SAT Fees and Registration Whats the Total Cost of the SAT

SAT Fees and Registration What's the Total Cost of the SAT SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Just like many parts of the college application process, taking the SAT (and even using your SAT scores) comes with an assortment of fees. Here, I'll break down every possible SAT registration cost and score fee. Then, I'll go over strategies for saving as much money as possible on the SAT. Registration Costs for the SAT (Updated for 2019-2020) Registration charges are unfortunately mandatory if you are planning on taking the SAT. Registration-related fees, or add-ons that can bump up your costs, aren't required of test-takers. These extra services could be useful in special circumstances, even though you'll end up shelling out a few extra bucks. Here's a chart outlining the mandatory SAT fees: Fee Cost Description Registration- SAT with essay $64.50 Fee to register for the SAT with the optional essay section Registration- SAT without essay $49.50 Fee to register for the SAT without the optional essay section And here's a chart outlining optional add-on fees: Add-on Fees Cost Description Register by phone $15 Instead of registering online. Available only if you’ve registered for the test before. Late fee $30 Charge for registering after the normal deadline, but before the late registration deadline. Waitlist fee $53 Charge for being added to a test date waitlist after the late registration deadline. Charge is processed only if you end up taking the test. International fees $43-$53 Extra charges for taking the test outside of the US; varies by region Score Report Analysis Costs for the SAT (Updated for 2019-2020) After you take the SAT, you'll want to receive, analyze, and send out your scores. This chart outlines all possible post-test services and their costs. Service Cost Description Receiving scores online $0 Checking your scores online is free of charge. You still need to send official score reports to schools, however. Receiving scores by mail $0 This would take longer than just checking your scores online, but it’s also free of charge. Receiving scores by phone $15 This fee is per call. Score report (first four reports) $0 Enter up to four school score report requests at no cost (up to the Monday nine days after the published test date). Score report (each additional report) $12 After your first four reports, you’re charged this fee per each additional score report. Rush report request $31 This cost is per order, not per score report; there’s no guaranteed report delivery date. This fee is in addition to any fee per score report you're paying. Question Answers Service $18 Only available for specific test dates. You receive a copy of the SAT questions, your responses, the correct responses w/scoring instructions, and information about question type and difficulty. Student Answer Service $13.50 You receive information on question type, difficulty level, and whether your answer was correct, incorrect, or omitted. A watered-down version of the Question Answers service. Multiple choice score verification $55 Charge for having someone manually review your multiple choice answer sheet. Essay score verification $55 Charge for having someone check your essay score for processing errors (your essay will not be re-graded). How to Minimize SAT Registration Reporting Costs As you can see, SAT registration and reporting costs can add up pretty quickly if you're pressed for time, if you want detailed score reports, or if you're applying to a lot of schools. You can avoid a lot of these fees if you plan ahead. Planning ahead can save you hundreds of dollars; your piggy bank will thank you Take the Test Early If you're scrambling to get official score reports to schools before their application deadlines, you might not have a choice but to pay $31 for a rush order. This might happen if you take the SAT last minute, or if you procrastinate in sending official score reports. Although this is unavoidable in certain circumstances, you'll save yourself money (and unnecessary stress) if you take your test earlier rather than later. It takes about three weeks for your scores to be posted after you take your SAT. You should budget another two weeks at the minimum for colleges to actually receive your score reports. In order to avoid rush fees, try to schedule your last SAT no later than five weeks before your scores need to be in. Register Early If you miss the normal deadline and have to register late, you'll end up increasing your total registration costs by about 50%. Registering months in advance won't only save you money - it will also ensure you get the test date you want before al the seats are booked. Having a hard test deadline in mind can also jumpstart your motivation to study; you'll be better able to budget your time. Take Advantage of Free Score Reports You can send up to four score reports for free if you specify the schools you'd like to send your scores to early enough. List the four schools as early as registration, and as late as the Monday 9 days after the published test date. This will save you up to $48. Apply for a Fee Waiver if You're Eligible Low-income families may find these SAT costs to be especially daunting. In an effort to mitigate this financial burden, CollegeBoard offers fee waivers to certain students. You may qualify if you meet any of the following requirements: You're enrolled in or eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Your family income falls within guidelines for free or reduced price lunches Your family receives public assistance You're enrolled in a federal, state, or local program for low income students (e.g. Upward Bound) You live in subsidized housing, foster care, or are homeless You are a ward of the state or an orphan With a fee waiver, you get free test registration and free score reports. You have to apply for a fee waiver through your school counselor; since this can take time, make sure to apply for a fee waiver well in advance of the test dates you'd like to register for. What's Next? We've gone over ways you can save money on your SAT registration and score reports, but did you know that you can actually make money on the SAT? Learn more about how your SAT scores can open up some great scholarship opportunities. Of course, you want to make sure you get the best scores possible, and not just for scholarships. Check out our guide to getting the perfect SAT score. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today!