Cost of taking the SAT

Hi everyone! I was wondering, do you have to pay for taking the SAT or is there any way to take it for free? Are there waivers or financial aid options available?

Yes, you do have to pay a fee to take the SAT. As of now, the base registration cost for the SAT is $60. There are additional fees for late registration, changing your test center or test date, and other services.

However, if you're facing financial difficulties, you can apply for an SAT fee waiver. Fee waivers are available to eligible 11th and 12th grade students in the United States who meet certain income eligibility requirements or participate in specific government assistance programs. The College Board, which administers the SAT, provides fee waivers to qualifying students, ensuring that test fees do not prevent anyone from taking the test.

A fee waiver covers the full registration cost, and it also provides benefits including free score reports to send to colleges, free access to detailed answer explanations for the online score report, and the option to take the test with the essay portion at no additional cost. Fee waivers can be obtained through your school counselor or another designated school official who can help determine your eligibility and assist you with the application process.

Another option is the Khan Academy and College Board's partnership, which provides free, personalized test prep resources for the SAT. While this doesn't cover the registration costs, it does save you money on test preparation materials, so you can focus on the test fees.

In conclusion, yes, there is a fee to take the SAT, but fee waivers are available for eligible students. Speak with your school counselor for more information and assistance in applying for a waiver.