What are the key SAT score dates?

I'm a little bit lost in this whole college application process and I'm honestly stressing quite a bit. So, I've taken my SAT recently and I'm not too sure about what happens next. Anyone knows when and how are the SAT scores released? And when's the right time to send them to colleges?

Sure, let's break this process down for you. Firstly, in terms of when and how SAT scores are released: generally, after you take your online SAT, the College Board releases scores around 10 days later. You'll get an email notifying you that your scores are available. You can then log into your College Board account to view your scores.

Now, as for sending scores to colleges, you can either select up to four colleges to send your scores to for free while registering for the SAT, or you can send your scores later for an additional fee. The free score reports need to be selected before 9 days after the test. Scores are sent to colleges roughly 10 days after you receive your total score.

In terms of timing, it's a good idea to align your SAT test date with college application deadlines. For most regular decision applications, the deadlines are usually January 1st or 15th, which means that the latest SAT test date you should ideally consider is in December. For Early Action or Early Decision applications with November deadlines, the latest SAT test date would usually be in October.

Keep in mind, however, that these are general guidelines and individual college's deadlines might vary, plus it can take time for colleges to process scores received. Therefore, it's recommended to check the specific requirements and deadlines of the colleges you're interested in and give yourself enough time.

Also, it’s good to note that many colleges allow you to self-report test scores on your application, which means you won’t need to send in official score reports until after you’re admitted. This can be a good option to save on the cost of sending scores, so check if the colleges on your list allow self-reporting.

Remember, the SAT is just one component of your college application and while it's important, it's also essential to concentrate on other aspects like developing strong essays and maintaining your GPA. Stay organized and ensure you know the deadlines for each college you're applying to. That should help alleviate some of the stress.