SAT Exam 2026 for Indian Students: Fees, Dates, Registration, Syllabus & Results

The full form of SAT is Scholastic Assessment Test. It is a standardised entrance exam conducted by the College Board for students applying to undergraduate courses abroad. In India, most students take the SAT after Class 11 or during Class 12, when they start planning their college applications.

The SAT is a multiple-choice (MCQ) exam that tests skills in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Since 2024, the exam has been conducted in a fully digital format at test centres and is shorter than the earlier paper-based SAT.

Universities use SAT scores along with school grades and other application details to understand a student’s academic readiness.

The SAT exam does not have strict eligibility rules. Most students who take the exam are high school students planning for undergraduate admissions. Here’s what you need to know:

• Age: There is no fixed age limit for the SAT. Most test takers are between 17 and 19 years old.
• Class level: Students usually take the SAT after Class 11 or during Class 12.
• Who can register: Students from different education boards can register. Younger students can apply with help from a parent or guardian.
• Attempts: There is no limit on the number of times you can take the SAT.

Who Takes the SAT Exam?

Each year, around 2 million students take the SAT for undergraduate admissions. In most cases, the exam is taken by:

• Students in Class 11 or Class 12, usually while preparing college applications
• Indian students applying to universities in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore
• Applicants to Indian private universities such as Ashoka University, Shiv Nadar University, and O.P. Jindal Global University
• Students aiming for merit-based scholarships, where SAT scores can support the application
• Students on a gap year who want to strengthen their academic profile before applying

For students taking the SAT in India, the total SAT fees come to around $131 (approximately ₹11,800). This amount includes the base registration fee, the international fee, and applicable GST.

Mandatory SAT Registration Fee India

Additional Service & Change Fees

These optional fees apply only if you register late or need to make changes to your existing booking.

Note: Approximate INR values are based on an exchange rate of 1 USD ≈ ₹91.20. Rates vary daily, so please check the current rate before paying.

The SAT exam cannot be rescheduled. To change the exam date, you must cancel your existing registration, pay the cancellation fee, and then register again for a new date by paying the SAT exam fees.

Mode of Payments for SAT Exam Fees in India

For SAT registration from India, payments must be made online through options approved by the College Board.

• Credit or debit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB are accepted. Many Indian cards have international payments turned off by default, so make sure international and online usage is enabled before paying.
• PayPal: A good backup option if card payment fails. You can link your Indian bank account or card to PayPal and complete the payment securely.

Students who qualify for a SAT fee waiver must apply in advance and use the voucher code at checkout. This is the only way to get a reduced SAT exam fee.

Payment options may change, so always check the latest details on the College Board website before completing payment.
 

SAT Scholarships and Fee Waivers

A strong SAT score can help you in more ways than one. Apart from admissions, it can also bring down the overall cost of college, which matters a lot when you’re planning your finances early.

• College Board India Scholars Program: If your family income is below ₹8 lakh, you may be eligible for a SAT fee waiver of up to 90% through this program. In some cases, partner universities in India also offer significant tuition support based on SAT performance.
• Merit-based scholarships abroad: Many universities, especially in the USA and Canada, use SAT scores to offer automatic merit scholarships. Depending on your score, these can range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year (roughly ₹4.6 lakh to ₹22.8 lakh), often without a separate application.

Booking your SAT exam date early helps you avoid late fees and gives you more flexibility with SAT prep and retakes. For 2026, spring test dates are confirmed, while fall dates follow the usual College Board pattern and are released closer to the testing window. 

Confirmed Spring 2026 Dates

Anticipated Fall 2026 Dates

These SAT exam dates are based on the College Board’s projected schedule for the 2026-27 testing year. Official registration for these dates typically opens in late spring or early summer of 2026.

Why Plan for Fall Dates?

While many students aim for the spring window, the fall dates (August–December) are useful for:

• Early Decision/Action: August and October scores are usually the last ones accepted for early university application rounds in the US.
• Score Improvement: If your spring results weren't what you hoped for, the August and October windows provide a great opportunity to re-test after summer preparation.
• Indian University Admissions: For students applying to Indian colleges like Ashoka or Shiv Nadar, having a score ready by late 2026 is ideal for the first round of domestic applications.

Pro Tip: If you need to borrow a digital device from the College Board for your exam, you must register and submit your request at least 30 days before your chosen test date.

