How Long Does College Board Take To Send Sat Scores

How Long Does College Board Take to Send SAT Scores? (And Why You Should Care)

Let’s face it, the SATs are enough of a headache on their own. You’ve spent months studying, cramming, and strategically memorizing the difference between “affect” and “effect” (because, seriously, who uses those words in real life?). You’ve finally taken the test, and now you’re sitting on the edge of your seat, anxiously waiting for those precious scores to arrive. But the question is, how long will this agonizing wait actually last?

The Short Answer: It takes the College Board about 10 days to send your SAT scores to colleges after they’re released to you.

Now, before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of the SAT score delivery system (because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good dose of bureaucracy?), let’s address the elephant in the room: why do you even care about this whole score-sending thing?

Well, dear reader, imagine this scenario: you’ve poured your heart and soul into your college applications, you’ve painstakingly crafted essays that would make Shakespeare jealous, and you’ve strategically chosen your extracurricular activities to showcase your well-rounded personality (even if that “well-rounded” personality involves a lot of binge-watching Netflix). But all of this hard work becomes moot if your SAT scores don’t make it to the college admissions office on time. It’s like trying to bake a perfect cake only to realize you forgot the sugar – a major catastrophe in the world of college applications.

So, how do you ensure your SAT scores arrive on time and don’t get lost in the bureaucratic abyss?

Here’s the deal: the College Board, the organization responsible for administering the SAT, has a rather efficient system for delivering those coveted scores. They typically release your scores about 14 days after you take the test, and those scores are then sent to your chosen colleges within 10 days.

But here’s the catch: the “10 days” timeframe only applies to the College Board’s end of the transaction. Once they send your scores to the colleges, it’s up to the individual institutions to process them. And let me tell you, some colleges are faster than others when it comes to getting their act together.

So, how long does it really take for your scores to be visible to the colleges?

The answer is: it depends.

• If you’re sending your scores to a college that’s known for its efficiency (cough, cough, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, we’re looking at you), they might process your scores within a few days.
• But if you’re applying to a college that’s known for its, shall we say, “leisurely” approach to bureaucracy, it could take a week or even two.

Here’s a breakdown of the different ways you can send your SAT scores and how long each method takes:

1. Free Score Reports:

• When you register for the SAT, you are entitled to four FREE score reports that can be sent to the colleges of your choice.
• You can request these free score reports anytime from the day you register to up to nine days after your SAT test date.
• The College Board will send your scores to the colleges within 10 days after they’re released to you.

2. Additional Score Reports:

• If you need to send your scores to more than four colleges, you’ll have to pay a fee of $12 per score report.
• These additional score reports can be ordered anytime, but if you order them outside of the nine-day window after your test date, they may take longer to process.

3. Rush Orders:

• If you’re in a real bind and need your scores sent to a college ASAP, you can request a rush order for an additional fee of $31 (plus any regular fees).
• Rush orders are typically processed within 1-4 business days (excluding holidays and weekends).

So, what should you do if you’re worried about your SAT scores arriving on time?

Here are some tips from a seasoned SAT veteran (that’s me, in case you haven’t noticed):

• Don’t wait until the last minute to send your scores. Give yourself plenty of time to request and send those score reports.
• Check the deadlines for each college you’re applying to and make sure you send your scores well in advance. You don’t want to be scrambling at the eleventh hour.
• If you’re applying to a college that has a rolling admissions policy, it’s a good idea to send your scores as soon as possible. This will increase your chances of getting accepted to the program of your choice.
• Keep track of your scores. You can check the status of your score reports online through your College Board account.
• If you’re still worried about your scores arriving on time, contact the admissions office of the college you’re applying to. They can tell you what their policy is regarding late scores.

Remember, the SAT is just one piece of the college application puzzle. While it’s important to do your best on the test, don’t let it stress you out too much. Focus on your other application materials and make sure you’re presenting yourself as a well-rounded, interesting, and motivated individual.

And remember, the journey to college is full of twists and turns, so try to enjoy the ride!

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