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After several years of the “test-optional” policy, many top U.S. universities are now requiring standardized test scores as part of their admissions process. Because of this, the SAT is once again one of the most important factors in college admissions for high school students. To efficiently prepare for application season, it’s essential for students to know when their SAT scores are released and how to interpret them.
When Are SAT Scores Released?
According to the College Board, SAT scores should typically be available online in your College Board account about two weeks (13–14 days) after your test day.
For SAT Weekend test dates between August and December 2025, here are the official release dates:
Test Date | Score Release Date |
Aug. 23, 2025 | Sept. 5, 2025 |
Sept. 13, 2025 | Sept. 26, 2025 |
Oct. 4, 2025 | Oct. 17, 2025 |
Nov. 8, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 |
Dec. 6, 2025 | Dec. 19, 2025 |
What Time Will SAT Scores Be Released?
Because thousands of students take the test on the same day, scores are not released all at once. On the scheduled release date, you may see your scores anytime between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
You’ll get an email when your scores are ready, or you can check them through your College Board account or the BigFuture School app.
What If My Scores Aren’t Released That Day?
It’s not uncommon for some scores to be delayed. If yours don’t appear on release day, here are a few things you can do:
- Check your account information: make sure your address, school, and other details are up to date. Use the Find Your Scores Tool if needed.
- See if you have another College Board account: sometimes, parents or counselors at your schools create accounts for students. Try signing out and checking other accounts.
How Can I Check My Scores?
When scores are ready, you’ll receive a detailed online score report. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to access it:
Step 1: Go to the Student Score Report homepage at studentscores.collegeboard.org.
Step 2: Log in with your College Board student account (must be age 13 or older).
Step 3: Your most recent score will appear at the top of the page. Click “See Additional Scores” to review previous SAT or PSAT results.
Step 4: Select “See Score Details” for insights, including:
- Your performance in comparison with college readiness benchmarks
- Percentile rankings across school, state, national, and global levels
- Strengths and weaknesses in Reading & Writing and Math domains
What Do Your Scores Mean?
Your SAT score report gives you and colleges a clear picture of your academic performance. Here’s what you’ll find:
- Total Score (400–1600): This is the combined score from both the Reading and Writing section and the Math section.
- Reading and Writing Section Score (200–800): Reflects your ability to understand, analyze, and use written information.
- Math Section Score (200–800): Measures your problem-solving skills and understanding of mathematical concepts.
- Essay Scores (optional): If you took the SAT with Essay as part of state in-school testing, you’ll also see separate essay scores.
Together, these scores provide colleges with a snapshot of your academic readiness and important academic skills, helping admissions officers evaluate how prepared you are for the demands and rigors of higher education.
Upcoming SAT Test Dates (2025–2026)
Here are the official SAT test dates with registration deadlines for the 2025–2026 school year:
SAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration & Changes Deadline |
Aug. 23, 2025 | Aug. 8, 2025 | Aug. 12, 2025 |
Sept. 13, 2025 | Aug. 29, 2025 | Sept. 2, 2025 |
Oct. 4, 2025 | Sept. 19, 2025 | Sept. 23, 2025 |
Nov. 8, 2025 | Oct. 24, 2025 | Oct. 28, 2025 |
Dec. 6, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Nov. 25, 2025 |
Mar. 14, 2026 | Feb. 27, 2026 | Mar. 3, 2026 |
May 2, 2026 | Apr. 17, 2026 | Apr. 21, 2026 |
June 6, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 |
How to Calculate Your SAT Superscore
Many colleges consider your SAT Superscore, which highlights your best performance across multiple test dates. Rather than looking at just one test, the Superscore combines your highest section scores to give you the strongest possible total.
Here’s how it works:
- Review all of your SAT test results.
- Take the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score across test sessions.
- Take the highest Math score across test sessions.
- Add these two numbers together to get your Superscore.
It’s important to note that if you took the SAT with Essay on one test date and without it on another, colleges will still Superscore your Reading and Writing and Math sections across both versions.
Example:
Test | Reading & Writing | Math | Composite |
Test 1 | 590 | 500 | 1090 |
Test 2 | 700 | 480 | 1180 |
Superscore | 700 | 500 | 1200 |
This system allows you to showcase your strongest academic results and can give you an advantage when applying to colleges that accept Superscoring.
Sending SAT Scores to Colleges
When you register for the SAT or take it in school, you’ll have the option to choose colleges or scholarship programs to receive your scores. If you made selections at that time, your scores will automatically be sent once they’re available.
If you didn’t select any recipients on test day or if you want to add more institutions, you can still send your scores after the results are out by following these steps:
- Log in to your College Board account. Go to the SAT section and find the option to send scores.
- Choose your recipients: select colleges, universities, or scholarship programs that you’d like to receive your scores.
- Review and confirm: double-check that you’ve selected the right institutions before submitting.
Keep in mind that while sending scores to a limited number of colleges is free during registration, additional score reports may require extra fees. Be sure to plan ahead so you can meet application deadlines without added stress.
Understanding the SAT score release process allows you to stay on top of important deadlines and strategically highlight your results in your college applications. By keeping track of both your test dates and score release dates, you can plan ahead and avoid the pressure of meeting last-minute requirements. It is equally important to check the SAT score submission deadlines for each of your target colleges so you have enough time to send in your results.
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