What the December SAT® Test Score Reporting Means for Tutors
Updated on May 23, 2023
This is an important reminder that sometimes students and parents ask questions about the SAT® that have nothing to do with the content of the exam. For example, tutors may get phone calls this week from students asking, "When will I get my SAT® scores back?"
You don't need to know everything about the College Board and its testing procedures, but you and your tutors must be able to answer a few frequently asked questions.
Time to Follow up With Test-Prep Students
Tutors, now is the time to begin following up with your students to book appointments to discuss the next actionable steps for college admissions. If your students receive their scores back and they're stoked with the improvement, that doesn't mean you're necessarily done working together. Perhaps they're now shooting for a whole new range of elite schools. Or perhaps it's time to start thinking about preparing for AP exams, Subject Tests, or that calculus grade that slipped a few points this quarter.
From the Archives: How and When to Follow Up With Test Prep Students
Whatever the case, it's always a good idea to touch base regularly with your current and former students to make sure they're feeling happy with your services and feeling fully supported as they continue through the college admissions process. For more information on how and when to follow up with your clients, check out our recent blog post.
And if your test-prep results aren't as stellar as you'd like them to be, we'd be happy to help you implement our 100% custom-branded test-prep system for tutors, which includes our fully-branded test-prep workbooks and software. It's a turnkey product with all the curriculum and promotional materials you need to grow your tutoring business. And if you give us a call now, you've still got time to make 2018 a year of amazing growth for your tutoring company!
Frequently Asked Questions about SAT® Score Release
Q: When will I get my SAT® scores back?
A: Students who registered for the SAT® online or by mail and set up a College Board account will receive an email explaining how to sign into their online score report when scores are ready. Generally, scores will become available within 3 weeks. For the December 2nd SAT® test date, scores should be released as follows:
If the student took the SAT® without the Essay:
Online and paper score reports become available during the December 15–21 window.
Within 10 days after the student receives the scores, College Board will send the scores to the colleges your student selected to have receive them.
If the student took the SAT® with the Essay:
Your multiple-choice scores become available online during the December 15–21 window.
Students' SAT® Essay scores become available by December 26th.
Within 10 days from the time your students receive scores, College Board will send the scores to colleges the student selected to have receive them. College Board will also send a paper score report if you requested one.
Q: What if I don't want to wait that long?
A: Students can get their SAT® scores by phone starting on the day they’re released, but they'll have to pay an extra fee.
Q: Will anyone else be able to see my scores?
A: If a students designated a college or colleges as score recipients before the scores were released, those colleges (and scholarship programs) will receive the score reports shortly after the student receives them. The student's high school, district, and state will also be able to see their scores online, but they only use that data in aggregate to assess their own performance.
Q: How do I send my scores to colleges?
A: The answer to this question depends on when it's being asked:
Before Test Day
Students can send 4 free score reports to colleges every time they register for the SAT®. This is the fastest way to send scores to colleges and scholarship programs—and there’s no fee. Many colleges view being selected to receive scores early as a demonstration of the student's interest, which can play a role in admissions decisions.
After Test Day
Students can still send 4 free score reports to colleges up to 9 days after the test—after that, there's a fee for sending score reports unless the student is eligible for an SAT® fee waiver.
Score Delivery Timeline
The time frame for score delivery depends on the way a college chooses to receive scores. Once colleges receive your scores, processing could take 1 week.
Score Sending Options
Students use Score Choice™ to choose which scores the student sends to colleges.
If students change their minds about which schools they want to send scores to, they can log into their account and switch score recipients.
*More information on College Board's Score Reporting Policies.
Q: Why aren't my scores available yet?
A: The College Board does a pretty remarkable job of getting test scores back to students. It's actually very efficient when you consider the sheer number of students who take the SAT®. Of course, that's no comfort to an anxious student who's waiting on scores. Most scores are posted within the score release window. There are, however, exceptions. If your student falls into this group, they will get a message telling them to check back—usually about 1 week later.
Here are a few common causes for delayed scores:
-The student took a makeup test later than the actual test day.
-The student's answer sheet was received late.
-The student's answer sheet was received with missing information.
-The student's answer sheet contained information that was inconsistent with their registration information.
-An irregularity was reported at the student's test site.
Score delays are pretty rare, but that doesn't mean a student should freak out if their scores are delayed. Generally, it gets worked out pretty quickly. Even so, be sure to keep a close eye on the situation and call the College Board if you need to get more information or an update on your student's situation.
