Test Day
Tips to help you do your best
- Be well-rested and ready to go. Get a good night's sleep the night before the test.
- Eat breakfast. You'll be at the test center for several hours and you're likely to get hungry.
- Bring acceptable Photo ID and your SAT Admission Ticket.
- Bring two No. 2 pencils and a good eraser—a pencil is required for the multiple-choice questions and the essay. Mechanical pencils are not allowed because they may have the wrong type of lead or punch through the answer sheet. Pens are not allowed.
- Bring a calculator with fresh batteries.
- Bring snacks. You will get a short break at the end of each hour of testing time. You can eat or drink any snacks you have brought with you during these breaks. A healthy snack will go a long way toward keeping you alert during the entire test.
- Unless otherwise instructed, you need to arrive at your assigned test center by 7:45 a.m. Testing should be completed between 12:30 and 1 p.m.
- Make sure you use a No. 2 pencil on the answer sheet. It is very important that you fill in the entire circle darkly and completely. If you change your response, erase it as completely as possible. Incomplete marks or erasures may affect your score. It is very important that you follow these instructions when filling out your answer sheet.
SAT Subject Tests
- If you are only taking one or two SAT Subject Tests, you may leave the test center after your final test is finished.
- You may work on only one test during each testing hour. You will get a short break at the end of each hour of testing time.
- You can take up to three SAT Subject Tests on one test date.
- You can change your mind on test day about which SAT Subject Test you want to take. You may substitute a SAT Subject Test (other than a listening test), or add SAT Subject Tests (other than a listening test) on test day.
- Learn more about SAT Subject Tests.
- Students taking Biology E or M are not allowed to take both tests in one sitting. If you do, your scores may be canceled
Standby Testing
If you miss the late registration deadline, there's still a chance you can take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests as a standby. Test centers accept standbys on a first-come, first-served basis only if they have enough space, testing materials, and staff—so there is no guarantee that you'll be admitted to the test. Standby testing is not available for Language Tests with Listening, center-based SSD testing that requires special formats, school-based SSD testing, or in certain countries. Learn more about standby testing.
