SAT Exam 2025: Registration, Test Dates, Centres, Fees, Eligibility, Score & Results

SAT is a standardized entrance test, commonly taken by high school students to evaluate their aptitude for admission to undergraduate programs abroad. The full form of SAT is Scholastic Aptitude Test, it is a multiple-choice, computer-based test, created and conducted by the College Board. Every year, about 25,000 Indian students take the SAT exam. Students need to pay an SAT exam fee of $68 (INR 5,800), and Indian candidates are required to pay a non-US regional fee of $43 (INR 3,669), making the total SAT exam price for Indian students $111 (INR 9,471). Remember that SAT highest score is 1400 and lowest score is 400. The SAT exam registration can be done up to 5 weeks before the test date.

SAT exam pattern has been updated on 9 March 2025. The new SAT Digital exam pattern comprises 2 sections: a. SAT Reading and Writing, and b. SAT Math. There are 98 questions in SAT 2025, including 54 questions in Reading and Writing and 44 questions in Math. The test is to be attempted in 134 minutes, with 64 minutes for Reading and Writing, and 70 minutes for Math. The reading and SAT writing section passages range from 25 to 150 words. These Passages include science, literature, history/social studies, and the humanities. The math section includes Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, Geometry and Trigonometry.

Also Check: SAT Score Chart

Big Changes in SAT Exam

SAT has now changed into a digital format, reducing the test duration and providing access to a larger mass of students. In the post pandemic period, universities started making SAT scores a mandatory requirement for admission. Here are some reasons to choose SAT in present day context:

• The College Board has released SAT exam 2025 dates, but SAT Subject Tests are being eliminated in the U.S.
• The SAT has undergone major changes, including a reduced test duration from 3 hours to 2 hours and expanded reading comprehension topics.
• The Quant section now allows calculator use, and students get more time between questions and sections.
• Results are available within days, and SAT EBRW has been replaced by the Language and Writing test. The exam has also fully transitioned to a digital format.

SAT vs ACT

Both SAT and ACT have questions from similar topics and are used for college admissions. SAT scores are also different from ACT scores. The differences between the two types of tests are provided below:

Why Should You Take the SAT?

SAT is considered significant during undergraduate admissions for several reasons. The main aim of conducting the College SAT exam in India is to test the knowledge of high school level Maths, Reading, and Writing to secure admission in undergraduate courses abroad. Here are a few benefits:

• SAT does not include complex science topics, which can be easier for non-science background students.
• Compared to other entrance exams, the fees for SAT are not very high.
• SAT scores are helpful for Indian students in getting scholarships.
• SAT has no negative marking for wrong answers.
• SAT prep includes only high school Maths topics.
• SAT improves your numerical knowledge.
• It improves English-speaking skills.
• SAT exam fee is comparatively lesser when compared to the ACT to SAT exams.
• Few grad schools grant SAT scholarships to Indian students based on SAT score.
• The majority of top USA colleges require SAT scores for undergraduate admission.

SAT Exam Overview

In simple terms, SAT is a difficult exam. You have to sit for 4 hours and answer every type of question from the Maths and English sections. While some SAT exam questions are direct, few are very complex. The Critical Reading Section of SAT is the most challenging one.

• The main requirement for the SAT exam is having a good grasp of English.
• JEE and SAT are 2 different exams based on different parameters.
• JEE is sometimes considered easy if you know the concepts properly, however, the formulas can be very challenging to remember.
• In SAT the concepts tested are of 10th standard, and the formulas are also given on the question sheet.

You can register online from the SAT website, by mail, or by phone. SAT test registration is open throughout the year. Candidates who missed the late deadline date can apply for a waitlist. They have generated 3 ways for universities to help the candidates:

1. Relaxing the score sending deadlines;
2. Unbiasedness towards candidates who couldn't take the test due to COVID-19 and equally considering them like the ones who could take it;
3. Considering candidates who could only take the test once.

