SAT Score Sending: How to Send Scores to Colleges, Deadlines, and Free Score Reports

SAT Score Sending: How to Send Scores to Colleges, Deadlines, and Free Score Reports

Taking the SAT is only half the process — getting your scores to the right colleges, on time, and in the most strategic way is equally important. The College Board's score sending system includes free reports, paid reports, rush options, and a Score Choice policy that lets you control which test dates colleges see. Making the right decisions about score sending can save you money, ensure your applications are complete before deadlines, and present your strongest possible profile.

This guide covers every aspect of SAT score sending for 2026. For SAT scoring fundamentals, see our SAT Score Chart guide. For superscoring strategies, see our SAT Superscore guide.

Your Four Free Score Reports

Every SAT registration includes four free score reports — you can designate up to four colleges to receive your scores at no additional cost. Here is how to use them:

• You can select your four free score recipients any time from when you register up to nine days after your test date
• Once you designate a college, the College Board will send that college your scores from the test date you just registered for (and possibly all test dates, depending on the college's requirements)
• You cannot change your free score report recipients after the nine-day window closes
• If you do not use all four free reports, you lose them — they do not roll over to future test dates

Even if you are not sure which colleges you will apply to, use all four free score reports. Choose four colleges you are reasonably likely to apply to. Sending scores early shows demonstrated interest (which some schools track) and saves you $14 per report later. If you end up not applying to one of those schools, there is no harm — they simply receive a score they will not use.

Ordering Additional Score Reports

After your four free reports, each additional score report costs $14. Here is how to order:

1. Log in to your College Board account at collegeboard.org

2. Go to 'My SAT' and select 'Send Scores'

3. Search for colleges by name and add them to your score report order

4. Select which test dates to send (if Score Choice applies — more on this below)

5. Pay — $14 per report, payable by credit card, debit card, or PayPal

Standard score reports are delivered to colleges within 10 business days of your order. Scores are sent electronically — there is no paper report.

Rush Score Reports

If you need scores delivered faster — for example, approaching an application deadline — you can order rush score reports for $31 per report:

• Rush reports are typically delivered within 2-4 business days
• Rush delivery is only available for scores that have already been released — you cannot rush scores that have not yet been calculated
• Rush is useful for early decision applications (November 1 or November 15 deadlines) if you took the October or November SAT and scores have not yet been delivered via standard reports
• For cost planning, see our
• SAT Costs guide

Score Choice: Controlling Which Scores Colleges See

Score Choice is the College Board's policy that allows you to choose which test dates' scores to send to each college. If you took the SAT three times, you can send only your best test date to one college and all three to another.

How Score Choice Works

• When ordering score reports, you can select specific test dates for each college
• You can send different test dates to different colleges (e.g., March and May scores to College A, but only May scores to College B)
• Score Choice is available for free score reports and paid score reports
• The College Board will never send scores without your explicit permission

Schools That Require ALL Scores

Some colleges require you to send scores from every SAT test date. These schools do not participate in Score Choice:

• Georgetown University requires all SAT scores from all test dates
• Some scholarship programs require all scores even if the university itself accepts Score Choice
• The list of schools requiring all scores changes — check each school's admissions website before sending scores

Even at schools that require all scores, superscoring schools will still use your highest section scores. Sending all dates does not hurt you at superscoring institutions — they focus on the superscore, not individual sitting scores.

