To get SAT scores from high school, you typically need to access your College Board account online, as high schools do not store or distribute official score reports. If you lost your login or need a paper copy for scholarships or verification, your school counselor can help, but the official source is always the College Board. This guide explains the exact steps to retrieve your scores, whether you took the test recently or years ago.
Where Do SAT Scores Officially Live?
Your SAT scores are stored in your College Board account, not in your high school’s records. The College Board is the organization that creates and administers the SAT, and it keeps your score history for as long as you have an account. High schools only receive a limited score report for their own data, but they cannot issue official copies to you or colleges.
If you need to send scores to a college, you must do it through the College Board’s score-sending system. Your high school cannot send SAT scores on your behalf.
Step-by-Step: How to Retrieve Your SAT Scores
Follow these steps to access your scores quickly and securely.
1. Log In to Your College Board Account
Go to the College Board website and click “Sign In.” Use the email and password you created when you registered for the SAT. If you forgot your password, use the “Forgot Password” link to reset it via email or phone.
2. Navigate to “My SAT”
Once logged in, find the “My SAT” tab or the “Scores” section. Your most recent score will appear first, but you can view all past scores by clicking “View All Scores.” Each score entry shows your total score, section scores (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math), and subscores.
3. Download or Print Your Score Report
Your online score report includes a detailed breakdown of your performance. You can download it as a PDF or print it for your own records. This is not an official transcript, but it serves as proof for personal use or scholarship applications that accept unofficial copies.
4. Request Official Scores for Colleges
If you need to send scores to a college, use the “Send Scores” feature in your account. You can select the colleges or scholarship programs and pay a fee per recipient. Scores are sent electronically within a few days, but colleges may take up to two weeks to process them.
What If You Can’t Access Your Account?
If you cannot log in or your account is locked, contact College Board customer service directly. They can verify your identity and help you regain access. Do not rely on your high school to recover your account; they do not have access to your login information.
If you took the SAT before 2016 and do not have an online account, you can request a paper score report by calling College Board’s archived score service. This service is available for scores from 2005 onward.
Can Your High School Provide SAT Scores?
In most cases, your high school cannot give you an official SAT score report. However, your school counselor may have a copy of your score from when it was first released, especially if you took the SAT during a school day. This copy is not official and may not be accepted by colleges or scholarship committees.
For unofficial purposes, such as checking your own progress or showing a parent, a counselor’s copy is fine. For official purposes, always go through the College Board.
When Are SAT Scores Released?
SAT scores are typically released about 13 days after the test date. For the August 2026 test, scores will be available on August 28, 2026. For the October 2026 test, scores will be released on October 20, 2026. Check the College Board website for exact dates, as they can vary by test center.
| Test Date | Score Release Date |
|---|---|
| August 22, 2026 | August 28, 2026 |
| October 3, 2026 | October 20, 2026 |
| December 5, 2026 | December 15, 2026 |
How to Send Scores to Colleges
When you apply to college, you must send official SAT scores directly from the College Board. You can choose to send scores to up to four colleges for free if you do it within nine days after the test. After that, there is a fee per recipient.
To send scores, log in to your account, click “Send Scores,” and add the colleges you want. You can also use the “Score Choice” option to send only your best scores, but not all colleges allow this. Check each college’s policy before using Score Choice.
What If Your Scores Are Missing or Incorrect?
If your score report shows an error or a score is missing, contact College Board immediately. They have a score verification process that may take up to five weeks. Your high school cannot fix score errors; only the College Board can.
If you believe your score is wrong due to a technical issue, you can request a hand score verification for a fee. This is rare and only recommended if you have strong evidence of a problem.
Tips for Keeping Your Scores Accessible
- Save your College Board login information in a secure place, such as a password manager.
- Download a PDF of your score report right after it is released to have a copy on your device.
- Share your scores with your school counselor only for guidance purposes, not for official use.
- Keep a record of the colleges you sent scores to, including dates and confirmation numbers.
What About Old Scores from Previous Years?
If you took the SAT more than a few years ago and cannot log in, you can request archived scores. The College Board keeps scores for at least 10 years, but you may need to contact them directly. Provide your full name, date of birth, and the test date if possible.
For scores older than 10 years, they are usually not available, and colleges rarely require them. If you need an old score for a specific purpose, check with the requesting organization first.
Summary
Getting your SAT scores from high school is not about asking your school for a copy; it is about accessing your College Board account. Always use the official website to view, download, and send scores. If you cannot log in, contact College Board support. Keep your login details safe and download a copy of your score report for your records. For any official need, such as college applications or scholarships, always use the College Board’s score-sending service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my SAT scores from my high school counselor?
Your high school counselor may have a copy of your score report, but it is not official, and colleges will not accept it. You must get official scores from the College Board.
How do I find my SAT scores if I forgot my College Board password?
Use the “Forgot Password” link on the College Board sign-in page to reset your password via email or phone. If that doesn’t work, contact College Board customer service for help.
How far back can I access my SAT scores?
You can access scores from the last 10 years through your online account. For older scores, you can request archived scores by contacting the College Board directly.
Do I have to pay to send my SAT scores to colleges?
You get up to four free score sends if you send them within nine days after taking the test. After that, there is a fee per college, which you pay through your College Board account.
Can my high school send my SAT scores to colleges for me?
No, high schools cannot send SAT scores to colleges. Only the College Board can send official score reports, and you must request this through your account.
