Canceling, Rescheduling, or Missing the SAT: Current Rules, Fees, and Makeup Tests

Learn current SAT rules for canceling, changing test centers or dates, missing test day, refunds, cancellation fees, and College Board makeup tests for 2026–27.

Reviewed by Aakash S. · Cornell University '14 · Counselling Advisor, World ViralPublished 29 September 2026Last updated 29 September 2026

If your SAT plans change, the correct action depends on what changed.

Current College Board rules distinguish between:

changing your test center;
changing your test date;
canceling your registration;
missing test day;
a College Board-authorized makeup administration.

The most important current rule is:

To change your SAT test date, cancel and register for a new date.

You do not simply edit the existing registration to a different weekend date.

Quick decision table

Situation	What to do
Need a different test center	Change through your College Board account, subject to deadline and availability
Need a different test date	Cancel current registration and register for a new date
Cannot take the SAT anymore	Cancel registration in My SAT
Miss test day	Register again for a future test; standard fees generally apply
Center closes or serious administration problem occurs	College Board may offer an official makeup and will contact eligible students

Changing your SAT test date

College Board's current registration instructions say that to change the test date, you must cancel and register for a new test.

That means your old seat does not automatically transfer to the next administration.

If you know you need another date:

check availability for the new date;
consider registering for the new date first if appropriate;
cancel the old registration under current refund/cancellation rules.

College Board's cancellation page explicitly notes that you may cancel the old registration or register for a new date first.

Why you may want to secure the new date first

Popular test centers can fill.

If you cancel first and then discover your preferred new center has no seats, you may lose flexibility.

Check:

date;
center;
registration deadline;
late-registration deadline;
current fees.

Changing your test center

A test-center change is different from a date change.

College Board currently allows eligible test-center changes through your account, subject to:

deadlines;
seat availability;
change fee.

As of the current 2026 fee schedule, the test-center change fee is:

\boxed{\$34}

for applicable SAT Weekend registrations.

Fees can change, so verify the College Board fee page when making the change.

Current change deadlines

SAT Weekend dates have:

regular registration deadline;
deadline for changes, regular cancellation, and late registration.

These dates vary by administration.

Do not rely on a generic rule such as "two weeks before."

Use the current SAT Test Dates 2026–27 schedule or College Board's official date page.

Canceling an SAT registration

You can cancel in your My SAT account.

College Board currently states that if you cancel by:

Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day

you receive a refund of the registration fee, less the applicable cancellation fee.

Current cancellation fee

As of September 2026:

Before the change deadline

\boxed{\$34}

After the change deadline, but by Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day

\boxed{\$44}

This later charge is the late cancellation fee.

Check College Board before acting because fees can change.

What does "full refund" mean here?

College Board describes the registration fee as refunded to the original payment method, while the cancellation fee is charged.

In practical terms:

you recover the registration fee but still pay the cancellation charge.

Other optional fees may have separate refund rules.

How long does a cancellation refund take?

College Board says refunds begin processing around:

3–5 business days after cancellation

That is processing timing, not necessarily the exact moment funds appear in your bank or card account.

Fee-waiver students

Eligible SAT fee-waiver users receive additional benefits.

College Board states that cancellation fees are waived for fee-waiver benefits, and an unused benefit can be returned upon cancellation.

However, some optional charges may not be covered.

If you use a fee waiver, check your My SAT benefits and current fee-waiver rules.

International students

International SAT test takers pay an additional international fee when applicable.

Current College Board international fee information also lists the same additional service charges for:

test-center change;
regular cancellation;
late cancellation.

But local availability and test centers differ.

International students should verify:

test center;
date;
country-specific rules;
passport or ID requirements.

What if you simply miss the SAT?

If you are late or absent on test day, College Board says you will need to register again.

Standard testing fees apply.

A no-show does not automatically move you to the next test date.

Late arrival

College Board currently says SAT Weekend test centers generally:

open at 7:45 a.m.;
close doors at 8:00 a.m., unless your admission ticket says otherwise.

Once testing has started, you cannot be admitted.

If you miss entry:

you need a new registration for a future date.

See SAT Test-Day Checklist.

"I was sick" does not automatically mean makeup test

A common misconception:

If I miss the SAT for a valid personal reason, College Board gives me a makeup.

Current College Board makeup policy is narrower.

College Board may offer a makeup when:

your test center cannot open;
a misadministration or irregularity occurs.

If a makeup is needed and you are eligible, College Board contacts you.

Personal absence is generally handled by registering for another date, not by automatic makeup eligibility.

