What Time Do SAT Scores Come Out? Exact Times Revealed
- Hemant Attray
- 13 hours ago
- 7 min read
Waiting for score day is brutal. If you’re asking what time do SAT scores come out, here’s the closest thing to an exact answer: on the official release date, College Board begins posting scores at about 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET), then continues releasing additional batches through the day and evening. Most students see scores in the morning; some don’t see them until late afternoon or early night.
At IvyStrides, we plan score-checking the way we plan test day: with a clock, a backup plan, and zero guessing. Below, our team lays out the SAT score release time, how the College Board release schedule works, how to check scores fast, and what to do if your portal lags.
Exact SAT Score Release Time (What Time Do SAT Scores Come Out?)
The earliest time: 8:00 a.m. ET
On release day, the first score release batch usually appears right around 8:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. CT, 6:00 a.m. MT, 5:00 a.m. PT). That’s the moment we tell our students to check if they want the earliest possible look. For most students.
The rest of the day: rolling releases until evening
If you don’t see scores at 8:00 a.m., you’re not “late.” College Board posts scores in waves, and many accounts update later the same day. In our experience across multiple administrations, the second common window is about 4:00–8:00 p.m. ET, though it can be earlier or later depending on traffic and processing.
Why there isn’t one universal minute
College Board doesn’t promise a single timestamp for every student. Scores are tied to your test administration, your matching/verification process, and how quickly your results clear quality checks. That’s why IvyStrides frames “exact” as 8:00 a.m. ET is the start, not the finish.
Our score-day plan in one line: check at 8:00 a.m. ET, again at noon, again at 6:00 p.m. ET, then stop refreshing and wait for email/app alerts. Check again this evening.
What Time Do SAT Scores Come Out? Release Date Schedule
Typical timeline for Saturday test dates
For most U.S. Saturday SATs, scores arrive about 13–14 days after test day, usually on the second Friday. Example: test on Saturday, scores begin Friday two weeks later at 8:00 a.m. ET.
SAT School Day and state-administered testing
School Day SATs also tend to release about two weeks later, but the posted date can vary by district. Counselors should confirm the date inside the College Board educator portal and share one common check-in plan.
Holidays, weather, and other schedule shifts
If a release date lands on a major holiday or there’s an outage, posting may shift to the next business day. Site-specific issues (like a reported incident) can trigger a score delay. We tell families to keep 1–3 extra days open.
For retake timing, use our 30-day SAT study plan to count backward from the next test date. Fall dates can be posted later.
How to Access Your Scores: What Time Do SAT Scores Come Out?
Before release day: set up your College Board portal
48 hours before scores, log in and confirm you can reach My SAT. Make sure the name and birthdate match your admission ticket. If you took the test with a school, check that the right email is attached to that account, many access issues are simple account mismatches.
On release day: the fastest way to check
Go to satsuite.collegeboard.org and sign in.
Click My SAT → Score Details.
If you see “Registered,” “Pending,” or “Coming,” refresh once, then wait 10 minutes.
Screenshot the score page (not just the total score) for your records.
Can you check on mobile?
Yes. Many of our students use a phone browser, and some use the BigFuture School app when available. We still recommend opening the portal on a laptop too, because PDF score reports and score sends are easier on desktop.
Keep your password handy and know where verification codes go. Our families often lose minutes to login loops, avoid that.
What to Expect on Score Day (SAT Scores Morning or Night?)
The typical experience hour by hour
Most students check at 8:00 a.m. ET, feel a spike of adrenaline, and then overthink. We coach our students to look once, write the number down, and step away if it’s not posted.
What you’ll see before your score appears
Statuses like “Coming” or “Pending” don’t predict performance. They usually mean your account hasn’t updated in that score release batch or your test is still in verification.
Parents and counselors: how to support without hovering
Parents: agree on one check time and one no-talk break afterward. Counselors: send one message to everyone, “Scores start at 8:00 a.m. ET; if yours isn’t up by evening, it’s normal.”
We’ve seen a 10-minute walk helps. For more, read our tips to reduce stress and use them again on score day.
Download the PDF score report and note the test date for superscore tracking.
Troubleshooting Score Access Issues
If the site is slow or crashes
Traffic spikes at 8 a.m. ET. Try an incognito window, clear cache, and refresh only every 10–15 minutes. We tell our students to avoid rapid-fire refreshes that can lock a session.
If your score page shows an error
Make sure you’re in the account you registered with; students sometimes create duplicates with different emails. Disable VPNs, switch devices, and try cellular data if Wi‑Fi is overloaded.
