How to Request Waitlist Testing for SAT

Life happens… it's common for students to miss the standard registration deadline for the SATs or, alternatively, to have scheduling conflicts that prevent them from registering for future testing dates. The waitlist option provides students the opportunity to aim for the current testing date. With college application deadlines looming, getting on the SAT waitlist is a student's final opportunity to retrieve scores in time. Not only do students often require their SAT scores for college applications, but they are also necessary for financial aid or scholarship opportunities. Or perhaps you are looking to improve your SAT score? If that's the case, then the waitlist option may be right for you as well. Before I outline the steps to request waitlist testing for the SATs, let's broadly review some basic tips on SAT registration.

To begin, students should start by creating a College Board account. Through the College Board website, students will be able to register for the SAT, review their scores, and send scores to colleges.

Things to Consider When Registering

When and where?

It is important to consider both the testing date and location before registering for the SAT. This is crucial to allow yourself both sufficient study time and a convenient testing location that will allow you to perform your best on the SAT.

Cost?

There is also the SAT registration fee of $68 to consider. If you do not have the means to cover the registration fee and you are eligible, consider applying for a fee waiver. To receive a fee waiver code, talk to a counselor at your school, as they will help you determine if you meet the financial need criteria necessary to receive a fee waiver. On the same note, attempt to register as early as possible because late registration may result in an unwanted additional fee of $34.

Waitlist requests are done solely online at College Board’s website, so you’ll want to start there. Students should then head to the SAT registration page where they can complete the waitlist request form that asks for both personal information and a current photo that meets College Board specifications.

What if a test administration is canceled?

If the waitlist testing date that you chose is canceled due to weather or some other unforeseen circumstance, all waitlist requests will be canceled. But you still have the ability to submit a request at another testing center so long as you are not within the five-day window before testing. However, it is necessary to note that requests cannot be accepted on designated SAT makeup days.

If the waitlist request is accepted, students must pay a waitlist fee of $53. Students should note that a fee waiver, for the initial SAT registration fee, does not cover the waitlist request fee.

Although waitlist testing is a great backup for students who missed the original SAT registration deadline or for those who want to improve their test scores, it is crucial to understand some of the restrictions of waitlist testing.

Availability

If there are not enough testing booklets, seating, or staff present at the testing center of a student's choice, they may not be able to take the SAT. Waitlist testing is, essentially, based on a first-come-first-served principle.

Waitlist Testing Selection

Students may only choose one testing center and one of the two available tests. So, you may not take SAT and Subject Tests on the same date.

Testers with Accommodations

The only accommodation available to waitlist testers with a disability that affects their ability to take the test under normal conditions is a 50% time extension. These students must not forget to bring their Eligibility Approval Letters with them to the testing center they selected for waitlist testing.

In Closing

To request SAT waitlist testing, determine if you are within the eligible time window and, if you are, navigate to the College Board website where you may submit an official request form!