What if the test center closes?

Do not simply travel to another center.

Check:

your email;
My SAT;
College Board test-center closing information.

If College Board offers a makeup, follow the instructions you receive.

Makeup requirements

College Board states that eligible makeup testers must:

bring the updated admission ticket;
test only at the center for which they are registered or authorized;
take only the test they originally registered for;
take the entire test at the makeup administration.

Do not assume you can use a makeup to switch centers or test type.

Makeup is not a rescheduling service

A makeup exists to remedy qualifying test-center or administration problems.

It is not:

an extra date students can choose because another weekend is more convenient.

If you want a different date for personal scheduling reasons:

cancel and register for the new date.

What if College Board has not contacted you?

Do not assume you have a makeup seat.

If your center had a closure or irregularity:

monitor your College Board communications;
follow official instructions;
contact SAT support if needed.

Changing personal information

Some registration changes have their own processes.

College Board currently says changes to:

name;
date of birth;
gender

require contacting SAT support by the applicable deadline.

Photo and certain registration information can be changed through your account subject to deadlines.

These are not the same as changing the test date.

Accommodation changes

Approved accommodations should appear on your admission ticket.

College Board currently allows certain registration updates related to accommodations by the specified pre-test deadline, but accommodation approval itself is a separate process.

Do not assume editing a registration grants a new accommodation.

Canceling registration vs canceling scores

These are completely different.

Cancel registration

You do not take the test.

Cancel scores

You took the test but seek cancellation under College Board score-cancellation rules.

This article covers registration and logistics.

Do not click a score-cancellation option when you simply mean to move your test date.

Changing score-report recipients is different again

College Board allows score-report changes through your account within current reporting windows.

That does not change:

test date;
center;
registration status.

See SAT Score Choice and Sending Scores.

Scenario 1: conflict appears a month before test

You have another required event.

Best process:

check new SAT date and center;
register for the new date if needed;
cancel the old registration before the regular cancellation deadline if possible;
confirm the new registration and Bluebook setup later.

This minimizes last-minute risk.

Scenario 2: conflict appears three days before

You are still before Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET.

Under current rules, cancellation can still be possible, but the late cancellation fee applies if the regular change deadline has passed.

Check the exact current date, time, and your College Board account.

Scenario 3: you wake up sick Saturday morning

If you cannot attend, you are generally absent, not automatically makeup-eligible.

If there is also a center-wide closure, follow College Board's makeup communication.

Scenario 4: test center closes

College Board may offer an official makeup.

Do not independently show up at another center.

Wait for authorized instructions and an updated ticket.

Scenario 5: device problem before test day

If your device is incompatible or unusable, solve it before test day.

Options may include:

another approved device;
device-lending request within College Board deadlines.

A personal device issue does not automatically create a makeup entitlement.

Scenario 6: you miss because you are late

Doors have closed.

You cannot usually join after testing begins.

You will need to register for another date.

Plan arrival with buffer.

Refund strategy: cancel vs no-show

If you already know you cannot attend, simply not showing can be financially worse than canceling within the permitted refund window.

Current cancellation allows recovery of the registration fee less the applicable cancellation fee.

A no-show does not create the same cancellation refund process.

Act before the deadline when possible.

Check the time zone

Cancellation deadline uses:

11:59 p.m. ET

not necessarily your local time.

For international students, convert carefully.

Do not wait until local midnight.

Current fees can change

This guide is reviewed as of September 28, 2026.

The figures:

$34 test-center change;
$34 regular cancellation;
$44 late cancellation

reflect current College Board information.

Before paying:

verify the live College Board page.

A safe rescheduling checklist

Before changing plans:

1

Confirm the new test date.

2

Confirm center availability.

3

Check the registration and change deadline.

4

Understand the cancellation fee.

5

6

Verify the new My SAT registration.

7

Complete Bluebook exam setup when it becomes available.

8

Check the new admission ticket.

Common logistics mistakes

Mistake 1

Trying to edit the old registration to a new test date.

Current rule:

cancel and register new.

Mistake 2

Assuming absence produces automatic makeup.

It does not.

Mistake 3

Waiting past Thursday before test day to cancel.

You may lose the current refund route.

Mistake 4

Ignoring Eastern Time deadline.

Mistake 5

Showing up at another center after a closure.

Only test where authorized.

Mistake 6

Confusing registration cancellation with score cancellation.

FAQ: canceling or changing SAT

Can I change my SAT test date?

