Taking the SAT® can become the highlight of your application if you’re an international student applying to U.S. colleges. Here are a few reasons why the SAT can be a game-changer:
Gets You Into Competitive 4-Year U.S. Colleges
Submitting an SAT score is a prerequisite at many 4-year colleges. A strong score will help your application stand out among highly qualified domestic and international candidates.
Demonstrates College Readiness
The SAT strongly predicts college readiness and propensity for success. A good SAT score can make you a more competitive candidate for your prospective college by showing you are likely to do well in their programs and graduate.
Balances Out a GPA
SAT scores are often considered a more reliable indicator than GPA when predicting a student’s ability to earn strong grades and graduate on time in college. A strong SAT score can help offset a low GPA or an unfamiliar high school.
Is the SAT Hard for International Students?
The difficulty of the SAT generally depends on how you prepare for the test. However, the SAT may be considerably harder for international students because of:
- Command of the English Language: As all sections on the SAT require reading passages or understanding word problems, a good command of language structure and syntax is important. Understanding tough vocabulary and interpreting data from the given text might be challenging for non-native English speakers. Regular exposure to reading materials and working through SAT practice questions can help build familiarity with common question types and academic vocabulary.
- Broad Syllabus: The SAT mainly focuses on topics students learned in high school. However, you might come across high-level texts and concepts beyond your high school knowledge. Thus, preparing for the new concepts may be a tough task. A well-rounded SAT prep book can be a valuable resource to bridge any learning gaps and provide a solid review of tested concepts.
You can overcome these challenges if you prepare the right way. Read our guide on How to Study for the SAT for tips on studying effectively with a plan. In addition, regular practice is the key to understanding your strengths and working on your weaknesses. You can also boost your prep with a structured SAT online course that offers guided practice and expert strategies to help you stay on track.
SAT International Registration, Fees, and Dates
International students can apply for the SAT directly through the College Board's® official website by following these steps:
- Create your College Board account or use an existing account.
- Fill out the application form with all the required details.
- Pay the fees and submit your photo ID.
SAT International Test Dates and Deadlines
Keeping track of all SAT international test dates and deadlines is essential. Missing a deadline usually results in late fees or prevents you from taking the exam. Refer to the table below for the upcoming SAT international test dates and deadlines. There is no provision for late registration for international students. Make sure that you keep track of the registration deadlines and register for your SAT test before that.
| SAT International Test Date | Registration Deadline | Deadline for Late Registration, Changes, and Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| May 3, 2025 | April 18, 2025 | April 22, 2025 |
| June 7, 2025 | May 22, 2025 | May 27, 2025 |
Note: All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET
Confirmed 2025-26 SAT Test Dates
| Confirmed SAT Test Date |
|---|
| Aug. 23, 2025 |
| Oct. 4, 2025 |
| Nov. 8, 2025 |
| Dec. 6, 2025 |
| March 14, 2026 |
| May 2, 2026 |
| June 6, 2026 |
SAT international registration and score service fees
The SAT international testing fee is $68 plus a $43 international charge. Apart from the registration fee, there are a few additional SAT fees you might have to pay for specific services:
| Service | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test center fee | $24 | Some test centers charge an additional fee. Check out the list here. |
| Change test center | $29 | To change the international SAT test center |
| Late registration | $34 | To register after the regular registration deadline |
| Cancel registration | $29 | To cancel your registration on or before the regular deadline |
| $39 | To cancel your registration after the regular deadline |
Note: If you want to change the test date, you need to cancel and register for a new test.
Read how to change your registration information here. The College Board charges some fees for the score-related services, also:
| Service | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Additional score reports | $14 per report | The first 4 score reports are free. Charges may apply if you are ordering additional reports. |
| Rush reports | $31 | Additional charges are applicable. |
| Get scores by phone | $15 per call | Fees need to be paid by credit card at the time of call. |
| Archived scores | $35 | Additional charges are applicable. |
| Hand score verification | $55 | To know more about this, read our blog. |
How to Get an SAT Fee Waiver for International Students
SAT fee waivers may be granted to eligible foreign nationals who reside and take their tests in the United States or its territories. Outside the U.S., only U.S. citizens who are living in other countries may be eligible for fee waivers.
To receive a fee waiver, you need to meet at least 1 of these requirements:
- You are registered or qualified for the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
- Your family's annual income comes within the Income Eligibility Guidelines established by the Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA.
- You are registered in a federal, state, or local program that supports children from low-income families.
- Your family receives public assistance.
- You are homeless, or you live in federally funded public housing or a foster care home.
- You are an orphan or a ward of the state.
SAT International Policies and Accommodations
Before taking the SAT test, read our blog on what to bring on your SAT test day. For a quick review, be sure to take a printed copy of your admission ticket and a photo ID that meets all of the requirements set by the College Board.
Now, let’s review some of the rules and guidelines. Any violation may result in the cancellation of scores and dismissal from the test center. You are required to acknowledge the following testing policies:
- Asking someone to impersonate you or impersonating someone to take the test is prohibited.
- Using phones, consulting textbooks, electronic devices (except your SAT testing device), or discussing questions and answers during and after the test is not allowed.
- Your scores are canceled if you leave the test center before the test ends.
- Adhering to the time duration for each section on the test is important. Skipping or switching between sections is not permitted.
- Sharing calculators is not allowed, so you need to bring your own. Keep the calculator on your desk only while taking the Math test.
- You must note that in addition to the above policies, different policies might apply to different regions of the world. To know the registration policies for your testing location, visit the College Board’s official website.
You also have the provision to request accommodations for your SAT test. Accommodations are special provisions the College Board provides for students with documented disabilities, allowing them to take the test with some modifications. Students with disabilities, such as visual impairments and blindness, physical and medical impairments, learning disorders, and motor impairments, may raise requests for accommodations. You can contact your school’s Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinator to help you file an accommodation.
For more details about testing policies, the consequences of violating them, and the types of accommodations available for taking the SAT, read our page on SAT Test Policies and Accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is considered a “good” SAT score for international students?
What SAT score is required for a scholarship in the U.S. for international students?
How can an international student get a full scholarship?
Are foreign-born and international students eligible for SAT fee waivers?
References
- International SAT Dates and Deadlines – SAT Suite. (n.d.). College Board. Retrieved on January 06, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/international-testing/dates-deadlines
- International SAT Testing Policies – SAT Suite. College Board. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 06, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/international-testing/policies
- International Fees – SAT Suite | College Board. (n.d.). College Board. Retrieved on January 06, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/international-testing/fees
- Does my test center charge an additional test center fee? – SAT Suite. College Board. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 06, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/help-center/does-my-test-center-charge-additional-test-center-fee
- Canceling an SAT Registration – SAT Suite. College Board. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 06, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/change-cancel/canceling-registration
- International SAT Testing Policies – SAT Suite. College Board. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 06, 2025 from https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/international-testing/policies
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