The SAT is conducted in over 164 test centres across 44+ Indian cities, ensuring accessibility for students across the country. These centres are primarily located in major metropolitan hubs and tier-2 cities.

Complete List of Cities with SAT Centres

If you are not located in a major hub, you can find centres in the following cities:

• North India: Amritsar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gurugram, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mohali, Mussoorie, Noida, Rohtak, Sonepat.
• South India: Coimbatore, Erode, Kochi, Kodaikanal, Madurai, Ooty, Trivandrum, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam.
• West & Central India: Aurangabad, Bhopal, Goa, Indore, Nagpur, Nasik, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara.
• East India: Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Ranchi.

To check SAT centres in your city, you can use the College Board test centre search tool or refer to our detailed SAT test centre guide for a city-wise list.

To take the SAT, the first step is SAT registration. Most students complete their SAT exam registration 3-4 months before university deadlines, which also gives enough time for proper SAT prep and a second attempt if needed.

How to register for the SAT:
 

1. Sign up on the College Board website: Create an account on the official website of the College Board.

2. Complete your details: Fill in your personal information carefully. Indian students must use their passport details, as the passport is required for SAT registration and verification on exam day.

3. Choose test date and SAT test centre: Select your preferred exam date and choose a SAT test centre from the available locations across India.

4. Pay the SAT exam fees: Complete your SAT registration by paying the applicable SAT exam fees online.

5. Download the SAT admission ticket: After registration, download your SAT admission ticket from your account. You must carry this along with your passport to the SAT test centre.

The Digital SAT is taken on a computer and is shorter than the earlier paper-based exam. The test is divided into two main sections: Reading & Writing and Mathematics.

Each section has two parts. How you perform in the first part decides the level of the second part. You do not need to worry about this while taking the test. Just focus on answering each question well.
 

Here is the SAT exam structure for 2026:

Key Features of the Digital Format:

• In the Reading & Writing section, passages are short (around 25-150 words), and each passage has only one question.
• In the Math section, you can use a calculator for every question, including the built-in Desmos graphing calculator available on the test screen.
• There is no negative marking. Wrong or unanswered questions do not reduce your score, so it makes sense to attempt all questions.

Digital SAT Exam 2026 Syllabus

The SAT syllabus for the Digital SAT consists of two sections: Reading & Writing and Math. The optional SAT Essay that existed earlier is no longer part of the exam.

1. Reading and Writing Section Syllabus

This section checks how well you read, understand, and use English in everyday academic situations. You will see short passages, each followed by one multiple-choice question.
 

The questions mainly test whether you can:
 

• Understand the meaning of words and sentences in context
• Identify the main idea and supporting details
• Use evidence from the passage to answer questions
• Correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
• Improve clarity, flow, and tone of written text

The focus here is not on memorising rules, but on reading carefully and thinking logically.

2. SAT Exam Syllabus for Math

The Math section tests concepts that most students study in school. All questions are multiple-choice, and you are allowed to use a calculator for the entire section.
 

The syllabus covers four broad areas:
 

• Algebra: Linear equations, inequalities, and systems of equations
• Advanced Math: Quadratic equations, functions, exponents, and expressions
• Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Ratios, percentages, graphs, probability, and basic statistics
• Geometry and Trigonometry: Area, volume, angles, circles, and right-triangle trigonometry

This section checks how well you apply concepts, not how fast you calculate.

SAT scores are usually released 13-14 days after the test and can be checked through your College Board account. The exam is scored on a 400-1600 scale, based on your Reading & Writing and Math sections.

Key points to note:

• A score above 1200 is considered competitive for many universities.
• A score of 1300 or higher can strengthen your chances of merit-based scholarships, depending on the university.
• SAT scores are accepted by universities in 85+ countries, including Indian institutions such as Ashoka University, O.P. Jindal Global University, and Shiv Nadar University.

A good SAT score comes from a clear plan, whether you choose self-study or a SAT prep course.

1. Start your SAT prep with a SAT practice test to understand your current level and identify weak areas.

2. Focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, and grammar basics for the Reading and Writing section.

3. Spend more time on algebra, functions, and data analysis for the Math section, as these appear most often.

4. Use official study material like Khan Academy and the Official SAT Study Guide.

5. Consider a SAT prep course if you need structure, regular practice, and guidance.

6. In the final weeks, take at least one full-length SAT practice test each week to build timing and screen comfort.