Yes, but current College Board procedure requires canceling the existing registration and registering for a new date.

Can I change test center?

Often yes, through your account if seats and deadlines allow, with the current applicable change fee.

How much is the cancellation fee?

As of September 2026, $34 before the change deadline and $44 after it through Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day.

What if I miss the test?

You generally need to register again and pay applicable fees.

Will I get a makeup if I'm sick?

Not automatically. Current College Board makeup tests are generally for qualifying center closures or administration irregularities.

What if my center closes?

College Board may arrange a makeup and contact eligible students.

Can I take the makeup at another center?

Only if College Board authorizes it. Makeup rules require testing at the registered or authorized center.

Where MastaPrep fits

Rules, dates and scoring policies like these are set by College Board, so confirm the details on the official pages linked below. MastaPrep handles the preparation side: a placement check, a study plan that adjusts as you practice, full-length timed practice tests, and review that brings your missed questions back until they stick.

See how MastaPrep works or try free SAT practice questions. The free plan needs no credit card.

Final takeaway

There are three different paths:

new test date → cancel + register new
personal absence → register again
qualifying center problem → College Board may offer makeup

Check current deadlines and fees before making the change.

Official College Board references:
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/change-cancel/changing-registration-info
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/change-cancel/canceling-registration
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/change-cancel/makeup-tests
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/fees-refunds/refunds
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/what-to-bring-do/what-to-expect

Trademark note: SAT® is a registered trademark of College Board. MastaPrep is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board.

Ready to put this into practice?

Prepare for your SAT

Free to start. No credit card.

Canceling, Rescheduling, or Missing the SAT: Current Rules, Fees, and Makeup Tests

Learn current SAT rules for canceling, changing test centers or dates, missing test day, refunds, cancellation fees, and College Board makeup tests for 2026–27.

Reviewed by Aakash S. · Cornell University '14 · Counselling Advisor, World ViralPublished 29 September 2026Last updated 29 September 2026

If your SAT plans change, the correct action depends on what changed.

Current College Board rules distinguish between:

changing your test center;
changing your test date;
canceling your registration;
missing test day;
a College Board-authorized makeup administration.

The most important current rule is:

To change your SAT test date, cancel and register for a new date.

You do not simply edit the existing registration to a different weekend date.

Quick decision table

Situation	What to do
Need a different test center	Change through your College Board account, subject to deadline and availability
Need a different test date	Cancel current registration and register for a new date
Cannot take the SAT anymore	Cancel registration in My SAT
Miss test day	Register again for a future test; standard fees generally apply
Center closes or serious administration problem occurs	College Board may offer an official makeup and will contact eligible students

Changing your SAT test date

College Board's current registration instructions say that to change the test date, you must cancel and register for a new test.

That means your old seat does not automatically transfer to the next administration.

If you know you need another date:

check availability for the new date;
consider registering for the new date first if appropriate;
cancel the old registration under current refund/cancellation rules.

College Board's cancellation page explicitly notes that you may cancel the old registration or register for a new date first.

Why you may want to secure the new date first

Popular test centers can fill.

If you cancel first and then discover your preferred new center has no seats, you may lose flexibility.

Check:

date;
center;
registration deadline;
late-registration deadline;
current fees.

Changing your test center

A test-center change is different from a date change.

College Board currently allows eligible test-center changes through your account, subject to:

deadlines;
seat availability;
change fee.

As of the current 2026 fee schedule, the test-center change fee is:

\boxed{\$34}

for applicable SAT Weekend registrations.

Fees can change, so verify the College Board fee page when making the change.

Current change deadlines

SAT Weekend dates have:

regular registration deadline;
deadline for changes, regular cancellation, and late registration.

These dates vary by administration.

Do not rely on a generic rule such as "two weeks before."

Use the current SAT Test Dates 2026–27 schedule or College Board's official date page.

Canceling an SAT registration

You can cancel in your My SAT account.

College Board currently states that if you cancel by:

Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day

you receive a refund of the registration fee, less the applicable cancellation fee.

Current cancellation fee

As of September 2026:

Before the change deadline

\boxed{\$34}

After the change deadline, but by Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day

\boxed{\$44}

This later charge is the late cancellation fee.

Check College Board before acting because fees can change.

What does "full refund" mean here?

College Board describes the registration fee as refunded to the original payment method, while the cancellation fee is charged.

In practical terms:

you recover the registration fee but still pay the cancellation charge.

Other optional fees may have separate refund rules.

How long does a cancellation refund take?

