The SAT is one of the most important standardized tests for students planning to attend college, and after completing it, the wait for results can feel endless. Whether a student is anxiously hoping for a great score or looking to move on from the experience, understanding the timeline for receiving SAT results is essential. Typically, SAT scores are released about 13 days after the test date. This article provides an in-depth overview of the SAT score release process and what steps students should consider taking after receiving their scores.
SAT Score Timeline: When Can You Expect Your Results?
After decades of lengthy waits (up to 6 weeks in some cases), the College Board streamlined its process. Current SAT multiple-choice scores are now released approximately 13 days after the test date. This faster timeline is a relief for anxious students and gives them more time for college planning.
While the College Board doesn't release scores at an exact scheduled time, students can generally expect their scores to appear throughout the day. Here's how the release usually works:
Early Morning Release: On the release day, typically around 5:00 AM Eastern Time (ET), initial scores start appearing. By 8:00 AM ET, nearly half of all students will have access to their scores.
Evening Release: The second batch of scores is released later in the day, with the remaining test-takers generally able to access their results by 8:00 PM ET.
The College Board sends an email notification when scores are available. This means students do not need to keep refreshing their accounts repeatedly throughout the day.
For students who designated colleges to receive their scores, scores will be sent to those institutions within 10 days of the student receiving them—provided that the colleges were selected during registration.
SAT Score Release Schedule for 2024 and 2025
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the College Board has confirmed SAT test dates and their corresponding score release timelines. Most students can expect their results within 13-14 days after taking the test.
2024-2025 SAT Score Release Table: Traditional Test Dates
As shown in the table, most students will receive their scores approximately 13-14 days after the test. Colleges that you’ve previously selected to receive your scores will receive them shortly after—or you can opt to send your scores to additional colleges for a fee.
When Do SAT School Day Scores Come Out?
The SAT School Day testing doesn’t adhere to the same standardized calendar as traditional weekend SAT dates. Instead, participating schools can choose specific dates within the following testing periods:
Spring testing period: March 3–April 30, 2025
Fall testing period: October 1–31, 2025
While the College Board doesn’t publish exact score release schedules for these testing windows, School Day SAT scores generally become available within 10-14 days after your designated test date. The time frame is similar to the traditional SAT timeline.
What If Your SAT Scores Aren’t Released on Time?
In rare cases, scores might not appear on the release date. If you're one of the unlucky few whose scores are delayed, it could be due to the following issues:
1. Random Test Audits
Sometimes, the College Board selects tests randomly for auditing to verify their scoring accuracy. If your test is part of a random audit, it can result in a delay. However, you will eventually receive your scores.
2. Suspicious Activity or Red Flags
If your test results show an unusually significant improvement—such as an increase of 400-500 points compared to a previous score—the College Board might flag your results as potentially suspicious. Students who've cheated or had irregularities in their testing location may experience delays or even score cancellations.
3. Irregularities at the Testing Center
Operational issues at your testing center, such as scheduling problems or extra time being mistakenly granted to certain students, may also delay your scores.
4. Slow Processing
Finally, delays might happen simply because of processing issues. The College Board handles a vast number of tests nationwide and globally, so scores may be slightly delayed for logistical reasons.
For those affected by delays, contacting the College Board is a good course of action. Checking online forums, such as College Confidential, can also help confirm whether other students in your testing center are experiencing similar issues.
Where to Check SAT Score Updates
Discussion forums like College Confidential often provide real-time updates on score releases. Since many students eagerly anticipate their scores, they’ll post the moment their scores are available. Browsing these forums can help you track general score availability. Additionally, speaking with other test-takers from your school or testing center may help confirm if others have received their scores.
To check your own score, make sure your College Board login credentials are ready. Log in to your account and navigate to the “My SATs” section. Here, you can also check whether colleges have received your scores by visiting the “My Scores Sent To” page.
What to Do After Receiving Your SAT Scores
After accessing your SAT scores, your next steps will depend on the outcome. Here’s what you should consider:
Option 1: Send Additional Score Reports to Colleges
If you’re satisfied with your scores and want to apply to more schools, you’ll need to send additional score reports. Students can send four free reports to colleges during registration or up to 9 days after taking the exam. Beyond that, additional reports cost $14 per school unless you’ve qualified for a fee waiver.
If you’re in a hurry to send scores, the College Board offers rush reporting at a cost of $31 per report, on top of the $14 fee. This service delivers scores to colleges within 1-4 business days.
Option 2: Retake the SAT
If you’re unsatisfied with your scores, retaking the SAT might be a good decision—provided you have time to prepare before college application deadlines. Reassess your study methods and identify how you can improve. For students who’ve taken the SAT multiple times, many colleges "superscore," meaning they will only consider the highest section scores across all test attempts.
When deciding whether to retake the SAT, ask yourself these key questions:
- What is my target score?
- How much time do I have to prepare for another attempt?
- How much improvement have I seen from my previous efforts?
- How many times have I already taken the SAT?
If you have enough time and resources, a retake can improve your chances of meeting college admissions requirements or even qualifying for scholarships.
Conclusion: Manage Your Timing and Next Steps
Waiting for SAT scores is often one of the most stressful parts of the test-taking process, but understanding the timeline and process can ease some of that anxiety. Scores are typically released 13 days after the test date, with notifications sent throughout the day. If scores are delayed, common causes include audits, irregularities, or processing issues.
Once you’ve received your scores, you can either send additional reports to colleges or prepare for a retake if necessary. Regardless of your decision, careful planning will ensure that your scores arrive in time for deadlines.
With this knowledge, you can confidently navigate the SAT score process without unnecessary stress.
Related Posts
Learn how the digital SAT score report simplifies performance metrics, offers visual tools, and helps you focus your prep for top scores.
Confused about SAT percentiles? Find out how they impact your college admission chances and how much your score matters.