If you’re a high school student in the United States preparing for college admissions, one of the most important tasks on your checklist is to register for SAT. The SAT plays a major role in college applications, scholarship opportunities, and merit-based financial aid. Although many universities have become test-optional, SAT scores still give students an edge—especially in competitive admissions.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to register for SAT online step-by-step, what documents you need, how to choose the best test date, tips for fee waivers, and how to avoid common registration mistakes. This guide is regularly updated and fully focused on the USA SAT registration process through the College Board website.

Let’s begin!

Why SAT Registration Matters

Before you register for SAT, it’s important to understand why students across the United States still take the exam:

• Colleges may consider SAT scores for admissions, even if optional

• SAT scores help with merit scholarships

• Some states use SAT for school or district assessments

• High scores can strengthen your application at selective institutions

• International students often require SAT for US admissions

Because SAT seats can fill up quickly—especially during fall test dates—you should complete the registration process early.

Where to Register for SAT Online

There is only one official platform to register for SAT:

➡ College Board Website: https://www.collegeboard.org

All U.S. and international students use the same portal.

Beware of third-party websites claiming to register you—they are NOT authorized.

Before You Register for SAT: What You Need

To avoid delays, gather the following before you begin:

1. College Board Account

You either create a new account or use an existing one.
Don’t use a parent’s account—your personal information must match school records.

2. Valid Photo Identification

Acceptable IDs in the USA include:

• Driver’s license

• State ID

• School ID

• Passport

• Federal or military ID

Your ID photo must:

• Be clear and recent

• Match your appearance

• Not include sunglasses or filters

3. Recent Digital Photo to Upload

College Board requires a photo that:

• Shows your face clearly

• Has a plain background

• Is JPEG, JPG, or PNG

• Is between 480×600 and 960×1200 pixels

4. Payment Method

SAT fees (as of 2025):

• SAT Registration Fee: $60

• Additional regional or domestic fees may apply

Payment accepted:

• Debit/credit card

• PayPal

• Fee waiver (if eligible)

5. Decide on Test Date & Location

Consider:

• College deadlines

• Scholarship timelines

• Availability of nearby testing centers

Early fall dates get booked fastest, especially in major cities like NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Atlanta.

⭐ How to Register for SAT Online — Step-by-Step Guide

Below is a fully detailed step-by-step process to help you register for SAT without confusion.

Step 1: Visit the College Board Website

Go to:

https://mysat.collegeboard.org

Click “Register for SAT” to begin.

If you don’t have an account:

• Click “Create Account”

• Enter your legal name, email, birthday, and high school details

Important:
Use your real name exactly as it appears on your ID.

Step 2: Start a New SAT Registration

Once logged in, you will see a dashboard with SAT options. Click:

“Register for the SAT”

This opens the official SAT registration workflow.

Step 3: Enter Personal Information

You will fill out:

• Legal name

• Date of birth

• Address

• High school information

• Expected graduation year

Make sure everything matches your school records and ID.

Tip:

Incorrect names or birthdays can prevent you from entering the test center.

Step 4: Answer Optional Student Profile Questions

College Board may ask questions about:

• GPA

• Courses taken

• Intended major

• Career interests

These questions are optional and mainly used for college recommendations.
You can skip them without affecting your exam.

Step 5: Choose Your SAT Test Date

SAT is offered several times a year in the USA, usually:

• March

• May

• June

• August

• October

• November

• December

When selecting a date:

• Check your college application deadlines

• Choose a date that gives enough time for preparation

• Avoid scheduling during AP exams or school finals

Step 6: Choose the Testing Center

You can search test centers by:

• ZIP code

• City

• State

Consider:

• Distance

• Parking availability

• Seating capacity

• Whether the center gets full quickly

Large U.S. school districts fill up fast.
If seats near you are unavailable, expand your ZIP code radius.

Step 7: Upload Your Photo

Upload a high-quality, ID-matching photo.

Common errors to avoid:
❌ Cropped head
❌ Side-angle photo
❌ Filters
❌ Selfies with poor lighting

Your photo must match your appearance on test day.

Step 8: Pay the Registration Fee

You can pay using:

• Debit/credit card

• PayPal

• SAT Fee Waiver

If you are eligible for a fee waiver (low-income U.S. students), your school counselor can provide one. Fee waiver benefits include:

• Free SAT registration

• Free score reports

• Two free CSS Profile submissions

• College application fee waivers at participating colleges

Step 9: Confirm and Submit

Review your details:

• Name

• Test date

• Location

• Photo

Click “Confirm and Register”.

Your SAT Admission Ticket will be generated.

Step 10: Print Your Admission Ticket

You must bring a printed ticket to the test center.
Save a digital copy on your phone as backup, but the printed ticket is required.

SAT Registration Fees (USA 2025)