College Board says refunds begin processing around:

3–5 business days after cancellation

That is processing timing, not necessarily the exact moment funds appear in your bank or card account.

Fee-waiver students

Eligible SAT fee-waiver users receive additional benefits.

College Board states that cancellation fees are waived for fee-waiver benefits, and an unused benefit can be returned upon cancellation.

However, some optional charges may not be covered.

If you use a fee waiver, check your My SAT benefits and current fee-waiver rules.

International students

International SAT test takers pay an additional international fee when applicable.

Current College Board international fee information also lists the same additional service charges for:

test-center change;
regular cancellation;
late cancellation.

But local availability and test centers differ.

International students should verify:

test center;
date;
country-specific rules;
passport or ID requirements.

What if you simply miss the SAT?

If you are late or absent on test day, College Board says you will need to register again.

Standard testing fees apply.

A no-show does not automatically move you to the next test date.

Late arrival

College Board currently says SAT Weekend test centers generally:

open at 7:45 a.m.;
close doors at 8:00 a.m., unless your admission ticket says otherwise.

Once testing has started, you cannot be admitted.

If you miss entry:

you need a new registration for a future date.

See SAT Test-Day Checklist.

"I was sick" does not automatically mean makeup test

A common misconception:

If I miss the SAT for a valid personal reason, College Board gives me a makeup.

Current College Board makeup policy is narrower.

College Board may offer a makeup when:

your test center cannot open;
a misadministration or irregularity occurs.

If a makeup is needed and you are eligible, College Board contacts you.

Personal absence is generally handled by registering for another date, not by automatic makeup eligibility.

What if the test center closes?

Do not simply travel to another center.

Check:

your email;
My SAT;
College Board test-center closing information.

If College Board offers a makeup, follow the instructions you receive.

Makeup requirements

College Board states that eligible makeup testers must:

bring the updated admission ticket;
test only at the center for which they are registered or authorized;
take only the test they originally registered for;
take the entire test at the makeup administration.

Do not assume you can use a makeup to switch centers or test type.

Makeup is not a rescheduling service

A makeup exists to remedy qualifying test-center or administration problems.

It is not:

an extra date students can choose because another weekend is more convenient.

If you want a different date for personal scheduling reasons:

cancel and register for the new date.

What if College Board has not contacted you?

Do not assume you have a makeup seat.

If your center had a closure or irregularity:

monitor your College Board communications;
follow official instructions;
contact SAT support if needed.

Changing personal information

Some registration changes have their own processes.

College Board currently says changes to:

name;
date of birth;
gender

require contacting SAT support by the applicable deadline.

Photo and certain registration information can be changed through your account subject to deadlines.

These are not the same as changing the test date.

Accommodation changes

Approved accommodations should appear on your admission ticket.

College Board currently allows certain registration updates related to accommodations by the specified pre-test deadline, but accommodation approval itself is a separate process.

Do not assume editing a registration grants a new accommodation.

Canceling registration vs canceling scores

These are completely different.

Cancel registration

You do not take the test.

Cancel scores

You took the test but seek cancellation under College Board score-cancellation rules.

This article covers registration and logistics.

Do not click a score-cancellation option when you simply mean to move your test date.

Changing score-report recipients is different again

College Board allows score-report changes through your account within current reporting windows.

That does not change:

test date;
center;
registration status.

See SAT Score Choice and Sending Scores.

Scenario 1: conflict appears a month before test

You have another required event.

Best process:

check new SAT date and center;
register for the new date if needed;
cancel the old registration before the regular cancellation deadline if possible;
confirm the new registration and Bluebook setup later.

This minimizes last-minute risk.

Scenario 2: conflict appears three days before

You are still before Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET.

Under current rules, cancellation can still be possible, but the late cancellation fee applies if the regular change deadline has passed.

Check the exact current date, time, and your College Board account.

Scenario 3: you wake up sick Saturday morning

If you cannot attend, you are generally absent, not automatically makeup-eligible.

If there is also a center-wide closure, follow College Board's makeup communication.

Scenario 4: test center closes

College Board may offer an official makeup.

Do not independently show up at another center.

Wait for authorized instructions and an updated ticket.

Scenario 5: device problem before test day

If your device is incompatible or unusable, solve it before test day.

Options may include:

another approved device;
device-lending request within College Board deadlines.

A personal device issue does not automatically create a makeup entitlement.

Scenario 6: you miss because you are late

Doors have closed.

You cannot usually join after testing begins.

You will need to register for another date.

Plan arrival with buffer.

