT Program
P.O. Box 7502
London, KY 40742-750
SAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
The SAT exam pattern is divided into 2 sections: Evidence-based Reading & Writing and Math. Both are further divided into 2 sections each. More details around how the SAT is structured are below:
| Sections | Duration | Number of Questions | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW) | 64 minutes: divided into 2 32-minute modules | 54 questions | Draw inferences, find contextual meaning of words, fix grammar and punctuation, etc. |
| Math | 70 minutes: divided into 2 35-minute modules | 44 questions | Linear equations, inequalities, ratios and proportions, lines, area and volume, etc. |
Notes:
- The SAT is a fully digital, adaptive exam.
- The difficulty of the exam adjusts based on how you answer in a specific module: correct answers lead to harder questions, while incorrect answers make the questions easier.
- There is no negative marking.
Check the full SAT syllabus here
Is a calculator allowed in the SAT exam?
Yes, an in-built calculator is available on the Bluebook app. You can also bring a handheld calculator, provided it is a non-CAS calculator. Just check for the sign “CAS” in your calculator to know if it is approved or not.
SAT Score 2026
The SAT is scored out of 1600, with each section worth 800 points. You'll usually get your scores within 2 weeks after taking the test.
Check the SAT Sample Score Report PDF
How to Check SAT Score 2026?
To check your SAT result, follow these steps:
- Click on “Sign in to Student Score Reports.”
- Log in using your account details. Your latest score will appear at the top.
- Click on Score Summary and choose “See Score Details” to view more information about your scores.
SAT Scores for Top Universities Abroad 2026
SAT scores are mostly used for admissions to colleges and universities in the USA, while in other countries, most universities look at your Class 12 marks. Here is a list of universities and their SAT score requirements:
| University | Test-Optional? | Total score | EBRW Score | Math Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | Yes, until Fall 2027 | 1530-1560 | 760-780 | 790-800 |
| Harvard University | No | 1550-1580 | 760-780 | 790-800 |
| University of Chicago | Yes | 1540-1560 | 760-780 | 790-800 |
| Yale University | No | 1530-1560 | 760-780 | 780-790 |
| Columbia University | Yes | 1540-1560 | 760-780 | 790-800 |
| MIT | No | 1550-1570 | 760-780 | 800 |
| Stanford University | Yes | 1540-1570 | 760-780 | 790-800 |
| University of Pennsylvania | No | 1550-1570 | 760-770 | 790-800 |
| Duke University | Yes | 1540-1570 | 760-770 | 780-800 |
| University of Toronto | Yes | 1450-1550 | NA | NA |
| McGill University | Yes | 1250 | 670 | 580 |
Must Read: SAT Score for US Colleges
SAT Scholarships for Indian Students 2026
Many universities abroad offer several scholarships based on SAT scores. Here are some that would benefit Indian students:
| University Name | SAT Score Required | Award Amount in USD | Award Amount in INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri | 1200-1390 | $10,000 - $20,000 | 9 - 18 lakhs INR |
| Baylor University | No minimum score is mentioned, but taken into account. | $1,000 to full cost of attendance | 90,000 INR to full cost of attendance |
| University of Mississippi | 1200-1450+ | $3,500 - $30,150 | 3.2 - 27 lakhs INR |
| Texas Tech University | 1100-1500+ | $1,000-$9,000 per year | 90,000 - 9 lakhs INR |
Check Out More SAT Scholarships
SAT Preparation Tips 2026
Here are some SAT preparation tips and strategies to help you get ready:
- Reading and Vocabulary: Focus on building strong reading and vocabulary skills, especially for the reading and writing sections.
- Math Preparation: Practice math problems and memorize key formulas to ace the math section. You can also check out SAT Math test papers to challenge yourself.
- Time Management: Work on managing your time effectively, as the SAT’s digital format requires you to keep up with the pace.
- Self-Study or Coaching: You can either study on your own or consider joining coaching classes for SAT preparation.
- Study Materials: Use SAT prep books, including official materials, and take advantage of Khan Academy’s free SAT prep resources.
- Section-Wise Preparation: For focused study, check out SAT reading prep tips and math prep tips to improve your performance in each section.
If you are planning to prepare for the SAT in 2026, you must read: Why SAT and ACT challenge Indian Students Despite High Grades?
SAT is a crucial exam for students aiming to pursue undergraduate studies abroad, particularly in the US and Canada. By understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, and proper preparation strategies, you can maximize your chances of achieving a competitive score. Utilizing official resources, practice tests, and time management techniques will help you perform well and meet the admission requirements of your chosen universities.
FAQs
Ques. Is SAT preparation easy for Indian high school students?
Ans. SAT preparation can be challenging, but with the right study plan and resources, Indian high school students can manage it well. Practicing regularly and focusing on time management will help improve performance.
Ques. Is the SAT syllabus tough for Indian students?
Ans. The SAT syllabus may seem different from what students learn in school, but with consistent practice, it becomes easier. The key is to focus on reading, math, and vocabulary skills.
Ques. Is the digital SAT exam pattern beneficial for students?
Ans. The digital SAT is adaptive, which means the difficulty level adjusts based on your answers. This can be helpful as it tailors the test to your ability, allowing students to focus on their strengths.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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