Retrieving and Utilizing Old SAT Scores: A Comprehensive Guide

Many situations may necessitate accessing old SAT scores. Whether it's for college applications after a gap year, fulfilling an employer's request, or transferring to another university, knowing how to retrieve these scores is essential. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to obtain and utilize old SAT scores effectively.

Archiving of SAT Scores

The College Board archives all SAT scores after one year. While you can request test scores more than five years after the initial test date, the results will be accompanied by a message from the College Board stating that your prior SAT scores may be less valid predictors of your academic aptitude. Scores older than 2005 are no longer accessible. Other old scores may have been stored in data sources that are now decommissioned and no longer accessible.

Step-by-Step Guide to Retrieving Old SAT Scores

If you’re thinking about how to get your SAT scores, follow these steps:

Gather Necessary Information: Compile all necessary information before requesting your scores. If you need to send the SAT scores to a specific university, confirm the address and contact information. You should also know your approximate test date and any program codes, if needed. As well, it’s important to ensure the form is completed in neat, legible text and that all boxes are checked.
Online Access: For students aged 13 or older, you can use your College Board student account and go to studentscores.collegeboard.org to access your scores online and your score report PDF. Once you’re signed in, your most recent score should be shown at the top of the page. Use the Find Your Scores tool to check your account information and update your address or school if needed. You can also find your score using your test details and SAT registration number. You, your parent, or your counselor could have created an account for you. If you have another account, sign out now. This resource gives testers taking the SAT on the weekend information on creating a personal College Board student account they can use to register for the test and access personalized content for multiple platforms and services.
College Board Account: Log into your College Board account, then go to the "Send SAT Scores" page. You'll see a message about ordering older score reports, which you'll need to accept. Once you've done that, follow the prompts to select the schools to send your scores to. You'll indicate which scores to send to each school.
Archived Scores Request: If it has been more than 10 years since you took the SAT, your scores will no longer be available via the College Board's online system. However, you still have an option: you can request archived scores. Follow the instructions to send SAT scores through your College Board account. Accept the message about ordering older score reports. Follow through the prompts to select the institutions to send your scores and information to, indicating which scores to send for each recipient.

Timeframe for Score Retrieval

In most cases, you should allow for up to five weeks between the request date and the delivery date. To ensure the process runs smoothly, you should make sure to compile all necessary information before requesting your scores.

Rush Orders

If you’re on a time crunch, then you can place a rush order on your SAT scores. This order exponentially speeds up the process, and you should receive your scores within 1-4 business days. Be aware this estimate does not include holidays, so you should still plan accordingly.

Fees Associated with Retrieving SAT Scores

You should be aware that there is a fee associated with retrieving your SAT score. The standard archival retrieval fee is $31. For all non-rush, standard orders, the flat fee is $14. So, the total for a non-rush order will be $45. This payment can only be collected via credit card. However, your first four score reports are free if you order them within nine days after your initial test date. Regular SAT score reports cost $14 per report. However, because you're sending old SAT scores, there is an additional $35 archived fee. If you need to send old SAT scores quickly, rush reporting is usually available. This option costs an extra $31 (in addition to the $14 and $35 archived fee per score report).

Alternative Methods

If you’re looking for another method of how to get old SAT scores, you can also call the College Board’s customer service numbers. The College Board offers both domestic and international numbers, so ensure you call the correct line.

Understanding Score Changes Over Time

The SAT has undergone some changes in recent years regarding the scoring metric. For example, the grading scale changed in 2016. So, if you’ve taken the test previously, you might be confused about how things have changed. The only major problem when comparing scores from different years is the scoring scales used. The SAT changed dramatically in 2016, when it shifted from a 600-2400 scale to a 400-1600 scale. As a result, the scores for these years will look quite different.

However, you should be able to convert old SAT scores into new ones relatively easily. That way, you’ll have a better idea of how your scores compare. In general, an SAT score will mean the same thing no matter when you take the SAT. In other words, a 1250 on an SAT from 2016 should equal a 1250 on an SAT from 2018, 2019, 2020, and so on.

SAT Score Percentiles

Based on data for both the new and old scoring systems, we can see that the score you needed to achieve a certain percentile doesn't actually change much from year to year.

Read also: Accessing Your ACT Results

SAT Scores and College Transfers

One reason why you might need to know how to get SAT scores is because you’re transferring colleges. Some institutions may request that you send your test scores to their admissions office before transferring. If you are transferring, then it’s necessary to know how long does it take to get SAT scores sent to the correct place. Speak with the admissions office as soon as possible to obtain any necessary codes and addresses.

SAT Scores and Employers

Some employers request SAT scores. Companies such as Amazon, Cvent, Baines & Co., McKinsey & Co., and Goldman Sachs have been known to request SAT scores from prospective employees. Be sure to check the admissions requirements for the schools you're applying to so you can know whether you'll need to have your old SAT scores when you apply. Most employers who ask for SAT scores don't require official score reports. However, be prepared to provide one, if asked. The date when you took the test shouldn't matter much to employers for making comparisons. A 2000/2400 from 2015 should be equivalent to a 2000/2400 from 2007. Both SAT scores should indicate the same skill level and percentile score.

Additional Tips

Plan Ahead: In general, it’s good practice to allow yourself a cushion of time for scores to be retrieved and sent. So, if you’re aware that you’ll need to know how to get SAT scores for an upcoming scholarship application, plan accordingly.
Registration: Be sure that you register for the SAT well in advance of the test. You will need to be registered to be allowed to sit for the exam. Generally, you should aim to be registered at least two weeks in advance of the test. Currently, the fee for the SAT is $60.
Check with College: Note: Check with your college before you order rush reports.

Read also: Finding Your GPA

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