Refund strategy: cancel vs no-show

If you already know you cannot attend, simply not showing can be financially worse than canceling within the permitted refund window.

Current cancellation allows recovery of the registration fee less the applicable cancellation fee.

A no-show does not create the same cancellation refund process.

Act before the deadline when possible.

Check the time zone

Cancellation deadline uses:

11:59 p.m. ET

not necessarily your local time.

For international students, convert carefully.

Do not wait until local midnight.

Current fees can change

This guide is reviewed as of September 28, 2026.

The figures:

$34 test-center change;
$34 regular cancellation;
$44 late cancellation

reflect current College Board information.

Before paying:

verify the live College Board page.

A safe rescheduling checklist

Before changing plans:

1

Confirm the new test date.

2

Confirm center availability.

3

Check the registration and change deadline.

4

Understand the cancellation fee.

5

6

Verify the new My SAT registration.

7

Complete Bluebook exam setup when it becomes available.

8

Check the new admission ticket.

Common logistics mistakes

Mistake 1

Trying to edit the old registration to a new test date.

Current rule:

cancel and register new.

Mistake 2

Assuming absence produces automatic makeup.

It does not.

Mistake 3

Waiting past Thursday before test day to cancel.

You may lose the current refund route.

Mistake 4

Ignoring Eastern Time deadline.

Mistake 5

Showing up at another center after a closure.

Only test where authorized.

Mistake 6

Confusing registration cancellation with score cancellation.

FAQ: canceling or changing SAT

Can I change my SAT test date?

Yes, but current College Board procedure requires canceling the existing registration and registering for a new date.

Can I change test center?

Often yes, through your account if seats and deadlines allow, with the current applicable change fee.

How much is the cancellation fee?

As of September 2026, $34 before the change deadline and $44 after it through Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day.

What if I miss the test?

You generally need to register again and pay applicable fees.

Will I get a makeup if I'm sick?

Not automatically. Current College Board makeup tests are generally for qualifying center closures or administration irregularities.

What if my center closes?

College Board may arrange a makeup and contact eligible students.

Can I take the makeup at another center?

Only if College Board authorizes it. Makeup rules require testing at the registered or authorized center.

Where MastaPrep fits

See how MastaPrep works or try free SAT practice questions. The free plan needs no credit card.

Final takeaway

There are three different paths:

new test date → cancel + register new
personal absence → register again
qualifying center problem → College Board may offer makeup

Check current deadlines and fees before making the change.

Trademark note: SAT® is a registered trademark of College Board. MastaPrep is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board.

Ready to put this into practice?

Prepare for your SAT

Free to start. No credit card.

Quick decision table

Changing your SAT test date

Why you may want to secure the new date first

Changing your test center

Current change deadlines

Canceling an SAT registration

Current cancellation fee

Before the change deadline

After the change deadline, but by Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day

What does "full refund" mean here?

How long does a cancellation refund take?

Fee-waiver students

International students

What if you simply miss the SAT?

Late arrival

"I was sick" does not automatically mean makeup test

What if the test center closes?

Makeup requirements

Makeup is not a rescheduling service

What if College Board has not contacted you?

Changing personal information

Accommodation changes

Canceling registration vs canceling scores

Cancel registration

Cancel scores

Changing score-report recipients is different again

Scenario 1: conflict appears a month before test

Scenario 2: conflict appears three days before

Scenario 3: you wake up sick Saturday morning

Scenario 4: test center closes

Scenario 5: device problem before test day

Scenario 6: you miss because you are late

Refund strategy: cancel vs no-show

Check the time zone

Current fees can change

A safe rescheduling checklist

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Common logistics mistakes

Mistake 1

Mistake 2

Mistake 3

Mistake 4

Mistake 5

Mistake 6

FAQ: canceling or changing SAT

Can I change my SAT test date?

Can I change test center?

How much is the cancellation fee?

What if I miss the test?

Will I get a makeup if I'm sick?

What if my center closes?

Can I take the makeup at another center?

Where MastaPrep fits

Related MastaPrep guides

Final takeaway

Read next

Quick decision table

Changing your SAT test date

Why you may want to secure the new date first

Changing your test center

Current change deadlines

Canceling an SAT registration

Current cancellation fee

Before the change deadline

After the change deadline, but by Thursday 11:59 p.m. ET before test day

What does "full refund" mean here?

How long does a cancellation refund take?

Fee-waiver students

International students

What if you simply miss the SAT?

Late arrival

"I was sick" does not automatically mean makeup test

What if the test center closes?