SAT Score Validity: How Long do SAT Scores Remain Valid ?

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test conducted by college boards that is widely used for college admissions in the United States. It is intended to evaluate a student's verbal, mathematical, and writing skills. The SAT exam is conducted digitally for around 2 hours and students are allowed to take up their exams on their personal laptops at the exam center. The SAT exam has two sections: reading and writing in one section, and mathematics in another section. Each section is of 400 to 800 marks and a total of 1600 marks.

These SAT scores are used by colleges and universities in the United States as a part of their admissions process. In this article, we will discuss SAT score validity, how the validity differs based on the colleges, and how to get access to these SAT scores.

Table of contents

• How long the SAT Score is Valid?
• How to get access to the old SAT score?
• SAT Score Reporting Method
• FAQ

How long is the SAT Score Valid?

Technically SAT score is valid forever and it does not have any expiry date. According to the College Board (1), “Once you have left high school and have not tested for a year, your SAT scores will be archived." For reporting purposes to colleges and universities, these scores can also be retrieved.

However, there are a lot of changes made in the exam pattern of SAT over the past years and it might also change in the future. Hence, few universities do not accept SAT scores which are older than five years.  

According to the College Board, “Official score reports sent to colleges five or more years after a test date are accompanied by a message explaining that they may be less valid predictors of college academic performance than more recent scores.” Thus, the old SAT score will be considered less valid when compared to recent scores.

SAT Score Validity differs based on different colleges

Although SAT score validity is forever, due to the continuous change in the exam pattern, scores, syllabus, etc, certain colleges will not accept old SAT scores. The institution may ask students to retake the exam again to apply for admission to universities.

The SAT exam format has gradually changed over the years. Prior to 2005, there were various analogy questions and the total score of the exam was out of 1600. In 2005, the total SAT score increased from 1600 to 2400. The analogy questions were omitted from the syllabus and a mandatory essay section, arithmetic concepts were included.

Due to constant criticisms, the college board changed the pattern again by bringing back the old total score of 1600 and making the essay section optional. As this pattern is changing constantly, most colleges accept an SAT score valid for up to 5 years.

SAT score is evaluated as mentioned below,

• The SAT score is valid for 5 years
• The SAT score is assessed out of 1600
• Scores for each subject range from 400 to 800, where 400 is the least score and 800 is the highest score.
• The exam results are available to students after two weeks of their examination.
• Colleges have various criteria to select students based on their test results.

If a student has an SAT score older than 5 years, they can still apply for their admission as there are colleges that accept SAT scores of more than 5 years. They should make sure to check the admission requirements of the university they wish to apply to.

How to get access to the old SAT score?

Students' SAT scores will be archived by the College Board after a year of taking up the SAT exam. They can get access to their scores by following the below steps.

Fee payment

Students can view their SAT scores after paying fees to the College Board. There are two ways to obtain the SAT score report.

1. Regular Score Reports: A report for the standard SAT score typically costs 12 USD. Even if a student’s SAT exam validity is still valid, access to older stored scores costs an additional 31 USD. For the old score, the total cost is about 43 USD.

2. Rush Reports: Rush reports can help students get access to an outdated SAT score more quickly to submit it more quickly. Students need to pay an extra 31 USD using this method. The charge to submit the score to the college comes to a total of 74 USD.

SAT Score Reporting Method

Students have two options to request the order of SAT scores after the selection of the score report.

Through mail

The below steps should be followed to order the score report via mail.

• Check out the College Board Website
• Download the archived score report order form
• Fill out all the sections in the form
• Look at the SAT admission ticket and fill in the form with the exact test date and registration number.
• If the student doesn’t have an SAT admission ticket, then they can order the score report using another method.
• Send the completed form and payment by mail to the College Board address.

Through Phone

The below steps should be followed to order the score report through the phone.
Use the College Board customer support phone number shown on the College Board website for your specific region and contact them. To access your SAT scores, the College Board typically needs the following details:

• Student’s name and current residential address
• Test date and registration number if available
• Student name and residential address at the time of taking up the test.
• Credit card number and expiration date
• The score recipient’s college and scholarship program codes
• The cost to order the score report is 15 USD.

Students have the option to compare their scores from various test dates when ordering the score reports and select the top one to send to the college. The College Board delivers a digital copy of the score to the college where it is stored along with other application materials.

Conclusion

SAT score is valid forever but most colleges do not accept scores more than 5 years. Thus, it is better to take up the retest if your desired university does not accept old SAT scores. Students can check out this blog to know more about SAT exam patterns, syllabus, and all the relevant details. You can join Kanan International's extensive SAT Coaching in Chennai, Bangalore, Vadodara, or in any other major city to achieve your target SAT score. 

FAQ

1. How many SAT attempts are allowed?

Students are free to take up SAT exams as many times as they like. But there are usually seven test dates offered throughout the year. Most students take exams twice, once in a junior year and at the start of their senior year.

2. Is there any age limit for SAT?

No, there is no age limit for applicants who wish to take SAT, however, the SAT exam is taken up by high school students aged between 16-19 years.

3. Can I get a scholarship through SAT?

Indian students who have merit and excellence but lack the financial resources to complete their further studies are given SAT Scholarships. For consideration for academic scholarships, an SAT score of 1300 and above is required.

4. Who is eligible for SAT in India?

College Board mentions no eligibility criteria for SAT exam. Since SAT is taken to acquire admission to UG programs, students are advised to appear for their SAT during their 11th or 12th grade.