SAT in India 2026-27: SAT Scholarship Under College Board India Scholars Program

What is SAT?

SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test. For nearly a century now, the SAT has stood as a leading standardised test for seeking college admissions in the United States and India. Developed and published by the College Board, an American non-profit organisation, the SAT assesses students’ proficiency in key academic areas, measuring the reasoning, knowledge and skills essential for college and career readiness.

Beyond complementing the grades of the students or GPA, it provides tangible evidence of their preparedness for the academic challenges inherent in higher education. Serving as a widely recognised benchmark, the SAT helps colleges in evaluating the potential of applicants to succeed in their chosen fields of study.

When Can an Interested Applicant Take the SAT 2026-27?  

In India, the SAT examination is conducted eight times a year as part of the College Board’s fixed international testing calendar, the same dates apply worldwide, including India, with no separate reduced schedule. These tests are conducted at test centres spanning multiple cities across the country. Exam dates for the SAT 2026-27 cycle have been released, with the first test scheduled for August 22, 2026.

SAT 2026-27 Exam Dates

SAT Test Date	Registration Deadline	Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation and Late Registration
Aug 22, 2026	Aug 7, 2026	Aug 11, 2026
Sep 12, 2026	Aug 28, 2026	Sep 1, 2026
Oct 3, 2026	Sep 18, 2026	Sep 22, 2026
Nov 7, 2026	Oct 23, 2026	Oct 27, 2026
Dec 5, 2026	Nov 20, 2026	Nov 24, 2026
Mar 6, 2027	Feb 19, 2027	Feb 23, 2027
May 1, 2027	Apr 16, 2027	Apr 20, 2027
Jun 5, 2027	May 21, 2027	May 25, 2027

SAT Fees in India: Registration, Extra Costs & Hidden Charges Explained

Students in India taking the SAT should be aware of not just the registration fee but also additional and optional charges. These include the international fee, late registration fee, test centre charges, and score services. Here’s a breakdown of the SAT costs effective for the 2026-27 testing cycle (August 2026 to June 2027).

Standard SAT Registration Cost

Fee Type	Amount	Details
SAT Registration	$68	The base fee for taking the SAT
International Fee	$43	Mandatory fee for test-takers outside the U.S.
Total (Standard)	$111	The base cost for Indian students

Additional Registration-Related Fees

Service	Fee	Details
Late Cancel Fee	$44	If cancelled after the change deadline but before the test day
Change Test Center	$34	Only for some locations (Not applicable to test centres in India)
Late Registration	$38	For registering after the regular deadline

Score Reporting Fees

Service	Fee	Details
Additional Score Reports	$15 per report	The first four reports are free (if ordered within 9 days of the test)
Rush Score Report	$31	It speeds up delivery, but extra charges apply
Get Scores by Phone	$15 per call	Get scores the same day as the online score release. A credit card is required for this
Archived Scores	$35	For sending scores from past SAT tests
Score Verification Fee	$55 Fee waiver available	For verifying SAT score

How to Avail the SAT Fee Discount Voucher

The entire process to claim the discount voucher is online. Applicants need to complete the application form and secure the voucher before the SAT exam application deadline closes. Follow the steps below to get the discount voucher:

Step 1: Head to the official Buddy4Study website and open the College Board scholarship section. You can also go straight to the application page by clicking here.

Step 2: Select either the 50% or the 90% discount voucher based on your eligibility and then click on the avail discount voucher option. A new window will open, click on Apply Now. 

Step 3: Fill in the required personal and educational details in the application form and upload the necessary documents.

Step 4: Tick the terms and conditions checkbox and submit the form.

Step 5: Complete the fee payment to finalise your application.

Note: Once the discounted SAT fee payment is received, the voucher code will reach the student’s registered email ID within two days.

How to Apply for the SAT Scholarship Programme

After receiving the SAT exam fee discount voucher, students can redeem it by registering for the SAT Scholarship programme. Here is how:

Step 1: Open the College Board SAT registration website and select the registration link.

Step 2: The link will redirect you to the Buddy4Study website to complete your registration.

Step 3: Click the Apply Now button and enter the required details to register and become a College Board India Scholar.

Step 4: A confirmation message will confirm your registration for the SAT exam.

Note: Students should redeem their fee discount voucher within 15 days of receiving it from Buddy4Study or before the registration deadline, whichever comes first.

