| Updated On - May 13, 2026
SAT score validity refers to how long SAT scores remain usable for college admissions and accessible through the College Board. While the College Board does not officially expire SAT scores, it states that scores older than 5 years may become less reliable indicators of current academic performance. Colleges and universities ultimately decide whether to accept older scores.
SAT scores remain stored in the College Board system, but older scores may become archived after a student leaves high school and does not test again for a year. Archived scores can still be requested and sent to colleges for an additional fee. However, very old scores may no longer be accessible through the College Board system.
How Long Are SAT Scores Valid?
The College Board does not officially declare SAT scores as "expired." Your scores stay on record. But there is an important note from the College Board itself:
"Official score reports sent to colleges five or more years after a test date may be less valid predictors of college academic performance than more recent scores."
This means:
- Scores less than 5 years old — generally accepted without concern.
- Scores 5 or more years old — colleges may view them as less reliable.
The final decision on score acceptance always rests with the college or university you are applying to.
What Happens to Old SAT Scores?
Once you leave high school and have not tested for a year, the College Board archives your SAT scores. These are called "archived scores."
Archived scores are not deleted. You can still request them. But:
- They are stored separately from your active College Board account.
- You need to make a special request to access or send them.
- Some very old scores may be stored in systems that are no longer active.
- The College Board is not required to maintain older scores.
When Do Scores Become Available After the Test?
For students taking the SAT on weekends, scores are released 13 days after test day. Here are the 2026 score release dates:
| Test Date | Score Release Date |
|---|---|
| May 2, 2026 | May 15, 2026 (releasing soon) |
| June 6, 2026 | June 22, 2026 |
Scores are available online through your College Board student account.
How to Send Archived SAT Scores
If you need to send old SAT scores to a college, you can do so, but it costs extra.
Two ways to request archived scores:
- Online: Log in to your College Board account and follow the steps to send scores. Accept the prompt about ordering older score reports.
- By Phone: Call College Board Customer Service at +1-212-713-8000.
What you need to keep ready when calling:
- Your current name and address.
- Test date and registration number.
- Name and address at the time you tested.
- Credit card details.
Note: A fee of USD 35 (approx. 3,350 INR) is charged for sending archived scores.
SAT scores do not officially expire, but their usefulness can decrease over time, especially after 5 years or after major exam format changes. While archived scores can still be sent to colleges for an additional fee, acceptance ultimately depends on each university’s admissions policy.
FAQs
Ques. Does College Board officially expire SAT scores?
Ans. No. College Board does not set an official expiry date. But scores older than 5 years may be seen as less useful by colleges when predicting academic performance.
Ques. What happens to my SAT scores after I leave high school?
Ans. Once you leave high school and haven't tested for a year, College Board archives your scores. You can still request them, but an extra retrieval fee of USD 35 applies.
Ques. How much does it cost to send an archived SAT score to a college?
Ans. It costs USD 35 as an archived score retrieval fee, plus USD 15 per score report sent to each college. Rush delivery costs an additional USD 31.
Ques. How long does it take for SAT scores to be released after the test?
Ans. For weekend SAT test-takers, scores are released 13 days after test day. You can check them online through your College Board student account.
Ques. Is there a deadline to request score verification?
Ans. Yes. You must request score verification within 5 months of your test date. It can only be done once per test and costs USD 55.
Comments