Yes, you can change your SAT test date, but the window to do it is narrow and comes with a fee

You can reschedule your SAT to a different test date through your College Board account, but you have only a limited time to make the change. The important date to reschedule is typically one week before your scheduled test date. If you miss that window, you cannot change the date—you would have to cancel and register for a new test date instead, which costs more money.

The fee to change your test date is $35. This is separate from the original SAT registration fee. You pay it when you request the reschedule through your College Board account, and the fee is non-refundable even if you later cancel the new date.

Key Takeaways

  • You can reschedule your SAT up to one week before your test date by logging into your College Board account and selecting a new date.
  • Rescheduling costs $35, which you pay at the time of the change and cannot get back.
  • If you miss the one-week important date, you cannot reschedule—you must cancel and register for a completely new test date instead.
  • Canceling your test date refunds your registration fee, but you lose that money if you then register again for a later date.
  • Some test dates fill up quickly, so the new date you want may not be available even if you reschedule within the important date.

How to reschedule through your College Board account

Log into your College Board account at collegeboard.org using your username and password. Go to your SAT registrations and find the test date you want to change. Click on the option to reschedule or change your test date.

You will see a list of available test dates. Choose the new date you want. Not all dates may be available at all test centers—if your preferred center is full on a particular date, you may need to pick a different date or a different test center location. Once you select a new date and confirm, you will be charged the $35 rescheduling fee when ready.

After you reschedule, you will receive a confirmation email with your new test date and test center information. Write down your new test date and center location, and check your admission ticket closer to the new test date to make sure all your information is correct.

What happens if you miss the reschedule important date

If one week has passed since you tried to reschedule, College Board will not let you change the date through your account. At that point, your only option is to cancel the test date you registered for and register for a brand new test date.

When you cancel, you get a refund of your original registration fee (minus any fees College Board charged). However, when you register for the new test date, you pay the full registration fee again, which is currently $65 for the SAT without the essay. This means you end up paying more overall than if you had rescheduled within the important date.

You can cancel your test date through your College Board account at any time, even after the reschedule important date has passed. There is no penalty for canceling, but you lose the registration fee if you do not reschedule within the one-week window.

Test date availability and test center locations

Not every test date is available at every test center. When you reschedule, you may find that your preferred test center is full on the date you want. In that case, you can either pick a different date at the same center or the same date at a different center nearby.

If you need to change your test center location as well as your test date, you can do both at the same time through your College Board account. Check the list of available centers and their hours before you confirm your reschedule, since some centers may be far from your home.

Rescheduling for international test dates

If you are registered for an SAT test date outside the United States, the reschedule important date and fee are the same—one week before your test date and $35. However, international test dates are often fewer and farther apart than domestic dates, so availability may be more limited.

International test centers sometimes fill up months in advance, especially in popular locations. If you need to reschedule an international test date and your preferred date is full, you may have to wait several months for the next available date at your center.

What to do if you cannot reschedule in time

If you realize you need to change your test date but the one-week important date has already passed, cancel your current registration through your College Board account right away. Then register for a new test date as soon as possible. The sooner you register for a new date, the better your chances of getting the date and location you want, since popular dates and centers fill up quickly.

If you are in a situation where you cannot take the SAT on your scheduled date for a serious reason—illness, family emergency, or a documented conflict—contact College Board directly. While they cannot extend the reschedule important date, they may be able to discuss your options or provide information about what happens if you miss your test date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my SAT more than once?

Yes, you can reschedule multiple times as long as you do so within one week of each test date. Each reschedule costs $35. However, if you reschedule repeatedly without taking the test, College Board may flag your account, so reschedule only when you have a genuine reason to change your date.

What if I reschedule but then decide I do not want to take the SAT at all?

You can cancel your test date at any time through your College Board account. If you cancel before your test date, you receive a refund of your registration fee. The $35 reschedule fee is non-refundable, so you lose that money if you had already rescheduled once.

Do I have to take the SAT at the same test center if I reschedule?

No. When you reschedule, you can choose a different test center if you want. This is useful if your original center is full on your new date or if you prefer a location closer to your home. Just make sure the new center is open on the date you select.

How far in advance can I reschedule my SAT?

You can reschedule at any time up to one week before your test date. There is no rule that says you have to reschedule far in advance—you can wait until a few days before your test if you want, as long as you do it before the one-week important date.

Will rescheduling affect my score or my college applications?

No. Rescheduling straightforward moves your test to a different date. It does not affect your score, your score report, or how colleges view your process. Colleges see only the scores you send them, not how many times you registered or rescheduled.