How to Register for the SAT: Steps, Fees, and Deadlines in 2026

To register for the SAT, sign in to your College Board account, pick a test date and a nearby test center, upload a clear photo, pay the fee (currently $68 in the US, plus $43 for international centers), and print your admission ticket. The whole process takes about 20 minutes online. Here is each step, the full fee structure, and how fee waivers work.

Registration is done online through your College Board account, and it should be completed by the student rather than a parent or counselor so the personal details match your photo ID exactly.

Students testing with accommodations must be approved through the College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities before registering, so start that request early.

The base SAT fee is $68 for students testing in the United States. Testing at an international center adds a regional fee of $43, bringing the international total to about $111. Other charges apply only if you register late or change your plans.

Change and cancellation fees vary slightly and are updated periodically, so confirm the current amounts on the College Board fees page before you pay. You may see an outdated figure such as $55 on some third-party sites; the current base fee is $68.

Eligible low-income students in the 11th and 12th grades can register with a fee waiver, which removes the cost entirely and adds benefits. A fee waiver covers registration for two SAT dates, unlimited score reports to colleges, and waived application fees at many participating colleges.

Students using a fee waiver are also exempt from late registration and cancellation fees. Ask your school counselor whether you qualify; counselors can issue waivers directly.

Each test date has a regular deadline about three weeks before the test and a late deadline about 11 to 12 days before. Registering by the regular deadline gives you the standard fee and the best choice of test centers.

For the full 2026-2027 calendar of dates with their regular deadlines and score-release windows, see our SAT test dates guide. If you need to borrow a device from the College Board, request it at least 30 days before the test.

Once you are registered, your focus shifts to preparation and logistics. Download the College Board's Bluebook app ahead of time, complete the required exam setup, and review what to bring. Our SAT test day guide walks through the full checklist and timeline so nothing catches you off guard.

Q: How much does it cost to register for the SAT? A: The base fee is $68 in the United States. International test centers add $43, for a total of about $111. Late registration adds $38, and changing or cancelling a registration carries smaller fees that vary.

Q: Can I register for the SAT for free? A: Yes, if you are an eligible low-income 11th or 12th grader. A College Board fee waiver covers two test dates, unlimited score reports, and waived application fees at participating colleges. Ask your school counselor.

Q: Who should complete the SAT registration? A: The student should register, not a parent or counselor, so that every detail matches the photo ID presented on test day.

Q: What do I need to register? A: A College Board account, your legal name and date of birth as shown on your ID, a recognizable photo, a payment method or fee waiver, and your chosen test date and center.

Q: When is the SAT registration deadline? A: The regular deadline is about three weeks before each test date, with late registration open for roughly 11 to 12 days after that for an added $38 fee. Check the current date on the College Board site.