In an ideal world, everything would always go according to plan. Roads would never be closed. Traffic would always flow perfectly. Accidents, injuries, sicknesses—they wouldn’t happen.

Unfortunately, the unexpected does happen. Things go wrong. We miss a bus. We get snowed in. We get sick. We over-sleep. You name it. We’re human, right?

But what happens if something gets in the way of your SAT day? It might not be your wedding day, but it’s still a pretty big deal.

Well, fortunately, the College Board is an organization made up of human beings who also happen to live in this world full of imperfections. They understand that, with roughly 1.8 million students taking the SAT each year in testing sites all over the world, some “stuff” is bound to happen on test day.

You just might run into a situation where you need to make changes to your SAT test date. Keep reading and I will tell you how to reschedule the SAT.

How to Reschedule SAT Tests

If, for some reason, you need to reschedule your SAT test date, it’s a pretty simple process. However, there is a fee. Expect to pay $29 to reschedule. And next test season, that fee will raise to $30.

Whether you need to change your SAT, your SAT Subject Tests, or both—the process is the same. Follow the directions below:

1. Sign into your College Board account.
2. The landing page will show the tests you have registered for. Under the test date you need to change, select “Change Registration.”
3. Your test ticket information will now be shown. Scroll to the bottom and select “Change My Test Date.”
4. From there, you will see test date options. Choose your new SAT test date and your preferred test center.
5. You will then be asked to confirm your information and pay your fee. Have your debit or credit card ready.

After you complete this process, you will be sent a confirmation email with your new test admission ticket and SAT date. Make sure you save and/or print this. You will need that printed admission ticket to be able to get into your testing center.

Reasons to Reschedule Your SAT

Because there is a fee every time you reschedule your SAT test, you should carefully consider what are valid reasons:

Important Scheduling Conflicts

Sometimes schedules are beyond your control. It could be a championship basketball game that wasn’t on your radar when you originally registered. Maybe you have an unexpected family trip. Sometimes there are weddings or funerals that take precedence over your test date. If it’s an important event that you just can’t miss, you do have the option to reschedule.

Lack of Preparation

Maybe you just aren’t ready. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just aren’t able to put in the time needed to study. If this is your feeling, weigh your options carefully. Make sure it isn’t just test jitters telling you that you aren’t ready. And before you jump to reschedule, make sure you are giving yourself enough time to get the results before college application deadlines.

You Were Late or Missed the Test

It’s happened before. You overslept. You don’t give yourself enough time to get through traffic. There was an accident. Whatever the reason, if you arrive after the test starts, you will not be admitted.

Maybe you got sick the morning of your test and missed. Don’t worry. College Board doesn’t ask why. And fortunately you have the option of changing your testing date, even after it passes. The process to reschedule the SAT is always the same no matter when you do it. Of course, there is a fee.

What if I Registered By Mail?

If you registered by mail, you also can reschedule your SAT. But you must do so by going online. You will first need to create a College Board account. To do so, start at the College Board account page and select “Sign Up.” Once you have completed your account, you will reschedule as described above.

How to Reschedule the SAT for Test Center Closures

It is rare for a test center to close, but sometimes there are conditions that require a testing site to cancel on your test date. Test center coordinators will notify the local media should something go wrong—natural disasters, inclement weather, power outages, or other problems that make testing impossible.

If you’re concerned about a possible closure, check your local news media first. You may also check to see if there is on update on College Board’s Test Center Closings page.

If your test center is closed, you will not be responsible for rescheduling your own test date. A makeup test date will be scheduled as soon as possible. College Board will send an email with information regarding your new test date. Makeup test dates will also be listed on the Test Center Closings page.

You will need to sign in to your College Board account and print a new Admission Ticket with your updated test date and center. You must bring this with you to your makeup test date. There is no additional fee for a makeup date.

Changing Between General SAT and SAT With Essay

Maybe you signed up for the SAT with Essay and you are having second thoughts. Or maybe, you signed up for the General SAT and realized you need to add the Essay. You may make these changes from your account before the test date. There is no fee for this change, but you will need to pay the additional cost of the Essay.

If you decide at the testing center that you would like to try to take the SAT with Essay, this is a possibility. It is up to the test center coordinator, and will depend on availability of materials and space. If you are able to get in, you will be seated after other students.

Making Subject Test Changes

If for some reason you need to change your SAT Subject Tests, you may do so by signing in to your account and making these changes before your test date. You will need to print an updated admission ticket showing this change.

Often, you can change the SAT Subject Test you are taking on test day. Language and Listening Tests are the exceptions because they require special equipment. And if you have test accommodations, your flexibility on test day is also limited.

Can I Cancel My SAT?

The short answer—yes. You may do so by signing in to your College Board account and following the prompts to cancel your test. However, you may want to consider rescheduling. If you are going to register again at a later date, it will save you money to reschedule your SAT instead of cancelling it.

Rescheduling Takeaways

Fortunately, the College Board is willing to work with students. They understand unexpected life events happen. High school is a busy time of life. Always do what you can to make your original SAT test date. But if something happens, use your rescheduling options—and the sooner, the better.