Documents Needed for the SAT Fee Discount Voucher

Keep the following documents handy before filling out the SAT Scholarship application form:

• Identity proof, such as an Aadhaar Card or PAN Card
• Recent education proof, such as the latest exam report
• Class 11 or 12 school or college ID card
• Family income proof of the applicant
• Passport-size photographs

Eligibility and Benefits of SAT Scholarships

Students residing in India can access two types of benefits under the India Scholars Program by the College Board. The first is a 50% discount on the SAT exam fee, and the second is a 90% discount on the SAT exam fee along with a scholarship of up to 100% on tuition fees.

50% Discount on Exam Fees

Applicants who meet the eligibility conditions can claim a voucher that lowers their exam fee. The criteria to avail this benefit are listed below:

• The applicant must be a resident of India.
• The applicant must be pursuing studies in Class 11 or 12.
• The applicant’s annual family income must fall between ₹8 lakh and ₹15 lakh.
• The applicant must have applied to and enrolled in a degree course at a participating Indian university.

Benefits: Eligible applicants receive a 50% discount voucher on the SAT exam fee. After the discount is applied to the full fee of ₹12,000, the effective exam fee comes to ₹6,000.

90% Discount and 100% Tuition Fee Scholarship

The College Board offers a 90% discount voucher to students whose family income is below ₹8 lakh. In addition, a candidate who is a top performer on the SAT, with a minimum score of 1300 out of 1600, becomes eligible for a tuition fee scholarship of up to 100%. To qualify for this discount, students must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a resident of India.
• The applicant must be pursuing studies in Class 11 or 12.
• The applicant’s annual family income must not exceed ₹8 lakh.

Additional Eligibility for the Scholarship

• A top performer on the SAT exam, with a minimum score of 1300 out of 1600.
• Admission to any of the participating Indian universities.

Benefits: Candidates who satisfy the eligibility criteria receive a voucher offering a 90% discount on the SAT exam fee. This brings the ₹12,000 fee down to ₹1,200.

Indian Universities Accepting SAT Scores

The following Indian universities are the members of the India Global Alliance that accept SAT scores for admissions. It is important to note that some of these universities may accept SAT scores for admission, but not provide scholarships under the India Scholars program by College Board.

University Name	Accepts SAT for Admission (for Indian Residents)	Accepts SAT for Admission (for Foreign Nationals & Non-resident Indians)	Participates in the India Scholars Program
Ahmedabad University	Yes	Yes	Yes
Alliance University	Yes	Yes	No
Amity University Noida	Yes	Yes	Yes
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Amrita School Of Engineering	Yes	Yes	No
Ashoka University	Yes	Yes	Yes
Azim Premji University	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bennett University	Yes	Yes	No
BITS Pilani Vidyavihar Campus	No	Yes	No
BML Munjal University	Yes	Yes	Yes
Chitkara University	Yes	Yes	No
FLAME University	Yes	Yes	No
GITAM University	Yes	Yes	No
Indian School of Business and Finance	Yes	Yes	No
International Institute Of Information Technology, Hyderabad	No	Yes	No
Jagdish Sheth School of Management	Yes	Yes	No
Jagran Lakecity University	Yes	Yes	No
JSS Academy Of Higher Education And Research, Mysuru	Yes	Yes	No
KIIT University	Yes	Yes	No
KREA University	Yes	Yes	No
Mahindra University	Yes	Yes	No
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies	Yes	Yes	No
Manipal University Jaipur	Yes	Yes	No
Masters Union	Yes	Yes	No
MIT World Peace University, Pune	Yes	Yes	No
NICMAR University	Yes	Yes	No
NMIMS Deemed University	Yes	Yes	Yes
OP Jindal Global University	Yes	Yes	No
Pandit Deendayal Energy University	No	Yes	No
Plaksha University	Yes	Yes	No
Rishihood University	Yes	Yes	No
S P Jain School of Global Management	Yes	Yes	No
Sai University	Yes	Yes	No
Shiv Nadar University	Yes	Yes	No
Shoolini University Of Biotechnology And Management Sciences	Yes	Yes	No
Sri Sri University	Yes	Yes	No
Srishti Manipal Institute Of Art, Design And Technology	Yes	Yes	No
SRM Institute of Science and Technology	Yes	Yes	No
SRM University AP Amaravati	Yes	Yes	No
Symbiosis School For Liberal Arts	Yes	Yes	No
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University	Yes	Yes	No
Thapar Institute of Engineering And Technology	Yes	Yes	No
Universal AI University	Yes	Yes	No
University of Petroleum and Energy Science (UPES)	Yes	Yes	No
Vidya Institute of Fashion Technology	Yes	Yes	No
Vidyashilp University	Yes	Yes	No
Vijaybhoomi University	Yes	Yes	No
World University of Design	Yes	Yes	No
Woxsen University	Yes	Yes	No