Online SAT Registration:

• Candidates need to create a profile on the College Board website.
• After the profile is created, fill out the application form by providing Personal Information, High School Information, and Contact Information like mobile number, email id.
• Then create a Student Profile
• Select the Test and Test Center
• Upload a clear passport-size photograph
• Use a credit card or PayPal for payment
• Print the admission ticket for future reference

SAT Registration by Mail:

Candidates need to register by mail, if:

• Requesting testing closer to home
• Requesting Sunday testing for the first time
• Paying by check or money order
• Younger than 13 years old
• Not able to upload a photograph
• Registering through an SAT international representative

To Register by Mail:

• Students need to request SAT Student Registration Booklet from a counselor or College Board
• Fill out the application form
• You must mail the form along with a check or money order for the application fee using the registration envelope to:

  College Board SAT Program
  P.O. Box 7502
  London, KY 40742-7502.

2025 SAT Exam Fees

SAT exam fee is $68 (INR 5,800), along with a regional fee of $43 (INR 3,669). This brings the total exam fee for Indian candidates to $111 (INR 9,471). SAT exam fees vary with the additional requirement of the candidates. Check the table for SAT exam fees and additional service costs:

SAT Payment Methods

The conducting body of SAT does not accept cash for registration. There are 3 ways to pay SAT exam fee:

1. Credit Cards: American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and JCB.
2. PayPal: New PayPal users are required to create an account before beginning registration. Ghana doesn't accept the PayPal method.
3. Check or Money Order: All the money orders and checks are to be delivered to ‘The College Board’ address. Only checks drawn on U.S. banks are accepted.
4. Other methods: Bank draft.

Note: You must check for the SAT ID requirements while registering.

How to Cancel SAT Exam?

If you are not willing to take the SAT test on a particular day, and do not want to reschedule, you can cancel the test by not showing up. SAT Collegeboard will automatically not count your results. SAT exam registrations cannot be canceled before 5 days of the booked test. In case of canceled registration, a partial refund of $10 will be received. The refund processing starts 6 weeks after the test date. You must consider enrolling for SAT prep classes as some times students tend to cancel the test due to extreme test anxiety.

How to Reschedule SAT Exam?

Students can change SAT exam date through the official College Board account. Candidates need to register for the new test date, then cancel SAT registration that is no more required. You need to incur $25 to change before the regular change deadline, or $35 to change after the regular change deadline. There is no deadline for rescheduling SAT test dates. All the sections of Reading, and Writing and Maths, contribute to the total SAT scores.

SAT Scholarships

The College Board India Scholars Program focuses on providing SAT scholarships for Indian students from low-income families with a meritorious background. SAT scholarships for Indian students offers a 100% scholarship to those students who have scored 1300 on SAT and whose income does not meet a specific threshold. Students can apply for scholarships when applying for admission. Collegeboard has connected with Indian universities and founded the India Global Alliance. Through these you get the chance to study at some topmost international universities like Cambridge, MIT, Columbia, and more through SAT scholarships.

SAT Score

Each section of SAT exam is scored on a 200 to 800-point scale. The total SAT score is the sum of each section's scores. The highest possible SAT score is 1600 or 800+800. If one takes the Essay test, then a separate score is given. SAT Score Calculator converts the raw SAT score into a scaled score based on specific rules. The average SAT score is 1450+ for top ranking universities worldwide.

• Each section has a raw SAT score, which is based on the number of correct answers given.
• Each question of all the sections carries the 1 mark.
• No negative marking.

SAT Score Report

SAT Score reports can be accessed via the College Board profile:

• Click on My Organizer.
• Click on SAT Scores
• Click on Access My Scores
• Enter username and password
• Click on the "My Test Scores" box
• Your SAT score will be displayed on the screen
• Students are required to send their score reports by phone or mail to the colleges they are eligible for
• Score choice can be used for the above purpose
• Students can send up to four score reports to colleges for free; before which an additional fee will be charged.

