Plans change. It happens. Maybe you woke up with a fever, or perhaps that math section still feels like a foreign language and you just aren't ready. Whatever the reason, you're now staring at your College Board dashboard wondering how to cancel your SAT test without flushing your registration fee down the toilet. Honestly, it's a bit of a headache. The College Board doesn't exactly make the "exit" button the biggest thing on the page.
You've probably heard horror stories about people losing their entire $60+ fee. Or maybe you're worried that a cancellation will look bad to Harvard. Let’s clear the air immediately: colleges never see that you cancelled. They only see the scores you actually send. So, breathe.
How to Cancel Your SAT Test: The Timing Matters
If you’re looking to get some money back, you have to move fast. There is a very specific window. Basically, if you cancel before the late registration deadline, you get a partial refund. We're talking about $25 back. It isn't much, but it’s better than a total loss. If you wait until after that late deadline—usually about 11 days before the test—you get nothing. Zero.
Actually, it’s often smarter not to cancel at all.
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Wait, what? Yeah, if you think you might take the test eventually, changing your test date is usually the better financial move. It costs $25 to change the date, but you don't lose the original registration fee. If you cancel and then re-register later, you’re paying for the whole thing twice. Think about that before you hit the nuclear option.
The Step-by-Step Logistics
First, log in to your My SAT account. Find your upcoming test date. You’ll see an option for "Cancel Registration." They’ll ask you if you’re sure about ten times. If you are within the refund window, the system should tell you. If you're past it, the button might not even be there, or it’ll tell you that you aren't eligible for a refund.
Sometimes the website glitches. It’s a classic College Board move. If the online portal is acting up, you have to call them. Their customer service number is 866-756-7346 if you're in the US. Be prepared to wait on hold. Bring a snack.
Why Some Students Choose to Just No-Show
Here is a secret: you don't actually have to cancel.
If you realize at 11:00 PM the night before the test that you aren't going, you can just... stay in bed. This is called a "No-Show." The College Board won't send a "did not attend" note to your dream school. The record of that registration just sits there in your account and eventually moves to your past history without a score.
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The downside? You lose all your money. Every cent. But if you were already past the refund deadline anyway, the financial outcome is exactly the same as a formal cancellation. Some students prefer this because it keeps the door open until the very last second. Maybe you'll feel better in the morning? If you cancel formally, you're locked out.
The Refund Myth
Don't expect a full refund. It literally never happens unless the College Board cancels the test themselves (like they did during the 2020-2021 chaos). Even if you have a death in the family or a documented medical emergency, they are notoriously stingy. You get that $25 back, and they keep the rest to cover "processing." It feels a bit like a scam, but it's the reality of the monopoly.
If you paid for the SAT with a fee waiver, the rules are different. You can't get "cash back" because you didn't pay cash. However, you might be able to get your fee waiver usage reinstated if you cancel correctly, though it's often easier to just use the "Change Test Date" feature to push your waiver to a future month.
What if You're Already at the Testing Center?
This is a niche situation, but it happens. You sit down, you open the booklet (or the Bluebook app now that it's digital), and you realize your brain has melted. You can still "cancel" your scores even after you've started.
This is different from cancelling a registration.
If you complete the test but feel like you bombed it, you have until the Thursday after the test (11:59 PM Eastern Time) to request a score cancellation. Once you do this, that test is gone forever. You'll never know what you got. It's a high-stakes gamble. Most tutors, including experts from places like Khan Academy or PrepScholar, usually advise against this. Why? Because most students feel like they did worse than they actually did.
The Digital SAT Twist
Since the SAT went digital, the "cancel your SAT test" process has become slightly more integrated into the Bluebook app for those who show up but can't finish. If your computer dies or the Wi-Fi at the center goes nuclear, that’s a "testing irregularity." In those cases, you aren't cancelling—you're reporting a problem. Make sure the proctor files a report before you leave the room. If they don't, getting a re-test or a refund is nearly impossible.
Decisions, Decisions: Cancel vs. Reschedule
Let's look at the math.
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A new SAT registration is about $60 (prices creep up every year).
A cancellation refund is $25.
Net loss if you cancel and re-book: $35.
A change fee is $25.
It is almost always $10 cheaper to reschedule than to cancel. Plus, it keeps you on the hook to actually study. Cancelling feels like a relief, but often it's just procrastination in a fancy suit.
However, if you've decided you're going "Test Optional" and you're never touching a No. 2 pencil or a graphing calculator again, then sure, cancel. Get your $25 and go buy a nice lunch.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
- Check the Date: Open your calendar. If the test is more than 11 days away, you can still get that partial refund.
- Decide on the Goal: If you still need an SAT score for college, do not cancel. Go to your account and select "Change Registration" instead. It’s cheaper and easier.
- The "No-Show" Backup: If it's the Friday night before the Saturday test and you're panicking, don't stress about the website. Just don't go. You won't get a refund, but your "permanent record" remains clean.
- Call if it Fails: If the website gives you an error when trying to cancel or change, document it with a screenshot. Then call 866-756-7346 on Monday.
- Check your Score Reports: If you cancel your registration, make sure any "4 free score reports" you set up are also cleared so you don't accidentally send old scores to schools you no longer like.
Life is messy. Missing one test isn't the end of your college career. Just make the choice that saves you the most money and the least amount of stress.