Anticipating First SAT - Where to Take It?

I'm planning on taking the SAT for the first time this year and I gotta say, I'm a bit nervous. I was wondering, where do most people take their SAT test? Is it at their high school, or somewhere else? Also, do locations get filled up quickly?

Traditionally, the SAT test is held at different test centers which can be high schools, colleges, and other educational institutions. To locate your nearest test center, you can carry out a search on the College Board's website, where you'd just enter your zip code and it'll provide a list of the closest centers.

It's important to mention that starting in 2024, the SAT has gone completely digital, but the test still needs to be taken at an official testing center. You can't just take it from home.

All test centers operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, yes, locations can and do oftentimes get filled up quickly, particularly those in larger cities or towns. If you have a specific venue in mind, I'd recommend registering as early as you can to secure your preferred test location. It can be helpful to have a nearby location, as comfort and familiarity with the surroundings can potentially help reduce test-day nerves.

Remember, the best thing you can do right now is to start preparing for the test. Familiarising yourself with the type of questions that will be asked and the structure of the test through practice tests can help alleviate your anxiety. The new format of the SAT includes two 32-minute Reading and Writing modules and two 35-minute Math modules. Looking into resources like the Bluebook™ app could be helpful, as it lets you preview the digital SAT and even take a full-length practice test. Good luck with your preparations!