SAT 2024: Digital SAT, Registration, Dates, Fee, Eligibility, Syllabus, Score, and Preparation Tips

SAT is conducted by the College Board for undergraduate studies abroad, especially in the US, Canada, Europe, Singapore, and India. About 25,000 Indian students take SAT every year. SAT registration can be done up to five weeks before the test date. Candidates are required to pay an SAT exam fee of $68 (INR 5,668.78), and Indian candidates are required to pay a non-US regional fee of $43 (INR 3,569.86), making the total SAT exam price for Indian students $111 (INR 9253.44). Remember that SAT highest score is 1400. 

SAT has updated its exam pattern. The Digital SAT exam comprises 2 sections: reading & writing and math. There are a total of 98 questions in SAT test, and to be attempted in 134 minutes. The math section includes Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, Geometry and Trigonometry. The reading and SAT writing section passages range from 25 to 150 words. These Passages include literature, history/social studies, the humanities, and science.

The Digital SAT exam in India is a popular exam to take if a student is planning to study abroad.  Starting in spring 2024, all students will take the full SAT Suite of Assessments digitally. SAT exam dates are already released by the College Board, you can visit their official website to schedule your exam. Regular practice with SAT exam practice tests will help the candidates achieve their desired score.

Big Changes in SAT Exam

SAT exams were disrupted by Covid-19 lockdowns, leading many colleges and universities to make SAT scores optional. Additionally, SAT is transitioning to a digital format in the coming years, with plans to be fully digital by 2024. Proctors will administer the exam at testing centers and score it out of 1600. Starting in spring 2024, all students will take the full SAT Suite of Assessments digitally. SAT exam dates have already been released by the College Board. However, SAT Subject Tests are being eliminated, but only for the U.S. The new changes to SAT exam include reducing the test time from three hours to two hours, a wider range of topics for reading comprehension, allowing the use of calculators for the Quant section, providing additional time between questions and sections, and providing faster access to test results within a few days. SAT EBRW has been replaced with the language and writing test, and ever since it has transitioned to the digital mode of test. 

SAT v/s ACT

Both SAT and ACT, have questions from similar topics and are used for college admissions. SAT scores are also different from ACT scores. Candidates can study the difference between SAT vs ACT from the comparison given below:

Why should you take SAT?

There are numerous reasons why SAT is considered significant during undergraduate program admission. The main aim of conducting the College SAT exam in India is to test the knowledge of high school level Maths, reading, and writing to secure admission in undergraduate courses abroad. Here are a few benefits:

• Few grad schools grant SAT scholarships to Indian students based on SAT score
• Improve English speaking skills
• It improves your numerical knowledge.
• SAT scores are helpful for Indian students in getting scholarships.
• Compared to other entrance exams, the fees for SAT are not very high.
• SAT doesn’t include complex science topics which can be easier for non-science background students 
• SAT prep includes only high school maths topics 
• No negative marking for wrong answers on SAT
• The majority of top USA colleges require SAT scores for undergraduate admission
• SAT exam fee is comparatively lesser when compared to the ACT to SAT exams

SAT Exam Overview

In simple terms, yes, SAT is a difficult exam. The candidate has to sit for four hours and answer every type of question from the Maths and English sections. While some questions are direct, some are very complex. The Critical Reading Section of SAT is the most challenging one. JEE and SAT are two different exams based on different parameters. The main requirement for SAT exam is having a good hold of English. Though JEE is also sometimes considered easy if the candidate knows the concepts properly, the formulas can make someone go mad. Whereas in SAT the concepts tested are of 10th standard, and the formulas are also given on the question sheet. 

SAT Exam Registration

You can register online from SAT website, by mail, or by phone. SAT test registration is open throughout the year. Candidates who missed the late deadline date can apply for a waitlist. They have generated three ways for universities to help the candidates:

1. Relaxing the score sending deadlines;
2. Unbiasedness towards candidates who couldn't take the test due to COVID-19 and equally considering them like the ones who could take it;
3. Considering candidates who could only take the test once. 

Online SAT Registration:

• Candidates need to create a profile on the College Board website.
• After the profile is created, fill out the application form by providing Personal Information, High School Information, and Contact Information like mobile number, email id.
• Then create a Student Profile
• Select the Test and Test Center
• Upload a clear passport-size photograph
• Use a credit card or PayPal for payment
• Print the admission ticket for future reference

SAT Registration by Mail:

Candidates need to register by mail, if:

• Requesting testing closer to home
• Requesting Sunday testing for the first time
• Paying by check or money order
• Younger than 13 years old
• Not able to upload a photograph
• Registering through an SAT international representative

To Register by Mail:

• Candidates need to request SAT Student Registration Booklet from a counselor or College Board
• Fill out the application form
• Candidates must mail the form along with a check or money order for the application fee using the registration envelope to
  College Board SAT Program
  P.O. Box 7502
  London, KY 40742-7502

SAT Exam Fees 2024

SAT exam fee is $60 (INR 4970), along with a regional fee of $43 (INR 3562). This brings the total exam fee for Indian candidates to $103 (INR 8532).SAT exam fees vary with the additional requirement of the candidates. Check the table for SAT exam fees and additional service costs:

SAT Payment Methods

The conducting body of SAT doesn't accept cash. You must check for the SAT ID requirements while registering.  There are three ways to pay SAT exam fee:

1. Credit Cards: American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and JCB.
2. PayPal: New PayPal users are required to create an account before beginning registration. Ghana doesn't accept the PayPal method.
3. Check or Money Order: All the money orders and checks are to be delivered to ‘The College Board’ address. Only checks drawn on U.S. banks are accepted.
4. Other methods: Bank draft

How to Cancel SAT Exam?

It may happen that the candidate is not willing to take the test on a particular day, and doesn’t want to reschedule. In that case, they can just cancel their test by not showing up. SAT Collegeboard will automatically not count the results of that candidate. SAT registrations cannot be canceled before five days of the booked test. In case of canceled registration, a partial refund of $10 will be received. The refund processing starts six weeks after the test date. You must consider enrolling for SAT prep classes as some times due to extreme test anxiety, students tend to cancel the test. 

How to Reschedule SAT Exam?

Candidates can change their SAT exam date through the official College Board account. Candidates need to register for the new test date, then cancel SAT registration that is no more required. Candidates need to incur $25 or ₹2064 INR to change before the regular change deadline or $35 or 2941 INR to change after the regular change deadline. There is no deadline for rescheduling SAT test dates. All the sections of reading adn writing and Maths, contribute to the total SAT scores. 

SAT Scholarship

The College Board India Scholars Program initiated in focuses on providing SAT scholarships for Indian students from low-income families with a meritorious backgrounds. SAT scholarships for Indian students offers a 100% scholarship to those students who have scored 1300 on SAT and whose income doesn't meet a specific threshold. Students can apply for scholarships when applying for admission. Collegeboard has connected with Indian universities and founded the India Global Alliance. Through this candidates get the chance to study at some of the topmost international universities like Cambridge, MIT, Columbia, and more through SAT scholarships.