The SAT is a widely recognized standardized college admission test administered by the College Board. It is designed to help colleges evaluate a student’s readiness for college-level work by measuring skills in reading, writing, and math.
Today, the SAT is delivered in a digital format and has two main sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. The test is shorter than the older paper-based SAT and uses a multistage adaptive format, meaning your performance on the first module of a section helps determine the difficulty level of the second module.
SAT scores can be useful in the college admissions process, especially when a college accepts or requires standardized test scores. However, your SAT score is only one part of your application. Colleges may also consider your grades, course rigor, essays, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, interviews, portfolio materials, and other requirements depending on the school.
In this SAT guide, we will go through when and where to take the SAT, what score you should aim for, how much the test costs, what the test includes, and how to prepare effectively.
When and Where Should You Take the SAT?
The best time to take the SAT depends on your college application timeline, current preparation level, and target score. Many students take the SAT for the first time in the spring of junior year and then retake it in the fall of senior year if they want to improve their score. International students should also check test availability early because popular test centers can fill up quickly.
To find the most accurate test dates and available locations, use the official College Board SAT test center search. You can also review registration deadlines, late registration deadlines, and change deadlines on the official SAT dates and deadlines page.
What SAT Score Should You Aim For?
A good SAT score depends on the colleges you plan to apply to. A score that is competitive for one university may be below average for another, so it is important to research the score ranges of admitted students at your target schools.
According to the College Board, the average SAT score is around 1050. A score above 1050 is considered above average, while a score of 1350 or higher places a student in the top 10% of SAT test takers.
However, you should not choose your target score based only on the national average. Instead, make a list of colleges you are interested in and check each school’s admitted student score range. If your goal is to apply to selective universities, you may need to aim for a much higher score. If your chosen schools are test-optional, submitting your SAT score may still help if it strengthens your application.
SAT Fees and Score Service Costs
The SAT registration fee is currently $68. Students testing outside the United States or U.S. territories pay an additional $43 international fee. Some test centers outside the United States may also charge an additional test center fee.
College Board lists the following additional registration fees through December 2026:
| Service | Fee | Details |
|---|
| Test center fee | $24 | Applies only at select test centers outside the United States. Check whether your selected location charges this fee before registering. |
| Change test center | $34 | Applies when you change your test center only. To change the test date, you must cancel and register for a new test. |
| Cancel fee | $34 | Applies when canceling your registration by the change deadline. |
| Late cancel fee | $44 | Applies when canceling after the change deadline, by Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day. |
| Late registration | $38 | Applies when registering after the regular deadline but before the late registration deadline. |
Your first four score reports are free if you order them by nine days after the test date. Additional score reports or reports ordered after that nine-day period require a fee.
| Score Service | Fee | Details |
|---|
| Additional score reports | $15 per report | Applies to additional reports or reports ordered after the free nine-day window. |
| Rush reports | $31 | Additional score report fees also apply. |
| Get scores by phone | $15 per call | Available at the same time as online scores. Payment by credit card is required at the time of the call. |
| Archived scores | $35 | Additional score report fees also apply. |
| Score verification | $55 | Students must contact College Board Customer Service for score verification. |
Because SAT fees can change, students should always check the latest information on the official College Board SAT test fees page before registering.
SAT Format and Test Sections
The digital SAT has two official sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. The total testing time is 2 hours and 14 minutes, not including the 10-minute break between sections.
Each section is divided into two equal-length modules. The first module includes a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. Based on your performance in the first module, the second module will contain questions that are either more difficult or less difficult.
| SAT Section | Time | Number of Questions |
|---|
| Reading and Writing | 64 minutes, divided into two 32-minute modules | 54 questions |
| Math | 70 minutes, divided into two 35-minute modules | 44 questions |
| Total | 134 minutes | 98 questions |
Reading and Writing Section
The Reading and Writing section presents short reading passages or passage pairs, each followed by one multiple-choice question. Passages are usually 25 to 150 words long and may come from literature, history, social studies, the humanities, and science.
This section measures four main content domains: Information and Ideas, Craft and Structure, Expression of Ideas, and Standard English Conventions. In practical terms, students should be ready to identify central ideas, use evidence, understand vocabulary in context, evaluate how texts are written, improve sentence flow, use transitions, and apply grammar and punctuation rules.
Math Section
The Math section is 70 minutes long and includes 44 questions across two modules. Most questions are multiple choice, while some require students to enter their own answers.
The Math section focuses on Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry. Calculators are allowed throughout the Math section. Students can use the Desmos calculator built into Bluebook or bring an approved handheld calculator.
To do well on SAT Math, students should practice both calculator-based and non-calculator strategies. While the calculator can be helpful, strong algebra skills, careful reading, estimation, and efficient problem-solving are still very important.
How to Prepare for the SAT
Preparing for the SAT is not just about studying harder. It is about studying consistently, understanding the test format, and reviewing your mistakes carefully. The following steps can help you prepare more effectively.
1. Create a Study Plan
Start by choosing your target score and test date. Then, work backward to create a weekly study plan. Give yourself enough time to review both sections of the test, take full-length practice tests, and improve weak areas before test day.
A strong study plan should include a balance of content review, timed practice, and mistake analysis. For example, you might spend one day reviewing grammar, another day practicing algebra, and another day reviewing missed questions from a practice test.
2. Take Official Practice Tests
Official full-length SAT practice tests are available through Bluebook, the College Board’s digital testing app. These practice tests are especially useful because they help you become familiar with the digital format, timing, tools, and adaptive structure of the test.
After completing a practice test, review your score report carefully. Do not only check which questions you missed. Try to understand why you missed them. Did you misunderstand the passage? Make an algebra mistake? Run out of time? Choose an answer too quickly? This review process is one of the most important parts of SAT preparation.
3. Use Official SAT Prep Resources
College Board provides several official resources to help students prepare. These include full-length digital practice tests on Bluebook, the Student Question Bank, and free Official SAT Prep on Khan Academy.
Khan Academy can be especially helpful because it includes practice questions, lessons, videos, and hints. Students can use it to focus on the exact skills they need to improve in Reading and Writing or Math.
4. Review Content and Test Strategies
For Reading and Writing, practice identifying main ideas, using evidence, understanding words in context, improving sentence structure, using transitions, and applying grammar rules. Because each passage is short, students must learn how to read efficiently and focus on the specific skill being tested.
For Math, review algebra, functions, equations, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry. Make sure you can solve problems accurately, but also practice choosing efficient methods. Sometimes the fastest solution involves substitution, estimation, graphing, or using the answer choices strategically.
Useful SAT strategies include eliminating clearly incorrect answer choices, pacing yourself by module, flagging difficult questions for review, and learning from repeated mistake patterns. Over time, these strategies can help you become more confident and efficient.
We hope this article has been helpful. Make sure to also check out our Scholarships Page and available courses for international students!
