SAT® Test Policies
Approved Calculators, Special Accommodations, Digital SAT Policy

Are you ready to take the SAT®? Be sure to read this SAT policy guide to avoid any potential violations that might result in your SAT scores being canceled. As a high-stakes exam, the SAT requires students to follow the College Board® guidelines to ensure fairness and impartiality.

SAT Testing and Security Policies

When you register for the SAT, you must follow certain rules and regulations to maintain the test's integrity. To provide fair opportunities, the College Board has developed security measures for the benefit of all test takers. Remember that any violation of these policies may lead to the cancellation of your SAT scores, and you may even be banned from taking the SAT. Read the following policies carefully to avoid any conflicts you may face on test day.

Testing Policies

The College Board requires you to acknowledge, understand, and act following the SAT testing policies:

  • A valid photo ID meeting all the ID requirements and guidelines.
  • Engaging in impersonating others or asking someone to impersonate you is prohibited.
  • Sharing or discussing questions and answers during and after the test via any form of communication is strictly prohibited.
  • If you leave the test center before the test ends, your scores are canceled.
  • You need to adhere to the time scheduled for every section and skipping or switching between sections is not allowed.
  • Using phones, consulting textbooks, electronic devices (except your digital SAT testing device), or other resources during breaks or while taking the test is prohibited.
  • Sharing calculators is not allowed; they should be on your desk only while taking the Math Test. You need to bring your own calculators.
  • If you leave your answer sheet blank, you may be dismissed.

Security measures

The College Board upholds the SAT scoring ethics in the following ways:

  • Report test prep companies and individuals to law enforcement and other government agencies if they are suspected of stealing test content.
  • Collaborating with schools and colleges to find effective ways of informing them if their students are found engaging in unfair practices.
  • Increasing the audits of the test centers worldwide.
  • Making it easier for educators and students to report a suspected cheating event in an anonymous and confidential manner.
  • Expanding the criteria for debarring individuals from taking the SAT for reasons other than its intended purposes.

Consequences of violating security policies

Any violation of SAT rules and regulations may result in the following consequences:

  • You may be denied entry to or dismissed from the test center.
  • Your scores may be canceled, and you may be banned from taking the SAT in the future. The duration of this ban is completely dependent on the discretion of the College Board.
  • Information regarding banned test takers and penalties may be shared with their high schools, prospective colleges, parents, and guardians.

SAT cancellation policy

The College Board charges a nominal cancellation fee depending on when you cancel the exam.

  • If you cancel on or before your SAT test day, the cancellation fee is $25.
  • If you cancel after your test day, the cancellation fee is $35.

Sign in to your "My SAT" account to cancel your test registration. After the cancellation, you will need to register yourself again to take the test at a later date.

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SAT Calculator Policy

The College Board allows you to use a calculator for part of the Math Test, but there are some restrictions on the type of calculator you can use. Not adhering to the rules presented in the SAT calculator policy may lead to dismissal and cancellation of scores.

Calculator rules

When using a calculator for your SAT, make sure to follow the guidelines listed below:

  • You need to bring your own calculator. You cannot share the calculator with others.
  • You can only use a calculator for the “Math Test – Calculator” section.
  • Using a calculator during the “No Calculator” portion of the Math Test or the other tests is strictly prohibited.
  • You are prohibited from using a calculator to share information with others in the exam room.
The SAT digital app includes a built-in calculator for use during the test. You may choose to not bring your personal calculator if you are taking the digital SAT test.

Which calculators are approved for the SAT?

We understand that it might be confusing to know all the brands and models of calculators permitted on your SAT. Remember that you might be banned from taking the SAT if you carry a calculator not approved by the College Board. Check out this SAT-approved calculators list below:

Others: Datexx DS-883, Micronta, NumWorks and Smart2

Do you know why 4-function calculators are not recommended for the SAT?
The 4-function calculators do not perform all the necessary functions that a student would require during the Math-Calculator Test. These calculators only have functions limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and square roots.

Digital SAT Test Device Policies

You are allowed to bring your personal laptop, Macbook, iPad, or Chromebook to the SAT testing room if you are taking the new digital SAT. However, there are a few important test device policies set up by the College Board that you should be aware of. You are forbidden to use:

  • A second computer or any other electronic device like mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, or wearables.
  • Any application other than Bluebook – the testing app.
  • Privacy screens for the device you’ll take your test with.

Calculators with the following features are prohibited:

  • If it can connect to the internet or has wireless or cellular, Bluetooth, audio/video recording and playback, a camera, or other smartphone-like qualities.
  • If it comes with a QWERTY keypad, stylus, or pen input.
  • If your calculator uses electrical outlets, is audible, or has a paper tape.
“Mobile phones and other electronic devices that aren't allowed will be taken from you and kept by the test administration, or you'll have to put them in a backpack away from your desk during the test, even during breaks.”

Violations of device policy

If you are caught with any prohibited electronic device or if your device is found making noise at any time, the administrative staff of the test center reserves the right to confiscate the device. You may also be dismissed from the test center, and your scores may be canceled.

SAT Test Accommodations

To ensure fairness and impartiality for every individual, the College Board provides special provisions called SAT accommodations for those with documented disabilities and lets the students take the test with some modifications.

Who is allowed to request accommodations?

