Key takeaways:
- Students can send ACT and SAT scores to colleges as early as they’d like, and it could save them money if they selected the schools when they registered for the test.
- Additional score reports cost $15 for the SAT and $20 for the ACT, and students who qualify for fee waivers can receive unlimited free reports.
- Aim to take your last SAT/ACT in October if you’re applying under early application cycles or in December for regular decision.
Flickr user Eric E. Castro
Most students need to take their last test by December, just weeks before the common regular decision deadline of January 1. To make sure your colleges receive your results, we walk you through how you can submit your ACT/scores to colleges, why you might want to send them early, and some must-know due dates.
How do you submit your ACT/SAT scores to a college?
The ACT and College Board (SAT) will submit your scores to colleges for you, as long as you listed the schools on your MyAct or College Board account. You can add as many colleges as you want but it will likely cost you money, especially if you add more than four.
For the ACT: you can select up to four colleges you’d like your score sent to for free when you register for the test. If you add colleges after, it is $20 per test date per report. You can also request your ACT results sent to scholarship agencies.
For the SAT: you can also select up to four colleges you’d like your score to be sent for for free when you register or within 9 days after the test date. Every additional report is $15.
If you qualified for the fee waiver on the SAT or ACT, you have access to unlimited free score reports.
Some schools also allow you to self-report ACT and SAT scores on their applications, which can save you money. They may request the report later, however, to confirm your result.
Can I submit my ACT/SAT scores to a college I haven’t applied to yet?
Yes, you can submit your ACT or SAT scores to colleges early, even if you haven’t applied yet. Many test dates are months before application deadlines, and schools can easily pull up your results later when you apply.
Sending your SAT/ACT scores early doesn’t improve your admission chances, but it could save you money. Since you can select up to four colleges for free when you register for the tests (or up to 9 days after you take the SAT), you can save between $15 and $20 per test per school.
However, free score reports are automatically sent to colleges. If you did poorly on the test, the school will see that score.
When is the latest you can submit your ACT/SAT score?
The latest you can take the ACT or SAT depends on the school and the application process. Results take a few weeks to publish, and students applying under regular decision on January 1 can often take the December test without issue. Those applying under November early action and early decision deadlines need to take the test in October at the latest.
However, if there’s a delay in your test results for any reason, your colleges may not receive your final scores. It’s always advisable to take your ACT or SAT well in advance of your college application due dates to avoid hiccups.
You should also check your colleges’ posted deadlines. Many accept materials, including test results, several weeks after the official deadline partly to account for these delays.
Always verify that your colleges received your SAT or ACT results, even if they’re correctly listed on your MyAct or College Board account. And while you can take the test in the final weeks before your applications are due, you should consider taking the exam more than once in order to improve your score.
One way to set goals for your SAT or ACT is to look at the average results for accepted students at your dream schools. College Raptor’s College Match helps you gain insight into these numbers, your acceptance chances, and more. Sign up today – it’s free!