If your score is missing past the evening window
If nothing appears by evening, wait until the next morning, then look for a delay message in the College Board portal. If the test date isn’t listed at all, contact support.
Our backup: two devices, two networks, and saved login details. Use a modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge) and update it before release. Older versions sometimes fail two-factor prompts. Don’t refresh every minute.
Time Zone Considerations (What Hour SAT Scores?)
U.S. time zone conversions from Eastern Time
College Board reporting is anchored to ET. Use these quick conversions for the 8:00 a.m. ET start:
Central: 7:00 a.m.
Mountain: 6:00 a.m.
Pacific: 5:00 a.m.
Alaska: 4:00 a.m.
Hawaii: 2:00 a.m.
International test takers
International students often wake up to a release that happened overnight locally. For example, 8:00 a.m. ET is 1:00 p.m. in London (during standard time) and 10:00 p.m. in Sydney (next day). Because daylight saving time shifts, confirm the conversion the week of release.
Planning around school or work
If you can’t check at the first window, pick a later, calmer time. Our students who wait until after lunch often avoid site congestion and check with a clearer head.
Score Notification Settings (Email, App, and Alerts)
Email: what it does and doesn’t do
College Board may send an email saying your scores are ready, but it’s not instant and it doesn’t arrive for everyone. We tell our families to treat email as a backup, not the primary signal.
Turn on notifications before test day
In your College Board account settings, opt into score notifications and confirm your phone number if text alerts are offered in your region. If you use the BigFuture School app, enable push notifications there too.
Keep your info consistent
The most common issue we see is a student registering with one email, then trying to log in with another. Standardize one email, one password, and one recovery method in your household.
Historical Release Time Patterns (What We’ve Observed)
Are release times consistent across dates?
They’re consistent in the big pattern: 8:00 a.m. ET start, then rolling updates. But your personal posting time can change between test dates. Repeat testers should wait until the full report loads before making superscore decisions.
When delays are more likely
Delays happen when identity matching is needed, a test center reports an incident, or a score is flagged for review. Your portal may show a delay banner instead of numbers. Our team watches for those notices with families.
Essay and additional reporting
If an essay score exists in your School Day test, it often posts later. Treat your first release as your core scores.
At IvyStrides, we connect score timing to your next steps, registration, deadlines, and test-day logistics. For the basics, see SAT duration and section timing and our SAT Study Guide 2025.
FAQ: SAT Score Release Time Questions
What time do SAT scores come out in the morning?
About 8:00 a.m. ET; more batches post through the day.
Do SAT scores come out at midnight?
No. The first batch usually starts near 8:00 a.m. ET.
What time zone are SAT scores released in?
Eastern Time (ET) is the reference time zone for releases.
Do SAT scores come out on weekends?
Release dates are usually weekdays. Weekend posting can happen after delays.
How long after the SAT do scores come out?
Usually 13–14 days after Saturday tests; School Day varies.
Will I get an email when my SAT scores are ready?
Sometimes, but it may arrive late. We don’t rely on it.
What if I can't access my SAT scores at the release time?
Switch browsers, clear cache, confirm the right account, and wait.
Do essay scores come out at the same time as multiple choice scores?
Often later. Core scores can post first; essay reporting follows.
Can I check my SAT scores on my phone?
Yes, mobile browser works, and some can view in the app.
What happens if the College Board website crashes on score day?
Pause 15–30 minutes, then try again on cellular data.
Do SAT scores always come out at the same time?
No. 8:00 a.m. ET is typical, but timing varies.
How do I know if my scores are delayed?
Your portal may show a delay message or missing test date.
What time do SAT scores come out on the West Coast?
West Coast start is 5:00 a.m. PT (same as 8:00 a.m. ET).
Can I see my scores before the official release time?
Generally no. Early postings are inconsistent and can’t be forced.
Do international SAT scores come out at the same time?
Same ET-based release system, different local clock time; delays vary.
Plan Your Next Move with IvyStrides
Score day is a data point, not your identity. Whether you’re thrilled or disappointed, we help you respond fast: confirm your report, decide if a retake fits your deadlines, and handle score sends without confusion. Our coaches also teach students how to manage timing on test day, because better pacing often means better outcomes.
If you want a clear plan for the next SAT cycle, our team can map your calendar, set score targets, and keep the process calm for students and parents. Start with a quick read of our in-house resources, then reach out for an IvyStrides diagnostic and tutoring plan.
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