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.
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.
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:
FX-6000 series | FX-6200 series | FX-6300 series |
FX-6500 series | FX-7000 series | FX-7300 series |
FX-7400 series | FX-7500 series | FX-7700 series |
FX-7800 series | FX-8000 series | FX-8500 series |
FX-8700 series | FX-8800 series | Graph25 series |
FX-9700 series | FX-9750 series | FX-9860 series |
CFX-9800 series | CFX-9850 series | CFX-9950 series |
CFX-9970 series | FX 1.0 series | Algebra FX 2.0 series |
FX-CG-10 | FX-CG-20 series | FX-CG-50 |
Graph35 series | Graph75 series | Graph95 series |
Graph100 series | FX-CG-500** | **Using stylus is not permitted |
HP-9G | HP-28 series | HP-38G |
HP-39 series | HP-40 series | HP-48 series |
HP-49 series | HP-50 series | HP Prime |
EC-4033 | EC-4034 | EC-4037 |
EL-5200 | EL-9200 series | EL-9300 series |
EL-9600 series** | EL-9900 series | **Using stylus is not permitted |
TI-73 | TI-80 | TI-81 |
TI-82 | TI-83 | TI-83 Plus |
TI-83 Plus Silver | TI-84 Plus | TI-84 Plus CE |
TI-84 Plus CE Python | TI-84 Plus Silver | TI-84 Plus C Silver |
TI-84 Plus T | TI-84 Plus CE-T | TI-84 Plus CE-T Python Edition |
TI-85 | TI-86 | TI-89 |
TI-89 Titanium | TI-Nspire | TI-Nspire CX |
TI-Nspire CX II | TI-Nspire CX II-T | TI-Nspire CM-C |
TI-Nspire CAS | TI-Nspire CX CAS | TI-Nspire CX II CAS |
TI-Nspire CX II-T CAS | TI-Nspire CM-C CAS | TI-Nspire CX-C CAS |
TI-Nspire CX II-C CAS |
Others: Datexx DS-883, Micronta, NumWorks and Smart2
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:
- Visual Impairments and Blindness
- Physical and Medical Impairments
- Learning Disorders
- 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:
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 |
Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)
How do I print my SAT admission ticket?
What if I don't remember my username or password?
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.