How Much Do the SAT and SAT Subject Tests Cost?
Whether you’re planning to take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, you might be wondering what these exams cost. Keep reading to find out how much you can expect to pay for these college entrance tests.
What Is the SAT and How Much Does It Cost?
As a high school student, you’re probably familiar with the SAT. Also known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the SAT includes Reading and Math sections, as well as an optional Essay component.
Students registering for the SAT can expect to spend $49.50 to take just the Reading and Math portions of the test. Signing up for the SAT with the Essay will cost you $64.50. It’s worth noting that the late registration fee is $30, so signing up on time is the best way to avoid shelling out extra money. Registration deadlines usually occur one month before the test date.
What Are the SAT Subject Tests and How Much Do They Cost?
Also known as SAT IIs, the SAT Subject Tests focus on an individual subject, are one-hour long, and are all multiple choice. Subject Tests are based around five general areas of study: English, history, languages, math, and sciences. Students can choose from the following multiple-choice tests within these general fields:
- Math Level 1
- Math Level 2
- Biology E/M
- Chemistry
- Physics
- U.S. History
- World History
- Literature
- Spanish
- Spanish with Listening
- French
- French with Listening
- Chinese with Listening
- Italian
- German
- German with Listening
- Modern Hebrew
- Latin
- Japanese with Listening
- Korean with Listening
Like the reading and math sections of the SAT, the Subject tests are graded on a 200 to 800 scale.
Unlike the traditional SAT, the Subject Tests feature both a registration fee and a fee for each individual test. The price to register for the exams is $26, which covers one testing date. During this time, you can take up to three Subject Tests at a rate of $22 each. Language Tests with Listening cost $26 each.
Cost of SAT and SAT Subject Test Score Reports
When you sign up to take the SAT or the SAT Subject Tests, you will automatically receive four registration score reports for free. We don’t recommend that students use these reports, as you won’t know your score before it’s sent out. If finances are an issue, see if you qualify for a fee waiver (discussed in the next section)
After you receive your test scores, score reports for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests cost an additional $12 per document. For rush service within two to four business days, expect to pay $31 per score report. Opting to register for these tests by phone costs an addition $15, and changing your testing date will run you $28.
Some students opt to have their tests hand scored rather than just scored by the computer. You can request a manual review of your entire answer sheet for $55. Asking for a review of just one portion of the SAT is not permitted.
Here’s a table with a summary of the costs for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests:
| SAT | SAT Subject Tests | |
| Registration | $49.50 ($64.50 with Essay) | $26 (+ $22 per Test and $26 per Language Listening Test) |
| Late registration fee | $30 | $28 |
| Date change fee | $30 | $30 |
| Extra score report | $12 ($31 for rush order) | $12 ($31 for rush order) |
| Manual review | $55 | $55 |
Understanding SAT Fee Waivers
It’s no secret that the college admissions process is an expensive one. If you’re looking to cut costs, it might be worth investigating whether you qualify for a fee waiver.
With a fee waiver, you have the following benefits:
- 2 free SAT registrations
- 6 free SAT Subject Tests
- 2 free Question-and-Answer-Service or Student Answer Service reports
- Unlimited free score reports
- Waived application fees at certain colleges
- Unlimited CSS Profile Fee Waivers
To qualify for these benefits, you have to be a high school student who lives in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. American citizens living outside the country may also be eligible for waivers. Generally, students who meet one or more of the following criteria can receive a fee waiver on the SAT:
- Be enrolled in or eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Have a family income within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
- Be part of a program aiding students from low-income families
- Receive public assistance
- Live in public housing or a foster home or be homeless
- Be an orphan or ward of the state
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