How Much Does the SAT Test Cost?

1. Standard SAT Registration Fee (2025)

As of 2025, the cost to register for the SAT in the United States is:

• $60 – SAT Registration Fee

This fee includes access to your test results online and up to four free score reports if you send them within nine days after the test. It does not include the optional essay section, which was discontinued in 2021.

2. Additional SAT Service Fees

Depending on your situation, you may incur additional charges:

• Late Registration Fee: $30 – if you register after the deadline
• Test Date Change Fee: $25 – to switch test dates or test centers
• Waitlist Fee: Not currently offered (check College Board updates)
• Additional Score Report: $14 per report – after the initial four free ones
• Rush Reporting: $31 – to send scores quickly to colleges
• Archived Scores Request: $31 – for older SAT scores (taken before 2022)
• Answer Verification Services: $16–$18 – to receive detailed score breakdowns (available in some states)

3. International SAT Fees

If you’re testing outside the U.S., additional regional fees apply:

• Canada: $43 regional fee
• Europe & Middle East: $53 regional fee
• Asia (India, Korea, etc.): $49 regional fee
• Africa: $43 regional fee
• Latin America: $43 regional fee

This means the total cost for international students often ranges from $100–$113 USD. All prices are in U.S. dollars.

4. Score Report Costs

Students get up to four free score reports if they send them within nine days of their test. After that, the cost is:

• $14 per additional college

If you’re applying to multiple schools or want to send scores later, keep this in mind while budgeting. Some colleges also allow superscoring, so you might end up sending scores from multiple test dates.

5. SAT Fee Waivers

Many students qualify for fee waivers that can significantly reduce or eliminate the cost of taking the SAT. Eligible U.S. students can receive:

• 2 free SAT tests with or without the essay (now discontinued)
• 6 free additional score reports (any time)
• Free CSS Profile for financial aid at participating colleges
• No application fee for participating colleges

To qualify, students typically must meet income eligibility guidelines or be enrolled in federal assistance programs. Ask your school counselor to request a waiver through College Board’s online portal.

6. What’s Included in the Basic Fee?

Here’s what your $60 SAT fee includes:

• Admission to the test center
• Online access to scores (Reading, Writing & Language, Math)
• Score breakdown by section
• Eligibility to send 4 free score reports to colleges
• Access to the Student Score Report Dashboard

7. What’s Not Included?

The following services are NOT covered in the base registration fee:

• Late registration
• Test date or location change
• Rush score sending
• Extra score reports beyond the first four
• Question and Answer Services (for score review)
• International region surcharges

8. Optional Costs You Might Encounter

Some optional SAT-related expenses that students might not anticipate include:

• Prep courses or tutors (ranges from $50 to $2000+)
• SAT prep books or online tools ($10–$100)
• Transportation or lodging (for rural test centers)
• Retakes (multiple test registrations add up)

Planning for these optional but sometimes necessary items can help you avoid surprises.

9. SAT Cost vs. ACT Cost

As of 2025, the SAT is slightly less expensive than the ACT with Writing. Here’s a quick comparison:

• SAT: $60 (no essay option)
• ACT: $68 (with Writing), $53 (without Writing)

However, both offer fee waivers and have similar structures in terms of optional services and score reporting.

10. Tips for Saving Money

• Register early to avoid late fees
• Only send free score reports to colleges you're serious about
• Apply for a fee waiver if eligible
• Use free prep tools (like Khan Academy or College Board practice tests)
• Limit retakes—one or two is usually sufficient

Final Thoughts

The SAT is an investment in your college future. While the test does come with costs, knowing what to expect—and how to reduce or avoid fees—can help you and your family prepare financially. Always check the latest information on collegeboard.org, and consult with your school counselor to ensure you're getting all the support and resources available to you.