College Board: Full schedule shows when students will get SAT results

Millions of high school students across the United States who sat for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) on Friday, March 14 will receive their scores on Thursday, April 3, according to the College Board. The release follows a standardized timeline the organization uses to distribute test results for its redesigned digital SAT format, launched nationally in 2024.

As college admissions season intensifies, students are closely watching release dates to prepare applications or adjust their plans depending on their scores.

According to the College Board, most students will be able to access their scores by logging into their SAT Suite account on the morning of the release date. Some school systems and state contracts, however, may issue scores through different portals or timelines.

Why It Matters

The SAT remains a key component in the college admissions process, even as some universities have transitioned to test-optional policies. Students and families often rely on timely score releases to finalize applications, apply for scholarships, and make decisions about retesting.

The test’s redesign in 2024 shortened its duration from three hours to two hours and shifted testing to a digital platform.

When Do SAT Scores Come Out?

For those planning future test dates, the College Board provides a general timeline for score releases for students. Here’s a snapshot of upcoming and past SAT score release dates for 2025:

• March 14 Test: Scores release April 3
• May 2 Test: Scores release May 23
• June 6 Test: Scores release June 26
• August 22 Test: Scores release September 12
• October 3 Test: Scores release October 24
• November 7 Test: Scores release November 28
• December 5 Test: Scores release December 19

Students are advised to check their College Board account early in the day, as most scores are posted in the morning but may roll out throughout the day.

Electronic Score Reports (ESR) will be made available for educators after the student score release date. For more information, visit the College Board website.

Do All Colleges Mandate SATs?

Not all colleges require SAT scores for admission. A growing number of institutions have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies where they don’t consider tests at all, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing views on standardized testing equity.

According to research foundation Student Research Group, there are over 2,000 colleges that don’t require SAT or American College Testing (ACT) scores to apply. Student applicants should check out the specific requirements for each institution before applying.

What Happens if You Don’t Take the SAT?

Students who opt out of taking the SAT still have several paths to college admission, especially if they apply to test-optional schools. Admissions decisions may instead rely more heavily on GPA, coursework rigor, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.

Some high school students in states where the SAT is offered as part of statewide assessments may automatically take the test at school. Others may choose to sit for the ACT as an alternative.

Whether or not a student takes the SAT depends on their college goals and the specific application requirements of the schools they’re targeting. But understanding the SAT’s role and the timing of score releases remain a vital part of the process for many students navigating admissions this year.