How Much Does the SAT Cost? (2026)

The base fee, the costs people forget, and how to take the SAT for free.

The SAT costs $68 to register in the United States. That base fee covers the test itself and your first four score reports to colleges. The real cost, though, depends on a few extras: late registration, sending more score reports, retaking the test, and how you prepare. Here is the full picture, plus how to take the SAT for free if you qualify.

SAT Cost Breakdown (2026)

For most US students, the all-in cost is the $68 base fee. Testing internationally adds a $43 surcharge for a total of $111, and registering late adds $38. You sign up for the SAT on the College Board website, and our full guide to SAT registration walks through it step by step.

Score Reports: Four Free, Then $15 Each

Your registration includes four free score reports, as long as you order them within nine days of your test date. After that window, or beyond the first four, each additional report to a college costs $15. If you need scores delivered quickly, rush reporting adds $31 on top of the per-report fee.

A practical tip: if you already know some of your target colleges, list them during registration to use the free reports before the deadline.

The Costs People Forget

The sticker price is only part of the story. The full cost of testing often includes:

• Retakes. Each additional sitting is another $68. Many students take the SAT two or three times, so budget for that if you plan to improve your score
• Sending scores to more colleges. If you apply to more than four schools, the extra reports add up at $15 each
• Prep. This is where costs vary the most. Prep books run $20 to $40, while private tutoring and courses can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars

The good news is that effective prep does not have to cost anything. Practicing real SAT questions on Larry Learns is free, and so is the official practice from College Board and Khan Academy.

How to Take the SAT for Free

If the cost is a barrier, you may qualify for a fee waiver, which covers far more than the registration fee. SAT fee waivers are available to eligible low-income 11th and 12th graders in US high schools, and they include:

• Two free SAT tests
• Unlimited free score reports to colleges
• Waived college application fees at many participating colleges
• No late-registration fees on the free tests

You get a fee waiver through your school counselor, who confirms your eligibility and provides a code to use when you register. Combined with free practice, a fee waiver means the SAT can cost a qualifying student nothing at all.

Frequently Asked Questions About SAT Cost

How much does the SAT cost in 2026?

The SAT costs $68 to register in the United States, which includes the test and four free score reports. Testing internationally adds $43 for a total of $111.

Is there a fee to register late for the SAT?

Yes. Late registration adds $38 on top of the base fee. Registering by the regular deadline, about two weeks before the test, avoids it.

How much does it cost to send SAT scores to colleges?

Your first four score reports are free if you order them within nine days of the test. After that, each additional report costs $15, and rush delivery adds $31.

Can I take the SAT for free?

Yes, if you qualify for a fee waiver. Eligible low-income juniors and seniors get two free tests, unlimited score reports, and other benefits through their school counselor.

Does it cost money to retake the SAT?

Yes. Each additional sitting costs another $68 (or is free if you have a fee waiver). There is no limit on how many times you can take the SAT.