How to Cancel Your SAT Score: Timing, Forms, and Advice

So, you’ve just hit “submit” on your last Digital SAT section and...well, things didn’t go as planned. If you’re convinced your performance wasn’t up to par, you might be wondering about the process of canceling your SAT score—ensuring it’s never graded or sent to any colleges. Recent changes have updated this process, so let's break down the latest information.

Should You Cancel Your SAT Score?

Before taking any action, it’s vital to pause and ask yourself: Do you truly need to cancel your score? Cancelling means your test will not be graded and your results will remain unknown to you and any colleges.

Remember, canceling also necessitates retaking the SAT, which means dedicating more time, energy, and financial resources. Take a moment to reconsider—is the score really as bad as you believe? Make sure you’re not acting out of panic and potentially erasing a satisfactory result.

If after careful consideration, you decide that canceling is the best option, continue reading for what to do next.

Key Points About Digital SAT Score Cancellation

Welcome back, now that you’ve decided to proceed with canceling your SAT score. Let’s review the critical basics:

· Once your cancellation request is submitted and processed, your SAT will not be scored or reported to colleges.

· There is a strict deadline for submitting your cancellation. Missing it means your score cannot be canceled.

· You cannot undo a cancellation once it’s finalized. The process is irrevocable.

Canceling Your SAT Taken on a National Test Day (Weekend)

Now that you’re sure about canceling and aware of its implications, let’s tackle the scenario where you took the SAT during a standard weekend test session.

Deadline for Cancellation

For a national test date, you must cancel your SAT score no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time, seven days after your test date.

Example: If you took the Digital SAT on June 7th, your deadline for canceling is Saturday, June 14th at 11:59 PM EDT (equivalent to 8:59 PM PDT if you’re in California).

When Can You Begin the Cancellation Process?

As soon as you leave the testing center, you can begin canceling your score. The moment you exit the exam room, you can log in to your College Board account to initiate cancellation.

How to Cancel Your Digital SAT Online

Here’s how to officially cancel your score:

1. Sign in to your College Board account at mysat.collegeboard.org.

2. Select “My Scores” and identify the specific test date.

3. Click on the link labeled “unsure about scores” next to your test date.

4. Follow the prompts to “agree to the cancellation of SAT scores.” Once you confirm, your cancellation is complete.

Canceling the SAT Taken During School Day Administration

Suppose you didn’t take your SAT on a weekend, but rather during a School-Day session.

What Is a School-Day SAT?

A school-day SAT is when a school or district pays for all juniors to take the SAT on a weekday, typically at no cost to students, in a familiar and comfortable environment.

Need to Cancel a School-Day SAT?

Even in a comfortable setting, sometimes things don’t go well. If you believe your result should not be reported, here’s how to cancel in this context:

School Day Cancellation Deadline

The deadline is stricter: you only have five days after the test date to cancel your School-Day SAT score.

How to Cancel a School-Day SAT

You’ll need to get a student-requested cancellation form from your school’s SAT coordinator or proctor (e.g., a counselor or teacher). Fill out the form with their assistance.

Note: Even if canceled, your score might still be provided to your high school, state, or district if they funded the test administration. However, it won’t be sent to colleges.

Missed the SAT Score Cancellation Deadline?

If you realize too late that you want to cancel—past the seven-day (national) or five-day (school day) deadlines—here’s what you can do:

When registering, you had the option to designate up to four colleges to automatically receive your score for free. If you think your test went poorly and missed the cancellation window, you still might have extra time to change these recipients:

· Weekend Test: You have up to 9 days after your test date to change or remove colleges from your recipient list.

· School Day Test: There is a 3-day post-test window for making these changes.

Suggestion: Consider waiting to send scores to colleges until after you know your results, even if it means paying a fee ($14 per school per test date). This gives you more control over which scores are reported.

Frequently Asked Questions About SAT Score Cancellation

1. Can I cancel my score every time I test?
Yes, as long as you meet the five- or seven-day deadline, you may cancel each time. However, habitually doing this means extra time, effort, and cost to eventually achieve your desired score.

2. What if I miss the cancellation deadline?
If you miss the window, your score will be processed. You may still update college recipients within the extended (3- or 9-day) period as described above. If that period is also missed, your specified colleges will receive your score.

3. Does extra time or accommodations affect cancellation?
No—the process and deadlines are the same for students with accommodations.

Conclusion

In summary, canceling your digital SAT score is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. Make sure you understand the implications, as canceled scores cannot be recovered and will never be reported to you or to colleges. Be mindful of the strict cancellation deadlines: seven days following a weekend (national) test or five days after a school-day test. For missed deadlines, you may still have an opportunity to change or remove your chosen college score recipients within a short period. Whether your SAT was taken on a weekend or during school, knowing the correct procedure and deadlines will help you manage your scores with confidence as you navigate your college admissions journey.