If you are planning to take your SAT exam or Digital SAT, then understanding the SAT exam eligibility criteria holds prime importance. The College Board — the official body governing the SAT examination globally — does not explicitly state any specific eligibility requirements for students to take the test. However, students in their high school or who have completed their 10th grade are advised to register for the SAT exam. This is because students are currently well-versed in the SAT syllabus, which is based on 10th standard mathematics and English subjects.
In general, high school students aged 17-19 years, who plan to pursue undergraduate admissions abroad or in SAT-accepting colleges in India, take this exam. Read on to understand the SAT exam eligibility criteria, the minimum and maximum age limit, educational qualifications, scores, photo, and ID proof requirements set by the College Board for taking the SAT exam.
Students typically take the SAT during their 11th or 12th grade of high school, generally within the age group of 17 to 19. Since the digital SAT exam has no specific age limit, it is also open to those who are pursuing or have completed their 10th grade or have already completed high school and wish to pursue undergraduate studies.
However, to be eligible to take the SAT test, you must first create an account on the College Board website and register for the exam by selecting a test date and exam centre and paying a registration fee — unless there is an SAT fee waiver. To enter the testing centre on the day of your SAT exam, you must have a legitimate photo ID with you.
The SAT exam eligibility criteria include specific guidelines for candidates based on their age:
Understanding these age-related criteria ensures a smooth registration process and compliance with the College Board's requirements for taking the SAT.
There is no minimum educational requirement for a student to be eligible for the SAT exam, unlike many other standardized tests. The SAT is open to students in their last years of education or who have finished high school. Those with varying levels of education, including recent graduates, are also eligible to take the test.
A valid photo ID and an appropriate passport-sized photograph are essential to ensure smooth entry to the SAT test centre. During registration, you must upload a photo that meets specific criteria for recognition and authenticity. The test centre staff will match this photo with your ID on the test day.
Key points to consider while choosing a photo for your SAT exam registration and SAT test day:
You must meet these requirements to ensure you can take the test and avoid disqualification.
If a student with a disability notifies the College Board (SAT governing body), in advance of their condition, they can take the test with additional accommodations to make the experience worthwhile.
All additional conveniences, however, require prior approval from the College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) unit. This can be used for the SAT General and SAT Subject Tests after the facilities for students with disabilities have been authorized. Students don't need to submit a fresh request for every SAT exam. Note that no set requirements exist for students who wish to take the SAT.
Inclusive Facilities for Disabled Students Taking the SAT Exam:
The SAT exam ensures an inclusive testing environment for students with disabilities by offering the following accommodations:
All major SAT test centres are designed to accommodate students with disabilities, ensuring they have the resources and support to take the exam smoothly.
When preparing for the SAT exam in India, having the correct identification is crucial to meet the eligibility requirements for Indian students. The ID proof required for the SAT exam must meet specific criteria to be deemed acceptable. A valid passport with your name, photograph, and signature, or a valid Aadhaar PVC Card with your name and photograph, are the only acceptable forms of ID. The Aadhaar letter must be in its original hard-copy format issued by the Indian government — printouts, screenshots, or copies are not valid.
Key ID Requirements:
Students aged 21 or older must present an official government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, as student IDs are not valid for this age group. Complying with these identification policies is critical to avoid dismissal from the test centre or cancellation of your scores. The SAT exam eligibility for Indian students mandates adherence to these guidelines.
Yes, SAT is an important exam when applying to universities in the United States. The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is a standardized test taken by students planning to study undergraduate programs in the US. However, a few universities in USA might accept your undergraduate application, without SAT scores.
Yes, high school diplomas offered after completion of high school (9th grade to 12th grade) can be considered while applying for the SAT exam.
Yes, you can take the SAT exam during and after completing your high school. By the time you are 18 years old, you must have completed your 12th grade and are eligible to take the SAT exam.
Yes, you can take SAT exam, even if you have not cleared your 12th grade, as there is no high school score requirement for taking the SAT exam. However, you must pass your 12th grade before applying to colleges for undergraduate admissions.
Yes, you can take the SAT exam even in your 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade.
Yes, you can take the SAT exam even after graduating from college if you plan to pursue a double bachelor’s degree abroad and need to submit a SAT score as part of the admission requirements. However, if you are 21 or older on the test day, you must present an official government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, as student IDs are not accepted for this age group.
No, the SAT exam alone does not ensure your undergraduate admissions abroad. Along SAT, you must take English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL. While the SAT assesses your academic readiness for undergraduate courses, tests like IELTS or TOEFL demonstrate your ability to understand and engage with English-based curricula and instructions in universities abroad.
The SAT exam does not require scores from grades 10 and 12, but your desired university may want all your results. They can even ask for your grades from grades 9 through 12. Therefore, it is advised that you to maintain a solid academic record and participate in extracurricular activities if you intend to complete your undergraduate studies overseas.
Students from all streams of education, including commerce, science, arts, etc., can take the SAT exam to apply for undergraduate colleges and universities abroad and in India.
SAT scores are taken into account by over 4,000 colleges and institutions in the United States and 85 other countries to make well-informed admissions decisions.
A SAT score of 1300 or higher is required to be considered for scholarships. There are differences across universities in the precise score needed and the amount of scholarship available.
Yes, students who have graduated from high school and are planning undergraduate education abroad and in India can take the SAT exam.
The SAT is an evaluation of college preparedness, not medical school aptitude. The most popular medical admission exam in India is NEET UG. The National Testing Agency (NTA) administers it to applicants for undergraduate medical and dentistry programs (MBBS and BDS) in India's public and private medical schools. If you are considering studying abroad, the MCAT is the proper exam for admission to medical colleges in the USA.
Students from all streams of education, including commerce, science, arts, etc., can take the SAT exam to apply for undergraduate colleges and universities abroad and in India.
Yes, taking TOEFL or IELTS is required even if you take the SAT exam. TOEFL or IELTS are English-proficiency tests, which prove your ability to understand an English language based curriculum and mode of instruction in universities abroad. Whereas, SAT is a standardized test which assesses your mathematical aptitude and language comprehension skills required for studying an undergraduate degree.
Yes, the SAT exam must be taken by international students to get undergraduate admission to universities and colleges abroad. Although many universities make the SAT exam optional, it is recommended that students take it to stay ahead of the competition.
Harvard requires the SAT or ACT to fulfil its standardized testing requirement. In
exceptional cases, students may substitute with AP exam results, IB actual or predicted
scores, GCSE/A-Level results, or externally assessed National Leaving Exam results or
predictions.
In addition to taking the SAT exam, international students aiming to get into Harvard must
take the IELTS or TOEFL exam or other English language proficiency tests, to showcase
their ability to understand English-medium curriculum and lectures.
