How to Send SAT Scores to Colleges: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Sending your SAT scores to colleges is one of the final and most important steps in your college application journey. Whether you’re applying to universities in the US, Canada, Europe, or elsewhere, read this blog to learn how to send your SAT scores correctly. 

Key Highlights:

• To submit your SAT scores, you need to log in to your College Board account, go to the 'Scores' section, select your colleges, confirm, and pay.
• Send your SAT scores at least 2 to 4 weeks before college deadlines; earlier for Early Action or Early Decision.
• Standard SAT score report delivery costs $12 (₹1090.5) per college, rush delivery costs $31 (₹2817) extra, and electronic reports arrive faster than paper.

SAT Score Report 2026

The score report of the SAT exam offers a comprehensive overview of your performance, providing valuable insights to guide your academic journey. Released online through your College Board account approximately 2-4 weeks after the test, the report includes:

• Total Score (400-1600): The sum of your Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section scores.
• Section Scores (200-800 each): Individual scores for Math and EBRW, reflecting your proficiency in these areas.
• Percentile Rank: Indicates how your performance compares to other test-takers. For instance, a percentile rank of 75 means you scored higher than 75% of the students who took the test.
• Score Breakdown by Topic: Provides a detailed analysis of your strengths and weaknesses across various content areas, such as Algebra, Advanced Math, and Command of Evidence.

When to Send your SAT Scores to Colleges?

Send your SAT scores 3-4 weeks before your college application deadline. Aim to send scores by mid-December for regular decision deadlines in early January. Send SAT scores in early October for Early Decision or Early Action deadlines.

Superscoring or Score Choice?

Superscoring combines your best section scores from multiple test dates to create a higher total, while Score Choice lets you choose which test dates to send to each college.

Check the policy of each college on superscoring and score choice before sending your scores. Send only the scores that highlight your strengths, and consider retaking sections if it could improve your superscore.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Send Your SAT Scores to Colleges

Sending your SAT scores is an essential part of the college application process, and understanding how it works ensures your scores reach the right universities on time. 

Follow this simplified step-by-step guide to make the process smooth, accurate, and stress-free:

Step 1: Log in to Your College Board Account

Go to the College Board website and sign in to your account. If you’re a new user, create an account using your personal details. Keep your SAT registration number and other information ready to avoid delays.

Step 2: Go to the SAT Score Sending Section

After logging in, navigate to the “Scores” tab. Here, you’ll find the option to send your SAT scores to universities, colleges, and scholarship programs.

Step 3: Select Your Colleges

Search for the colleges you want to send your scores to, or pick them from the list provided. Double-check each institution’s score requirements, deadlines, and whether they recommend or require SAT scores. Review your selections carefully before moving to the next step.

Step 4: Confirm and Complete Payment

Once you’ve selected your colleges, confirm your choices and review the total cost; sending reports to additional institutions may involve extra fees. Complete the payment, and your scores will be processed and sent. You’ll receive email updates and confirmations once the reports are dispatched.

Ways to Send your SAT Scores to College

There are a few direct ways to send SAT scores to colleges through the College Board, including using free score reports, ordering standard score reports after viewing your scores, and more.

Here is the breakdown of each method clearly:

Send SAT Scores Using Free Score Reports

You can send up to 4 score reports for free through your College Board account. These free reports can be used during SAT registration or up to 9 days after your test date. Scores are sent automatically once released, without giving you a chance to review them first.

Order Additional SAT Score Reports (Standard Delivery)

If you miss the free window or want to review your scores first, you can order reports after score release. It costs around $12 per college, which is ₹1090.5 and through electronic delivery, your reports will reach within 1 to 2 weeks. It allows you to use Score Choice (sends only your highest scores), where allowed by the college.

Request an SAT Rush Score Report

Rush orders send SAT scores to colleges within 2-4 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). The additional cost is $31 (₹2,817), on top of the regular $12 (₹1,090.5) score report fee. This option is available only for online score reports, not archived scores, which are SAT scores older than five years.

How Long Does it Take to Send SAT Scores to Colleges?

Sending SAT scores to colleges takes about 10 days, and around two weeks for paper score report delivery. Electronic delivery is the faster and more common option, offering a secure transmission of scores to the chosen colleges.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sending SAT Scores

Many students make mistakes like sending scores to the wrong colleges or missing application deadlines. 

Here are the key mistakes to avoid when sending SAT scores:

• Selecting the wrong college code: Double-check the college code before submitting to make sure your scores go to the correct institution.
• Missing deadlines: Send your scores early so colleges receive them on time, and your application isn’t delayed.
• Ignoring Score Choice policies: Check each college’s rules and send either all scores or just your best ones as required.
• Not tracking score delivery: Keep an eye on your College Board account to make sure colleges get your scores.
• Overlooking fee waivers: Apply for fee waivers if you qualify to avoid paying extra for additional score reports.

From the Desk of Yocket

Choosing when and how to send your SAT scores is a strategic decision. Always plan backwards from your college deadlines, use Score Choice wisely, and give yourself enough buffer for retakes or delays. A well-timed score submission can genuinely strengthen your overall application.

If you want to maximize your SAT performance, Yocket Prep gives you structured practice tests, personalized study plans, and expert guidance to help you reach your target score faster. With smart analytics and real exam-like questions, Yocket Prep ensures you walk into test day fully prepared and confident.