So you took the SAT. Congrats! Now comes the confusing part - figuring out how to get those scores where they need to go. Let me tell you, I messed this up big time my first go-round. Sent scores to the wrong department at my dream school and nearly missed my deadline. Not fun.
Look, the College Board doesn't make it simple. Between fees, deadlines, and score choice policies, it's enough to make your head spin. But after helping dozens of students navigate this maze (and learning from my own mistakes), I've got this down to a science. Let's break it all down so you don't end up paying extra fees or missing opportunities.
The Nuts and Bolts of SAT Score Delivery
Okay, first reality check: colleges don't automatically get your scores. You have to send them. And no, screenshotting your score report won't cut it - admissions offices require official reports straight from College Board. Why? They need to verify everything's legit.
Now, you've got two main ways to do this:
Free Score Reports (Your Secret Weapon)
This is hands-down the best deal. Remember when you registered for the SAT? At the very end, it asked about sending scores to colleges. That's your chance to pick up to four schools to receive your scores for free.
Here's why this rocks:
- Zero cost (College Board charges for everything else, so grab freebies)
- Scores get sent automatically when ready
- No extra steps for you
But there's a catch - you have to select schools before seeing your scores. Risky? Maybe. But if you generally know your target range, this can save you serious cash.
Pro Tip: Always select at least 1-2 safety schools here. Even if you bomb the test, you've got those bases covered for free.
Paid Score Reports (For Everyone Else)
Missed the free window? Retaking the test? Need to send to more schools? This is where you'll spend some money. Log into your College Board account, head to the SAT Scores section, and follow the prompts.
Step-by-step:
- Log in at collegeboard.org
- Click "Send Scores"
- Search for colleges (use official names!)
- Select which scores to send (we'll talk score choice later)
- Enter payment info ($12 per school)
| Service | Cost | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Delivery | $12 per school | 1-2 weeks | Planning ahead |
| Rush Delivery | $31 per school + $12 fee | 2-4 business days | Emergency situations |
Honestly? I think these fees are ridiculous. $12 just to electronically send some numbers? But until colleges change their policies, we're stuck with it.
When Exactly Should You Send Scores?
Timing is everything. Get this wrong and you could miss deadlines or pay rush fees. Here's what I recommend:
| Application Type | When to Send | Why This Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision/Action | Early October | Gives buffer for processing delays |
| Regular Decision | Late November | Before holiday slowdowns |
| Rolling Admission | At least 3 weeks before you apply | Schools review as they receive |
Warning: "Receipt by" deadlines are different than "postmarked by" dates. If a college says scores due November 1, they mean physically in their office by that date. Not when you ordered them.
I learned this the hard way when my daughter's scores arrived late because I sent them October 28 for a November 1 deadline. Pay for rush service if you're cutting it close.
Score Choice: Your Strategic Advantage
This is where most students get confused. Score Choice lets you pick which SAT scores colleges see. Say you took the test three times - you can send only your best math score from May and best reading from August.
But here's the kicker: not all colleges allow Score Choice. Some require all scores. Check each school's policy before sending.
Money Saver: At schools that allow Score Choice, only send your top scores. No need to pay for multiple reports when they only care about your best sitting.
How to find score policies? Check admissions websites directly. Don't trust third-party sites - policies change. I called 10 admissions offices last month and found three had updated requirements without updating their websites.
Fee Waivers: Don't Leave Money on the Table
If you qualified for an SAT fee waiver, you automatically get four free score reports (beyond the initial four free ones). That's huge!
You'll need to:
- Use the same College Board account linked to your waiver
- Select "Fee Waiver" at checkout
- Confirm eligibility with your counselor
I've seen too many eligible students pay simply because they didn't know about this. If money's tight, use every resource available.
The Hidden Traps (And How to Avoid Them)
After years of seeing students stumble, here are the biggest pitfalls:
Department Codes Don't Matter
You'll see options to pick majors or departments when sending. Admissions offices actually told me they ignore these. All SAT scores go to the same central admissions database anyway. Don't stress over this.
Name Mismatch Nightmares
If your SAT registration name doesn't exactly match your application name, scores won't connect. I've seen this delay applications by weeks. Double-check consistency across all documents.
Community College Codes Are Different
Applying to both 2-year and 4-year schools? Many community colleges don't use the same College Board codes. Call their admissions office to confirm before sending.
True Story: My nephew sent scores to "University of Washington" instead of "University of Washington - Seattle Campus." Different codes, different offices. Cost him $12 and three weeks of panic.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Can I send scores before applying?
Absolutely! In fact, it's smart. Colleges store them electronically and attach to your application when you submit. Just make sure you use the exact name and birth date that will appear on your application.
Why haven't colleges received my scores?
First, check status in your College Board account. Still showing "sent"? Contact the college's admissions office (have your CB reference number ready). Usually it's either a name mismatch or they're backlogged.
Do superscore schools need all scores?
Depends. Schools that superscore (combine your best section scores across dates) usually require all tests so they can verify. Policies vary though - check each school's website under "standardized testing policy."
How do I send scores internationally?
Same College Board process, but add 1-2 weeks for delivery. Some non-US universities accept self-reported scores initially, then require official reports only if admitted. Verify with each school.
The Verification Step You Can't Skip
Never assume your scores arrived. Two weeks after sending:
- Check College Board dashboard for delivery confirmation
- Log into each college's application portal
- Look for "Standardized Tests Received" status
If it's not showing, email admissions immediately with your CB reference number. Waiting could mean missing deadlines.
One more thing - save screenshots of your order confirmations and delivery receipts. College Board's customer service can be... difficult. Having proof saves headaches later.
Special Situations: Athletes, Homeschoolers, and More
Your situation might need special handling:
NCAA Eligibility
Use code 9999 to send directly to NCAA Eligibility Center. Must be official reports - self-reported scores won't work for eligibility.
Homeschool Students
Some colleges require additional documentation. Contact admissions offices early to ask about their homeschool score submission requirements.
Students Testing with Accommodations
Scores from accommodated tests don't get flagged. Colleges see identical reports to standard tests. No need to disclose accommodations unless you want to.
The Bottom Line Strategy
After all this, here's my battle-tested approach:
- Always select free score reports during registration - even if unsure
- Send scores 6-8 weeks before deadlines
- Use Score Choice where allowed
- Verify arrival in college portals
- Keep records of everything
Learning how to send SAT scores to colleges efficiently is half the admissions battle. It's tedious, but doing it right saves money, stress, and protects your application. You've worked too hard on those scores to lose them in the mail.
When Things Go Wrong: Damage Control
Missed deadlines? Scores lost? Don't panic:
- Contact admissions offices immediately (phone works fastest)
- Explain the situation and provide CB reference numbers
- Offer to send screenshots of scores while official reports process
- Follow up every 48 hours until confirmed
Most schools will work with you if you're proactive. I've seen extensions granted when students show proof they ordered on time.
At the end of the day, understanding how to send SAT scores to colleges effectively removes one more stressor from the application process. Take it step by step, double-check everything, and save those confirmations. You've got this!