Understanding SAT Scores

SAT scores are mainly divided into two parts: Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW). Your total SAT score, which ranges from 400 to 1600, is the sum of these two section scores (each ranging from 200 to 800). Universities typically look at your total score as well as the individual Math and EBRW scores when reviewing your application.

However, for admission into highly selective or reputed colleges, a more detailed breakdown of your performance may also be considered. This includes the Test Scores, which range from 10 to 40 and are based on your performance in the Reading, Writing & Language, and Math sections. These scores help highlight your strengths and weaknesses in each specific area of the test and provide a more complete picture of your academic abilities. Please refer to the table below for more information on different sections of the SAT scores. 

Score Type	Score Range	What It Means
Total Score	400 – 1600	Your overall SAT score. It’s the sum of your Math score and your Reading & Writing score. This is the number most colleges look at first.
Section Scores	200 – 800	You get two scores here: one for Math and one for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW). Each is worth up to 800 points.
Test Scores	10 – 40	These show how you did in each individual part: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. Give a deeper look into your performance.
Cross-Test Scores	10 – 40	Measures how well you analyse History/Social Studies and Science-related content, using questions from all sections.
Subscores	1 – 15	Focuses on specific skills across Reading, Writing, and Math. Helpful to see your strengths and areas to improve. The 7 skill areas are: Command of Evidence Words in Context Expression of Ideas Standard English Conventions Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Data Analysis Passport to Advanced Math

SAT Scholarships in India

The College Board has teamed up with leading Indian universities to establish a consortium of educational institutions called the India Global Alliance (IGA). The alliance offers a platform for Indian educational institutions to collaborate with some of the world’s most renowned universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Cambridge, Columbia University, McGill University, and the University of Hong Kong, among others.

As part of this initiative, universities within the India Global Alliance accept SAT scores for admissions. Moreover, participating universities provide scholarships to top performers in the SAT exams based on their financial needs. The scholarships cover up to 100% of the course fees of the student if they are a top performer on the SAT and have scored above 1300 on the test. 

SAT Preparation: How to Prepare for the SAT?  

College Board has officially joined hands with Khan Academy, a leading educational platform renowned for its online tools and resources, to provide free SAT practice accessible on both mobile devices and laptops. Students can access personalised practice plans tailored to their diagnostic results through the official SAT practice platform. This partnership aims to offer world-class SAT preparation resources to all students, completely free of charge.

Khan Academy offers thousands of practice questions, interactive problems, videos, lessons, and 8 full-length practice tests to students so they have ample preparatory study material to familiarise themselves thoroughly with the SAT exam pattern.

FAQs

Is there a SAT exam in India?

Yes, the SAT exam is available in India. The College Board conducts the exam at designated test centres in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

How much does the SAT exam cost in India?

For Indian students, the SAT exam typically costs around USD 111 (approximately ₹12,000), which includes both the registration fee and the international regional fee.

Is the SAT harder than the NEET?

The SAT and NEET assess different skill sets. The SAT tests reading, writing, and math reasoning, while NEET focuses on biology, chemistry, and physics for admission to medical programs.

Does BITS Pilani accept SAT?

Yes, BITS Pilani Vidyavihar Campus accepts SAT scores for admissions. However, BITS also conducts its own entrance exam, BITSAT, as a primary evaluation method.

How can you get a discount on the SAT exam fees in India?

Students can apply on the Buddy4Study website for SAT fee discount vouchers. Those with a family income below ₹8 lakhs can get up to 90% discount, and students with income between ₹8–15 lakhs are eligible for a 50% discount.

Which universities accept the SAT in India?

Around 48 colleges in India accept SAT scores for admissions. These include Ashoka University, Azim Premji University, Bennett University, Ahmedabad University, and more.

What is the eligibility for the SAT exam for Indian students?

There is no specific eligibility set by the College Board. Typically, Indian students in Class 11 or 12, aged 13 or above, can register for the SAT exam online.