When to Send Scores: Timing Guide

Early Decision / Early Action (November 1-15 deadline)

• If taking the October SAT: Scores are typically released 2-4 days after the test. Order score reports immediately upon release for standard (10-day) delivery, or use rush ($31) if the deadline is close
• If taking the November SAT: This date may be too late for November 1 early decision deadlines. However, some schools accept self-reported scores initially and require official scores later — check each school's policy
• Safest approach: Take the SAT by October for early decision/early action applications

Regular Decision (January 1-15 deadline)

• If taking the December SAT: Scores are typically released within 2-4 days. Order score reports immediately for standard delivery, which should arrive well before January deadlines
• The December SAT is the last test date whose scores can reliably reach colleges for regular decision deadlines
• Do not wait until the last minute to order score reports — holiday processing delays can slow delivery

Rolling Admissions

• Schools with rolling admissions accept applications (and scores) on an ongoing basis
• There is no strict deadline, but earlier is better — rolling admissions schools often fill their class as applications arrive
• Standard 10-day delivery is almost always sufficient for rolling admissions

Self-Reported Scores vs Official Score Reports

Many colleges now accept self-reported SAT scores during the initial application review:

• Self-reported: You enter your SAT scores directly on the college application (Common App, Coalition App, or the school's own portal). This is free and instant
• Official report: The College Board sends your verified scores directly to the college. This costs $14-$31 and takes 2-10 business days
• Most colleges that accept self-reported scores will require official score reports later — typically after you are admitted and decide to enroll. If the official scores do not match your self-reported scores, your admission offer could be rescinded
• The trend is moving toward self-reported scores for initial review, with official verification required only from students who enroll

Never inflate your self-reported scores. If you report a 1450 but your official report shows 1380, this is grounds for rescinding your admission. Only self-report scores that exactly match your official College Board scores.

Sending Scores to International Universities

If you are applying to universities outside the United States, the score sending process may differ:

• UK universities (Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, etc.): Typically require official score reports sent directly from the College Board. Some accept self-reported scores initially through UCAS but require verification later
• Canadian universities: Most accept SAT scores and require official reports. The process is the same as for US schools
• European universities: Acceptance of the SAT varies by country and institution. Schools that accept SAT typically require official reports
• Asian universities (NUS, NTU, HKU, etc.): Most require official SAT score reports for admission consideration
• For international test logistics, see our
• SAT for International Students guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to use free score reports: Your four free reports expire nine days after each test date. Not using them wastes $56 in value
• Sending scores too late: Standard delivery takes 10 business days. If you order score reports the day before a deadline, they will not arrive in time
• Sending the wrong test dates: At Score Choice schools, double-check which test dates you are sending. If your best Math score is from March but you only send May scores, you lose your highest Math score
• Not checking if a school requires all scores: If a school requires all test dates and you only send one, your application may be considered incomplete
• Assuming self-reported scores replace official reports: Most schools still require official reports before enrollment, even if they accept self-reported scores during the application review

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a score report after I have ordered it?

No. Once you order a score report, it cannot be cancelled. The College Board sends the report as soon as it is processed. If you accidentally send scores to the wrong school, there is no way to retract them. However, colleges cannot use your scores against you — a lower-than-expected score at a school you did not intend to apply to has no consequence.

How do I know if my scores were received?

The College Board shows the delivery status of score reports in your online account. However, some colleges do not update their portals immediately after receiving scores. If your scores show as 'sent' in your College Board account but the college's applicant portal does not reflect them, wait 3-5 business days before contacting the admissions office.

What if I took the SAT more than once — which scores should I send?

If the college superscores, send scores from the test dates that contain your highest individual section scores. For example, if your best Reading/Writing was in March and your best Math was in October, send both March and October scores. For retake strategy, see our SAT Retake guide.

Track your SAT preparation progress with WitPrep's SAT Practice Hub. Build the scores worth sending with adaptive practice and detailed analytics.

Key Takeaways

• You get four free score reports per SAT test date — use them all by selecting colleges within nine days of your test
• Additional score reports cost $14 each (standard, 10 business days) or $31 each (rush, 2-4 business days)
• Score Choice lets you choose which test dates to send to each college — but some schools (like Georgetown) require all scores
• For early decision deadlines, take the SAT by October to ensure scores arrive on time with standard delivery
• Self-reported scores are increasingly accepted for initial review, but official reports are still required by most schools before enrollment