If you have a documented disability that affects your SAT participation, you are eligible to request accommodations from the College Board. The type of documentation required may differ depending on the disability and the accommodation requested. Some examples of disabilities include:

  1. Visual Impairments and Blindness
  2. Physical and Medical Impairments
  3. Learning Disorders
  4. Motor Impairments

You must note that temporary medical or physical conditions, like a broken bone, are usually not considered disabilities, and hence do not qualify for SAT accommodations. For temporary medical conditions, students are usually advised to reschedule the test. However, you can still submit a request for temporary assistance with the help of the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinator.

What accommodations are allowed on the SAT?

It is important to understand that the need for accommodations may vary depending on the disability. If you have a documented disability, you have a good chance of getting the accommodations you need from the College Board. SAT accommodations include the following provisions:

This provision is provided to students whose disabilities impede their capacity to work as fast as other students. Students requesting extended time are not allowed to leave the test center early or move ahead to the next section if they complete their test before the allotted time.
Through this accommodation, students may request extended or additional breaks. This provision is given to students who need breaks to take medicine, test their blood sugar level, rest, or use the restroom.
This is provided to students with visual impairments and blindness. Some examples of this accommodation include test books with large print, braille, raised lines and drawings, re-recorded audio, human readers, and assistive technology.
This accommodation is provided to students with disabilities that impact their ability to record responses due to visual and physical disabilities and dysgraphia. Accommodations may include large print answer sheets or a computer for word processing.
This accommodation is for students with disabilities that impede their ability to perform calculations. In such a case, the four function calculators can be used by students in the non-calculator portion of the Math Test.
These tools are provided to students with physical, visual, and learning disabilities. The assistive technology may include text-to-speech, electronic or talking calculator, or electronic magnifying machine.
Other provisions may include small group settings, preferential seating, school-based or one-to-one setting, wheelchair accessibility, etc.

How to get SAT accommodations?

To take the SAT with accommodations, the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) need to approve your documents. The SSD department handles all accommodation requests from students and provides you with the best options according to your documented disability. You can request accommodations in two ways:

Contact your school’s SSD coordinator and get the Consent Form filled out by your parents or guardians. The SSD coordinator raises the accommodation request, fills out details about the disability, and gathers information about the accommodation plans. The SSD coordinator will inform you what documentation needs to be submitted and notify you about the SSD decision letter.

If you are homeschooled, or your school cannot access SSD online or your family does not wish to involve the school in requesting accommodations, you can submit your request directly to SSD. Once you know what type of accommodation you need, you can fill out the student eligibility form with all the required details, and submit the required documents. You can mail, fax, or email your documents to SSD. Once the decision is made, the SSD will inform you.

How long is the SAT with accommodations?

When you apply for an extended time and additional breaks for your test, the SAT becomes longer than usual. For time and one-half tests (+50%), the testing time increases to four hours and 30 minutes plus breaks. For double time (+100%), the test duration is six hours plus breaks. If you are opting for double time, the test is conducted at your school over a period of two days. The table below explains the duration of each component test for double and one-half timed SAT:

Component Test Time and One-half (50%) Double Time (100%)
Reading Test 98 mins 130 mins
Writing and Language Test 53 mins 70 mins
Math without calculator Test 38 mins 50 mins
Math with calculator Test 83 mins 110 mins

Deadline for requesting accommodations

Requesting SAT accommodations is a lengthy process. It is always good to send requests well in advance as it can take up to seven weeks for approval. Refer to the list below to check the last day of raising requests for the upcoming SAT.

SAT Test Dates (2022 and 2023) Accommodation Request Deadline
December 3, 2022 (SAT) October 14, 2022
March 1, 2023 (SAT School Day) January 10, 2023
March 11, 2023 (SAT) January 20, 2023
March 22, 2023 (SAT School Day) January 31, 2023
April 12, 2023 (SAT School Day) February 21, 2023
April 25, 2023 (SAT School Day) March 6, 2023
May 6, 2023 (SAT)  March 17, 2023
June 3, 2023 (SAT) April 14, 2023
Did You Know? Many schools have now started offering SAT School Day, allowing students to take the SAT on a weekday at their school. For SAT School Day, you do not need to register for the test through the College Board. The SAT School Day is only available to U.S. schools. The schools and districts decide whether they want to offer it or if students should pay the test fee.
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Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)

Sign into your “My SAT” account and click on the “Print Admission Ticket” drop-down menu. A new window will open from where you can directly print your admission ticket or save it as a PDF.

If you do not remember your username or password, visit the College Board website “Sign In” page and click “Need Help Signing In”.

  • Click on choose the “Forgot Password” option. Enter your email address and click on “Email Reset Link”.
  • Click on the “Get help migrating your account” option and click on the “Forgot Username” option.
If you encounter such a scenario, call the College Board’s customer service at 866-315-6068, and they will help you resolve the issue.
Yes, accommodation for extended time is offered to students with documented disabilities. For the time and one-half exam, students get four hours and 30 minutes plus breaks. For the double-time exam, the students get six hours plus breaks.
No, the request for multiple accommodations can only be placed through one application. However, you need to request each accommodation specifically and provide the supporting documentation for each type of accommodation.
Yes, you must request the required accommodations with the supporting documentation, even if you have an IEP or 504 plan.
You should make the request as soon as possible. Even if you do not get a decision letter about the request in time for your test, you can use the approved accommodation for future SAT tests.
You need to submit an accommodation request, specifically mentioning that you require extended time, and submit the supporting documents for your disability. You can also talk to your school’s SSD coordinator for any help that you need.
In most cases, anxiety about the test is not considered a psychiatric disorder and is not considered for accommodations. However, if you have documents supporting your disability, you can always submit a request for accommodations.
To protect students’ privacy, the score report sent to colleges does not indicate that the test was taken with accommodations.

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