Furthermore, SAT score report has a ‘Score Breakdown’ option that describes sectional scores. There are three breakdowns:

• Test Scores: This offers scores broken into reading and writing and language. The scores are marked out of 40 points.
• Cross-test Scores: This offers scores based on the knowledge of SAT science and history/social studies. This is also marked out of 40.
• Subscores: This measures performance based on different skills like Command of Evidence and Words in Context, for writing and language – Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions, and for math – Heart of Algebra, Problem Solving and Data Analysis, and Passport to Advanced Math.

How SAT is Scored?

SAT results are evaluated in a strict manner, ensuring fairness. After submitting the answer sheet, a rigid check is carried on until they are delivered to the processing center. The answers are scanned, then checked by the system, which considers the answers mentioned in the circles. From those circled answers, the raw score is calculated. To ensure proper checking of the answers, use a pencil and a soft eraser. The circle is to be filled in darkly. Beginner students typically need 2–3 months of SAT preparation time.

How to Send SAT Scores?

Most universities require SAT Score reports to be sent directly from College Board rather than accepting copies. Candidates can either select four to five universities during registration and College Board will directly send the scores after their release without any additional cost. SAT score chart will help you understand the scores. If you are sending SAT scores after they are released, there will be an additional fee to be incurred, though fee waivers help cancel the fee. Post-release, scores can be sent through:

1. Online: Through the College Board account on SAT official website
2. Mail: Finish and mail the ‘Additional Score Report Form’
3. Phone: By calling the customer service

How to Cancel SAT Score?

Candidates can cancel their SAT scores if they feel dissatisfied with their results. SAT cutoff for US universities are usually between the range of 1450-1600. But once their cancellation request has been made, it cannot be reinstated or reported. There are two ways to cancel your SAT scores:

Option 1: At SAT Test Center

• Once you've taken the test, ask the staff for a ‘request to cancel test scores form’
• Complete the form, and hand it over to the test coordinator before leaving

Option 2: After leaving SAT test center

The signed, written score cancellation form needs to be submitted before 11.59 ET on the next Thursday of the test date. The form needs to be downloaded, filled, and faxed to the given address:

Choose one of these options:

• Fax: 610-290-8978
• Overnight delivery via U.S. Postal Service Express Mail (the U.S. only)

SAT Score Cancellation

P.O. Box 6228

Princeton, NJ 08541-6228

• Other overnight mail service or courier (U.S. or international)

SAT Score Cancellation

1425 Lower Ferry Road

Ewing, NJ 08618

The mailing or fax label should read: "Attention: SAT Score Cancellation."

Universities Accepting SAT Score in India

Below is a list of Indian universities accepting SAT scores for admission. The list also includes the universities that consider SAT scores for offering SAT scholarships. Candidates must fall within SAT score range to be eligible.

SAT Exam Books

A list of SAT exam books for preparation that will help you grasp the concepts of SAT exam subjects easily is as follows:

• The College Board’s Official SAT Study Guide - Check PDF
• Barron's SAT Study Guide Premium - Check PDF
• Barron’s SAT, 29th Edition - Check PDF
• Kalli’s SAT Pattern Strategy - Check PDF
• Kaplan SAT Prep Plus - Check PDF
• The Princeton Review's Cracking the SAT - Check PDF
• McGraw Hill Education SAT Elite - Check PDF

SAT Practice Papers

SAT preparation includes going through SAT previous year papers and taking numerous SAT exam practice tests. Here we have listed a few of SAT sample papers for your practice:

SAT Writing: You must solve SAT Writing and Language sample papers to improve your scores for these sections:

SAT Reading: A few samples of SAT reading are provided below:

SAT Math: SAT Math practice papers are the best way to achieve a high score.

Physics SAT Practice Test: Mentioned below are some of the SAT physics sample papers:-

SAT Chemistry Practice Test: The table below contains some SAT Chemistry sample papers –

SAT History Practice Test: These are few of the SAT history papers that you can solve:

The SAT is a crucial exam for students planning to pursue undergraduate studies abroad. With its recent transition to a digital format, the test now features a shorter duration, revised sections, and new question formats. By using official SAT preparation resources and following a structured study approach, you can improve your SAT scores and increase chances of admission to top universities worldwide.