What Admission Tests and Score Reports Really Cost: A Class of 2027 Budget for Fall 2027 Applications

Most families budget for tuition and application fees. Fewer budget for the tests that come before them. If you are a Class of 2027 senior still deciding whether to take or retake the SAT or ACT, a few clear numbers and a few clear questions can save you money and stress. This guide covers what the tests cost, what is usually included, how fee waivers work, and how to decide whether a test score is worth paying for at each college on your list.

Fees change from year to year, and colleges set their own rules, so treat every figure below as a starting point and confirm it on the testing agency's own page before you register.

How much does the SAT or ACT cost for the Class of 2027?

The College Board's 2026-27 counselor quick reference guide lists the SAT Weekend registration fee at $68. The same guide lists a $34 change fee and a $38 late registration fee, so a missed deadline can add real money to a single test date.

The ACT's registration page lists a base test fee of $70 without the writing section and $95 with writing. It also lists a $5 science add-on. The page we reviewed describes 2025-26 pricing and did not state the fee year in its body text, so check the ACT site for the current amount before you pay.

Here is a quick way to think about it for a household budget:

• One test attempt is roughly $70 at today's listed prices.
• A second attempt doubles that, and late or change fees add to it.
• Test prep materials, if you buy them, are a separate cost. Many free options exist (see below).

What is included in the price?

The ACT states that its prices include score reports for you, your school, and up to four colleges. The College Board's digital guide we reviewed did not spell out score-report details, so confirm what your SAT registration includes on the College Board student site when you sign up.

Why this matters: sending scores can cost extra after you pass any included limit, and rush delivery can cost more still. Sending scores to a college that does not require them, or to one where your score would not help you, is money with no return.

Do you need a test score at all?

Policies differ by college. Some colleges are test-optional, which means you can choose whether to submit a score. Some require scores. Some use scores for scholarships or specific programs even when they are optional for admission. A few accept self-reported scores at the application stage and ask for official reports only after you enroll.

Do not guess from a college's reputation. Open each college's admissions page and look for three things:

1. Whether scores are required, optional, or not considered.
2. Whether the policy is different for merit scholarships, honors programs, or certain majors.
3. Whether official scores are needed at the time you apply, or only after admission.

A single spreadsheet row per college keeps this simple. Add a column for the test policy beside the application deadline and the financial aid deadline. Our guide to regular decision financial aid deadlines for the Class of 2027 can help you fill in the dates.

How do fee waivers work for tests?

The College Board says eligible students who show financial need can take two free SAT Weekend tests, and more benefits are listed at sat.org/feewaivers. The ACT says you may be eligible for its Fee Waiver Program based on your location and household income, and it keeps the details on a separate page.

In both cases, the school counselor is usually the person who can confirm eligibility and help you request the waiver. Ask early, because waivers often need to be in place before you register, not after you pay.

If you already qualified for a test fee waiver, ask your counselor or the college whether you may also qualify for application fee waivers. Our post on application fee waivers and free campus visits walks through that process.

How should you decide whether to retake a test?

A retake costs money and study time. A simple check can keep you from paying for a second attempt that does not change your options.

• Compare your score to what each college on your list publishes. Many colleges share the middle range of scores for admitted students on their admissions or Common Data Set pages.
• Ask whether the extra points could change a scholarship. Some merit awards are tied to score thresholds. Others are not.
• Consider the calendar. Late test dates may produce scores after some priority deadlines, so check each college's deadline for receiving scores.
• Count the whole cost: registration, travel to a test center if needed, and any score reports beyond what is included.

If the answer to the first two questions is no, the money may be better spent on application fees or saved for the first bill.

How can you lower the cost of sending scores?

Small habits add up across a college list of eight or ten schools.

• Use the score reports that come with registration first, and choose those colleges carefully.
• Send scores only to colleges that require them or where your score helps your case.
• Ask whether a college accepts self-reported scores for admission, then send official reports later only to the college you choose.
• Check deadlines before ordering rush delivery, and request standard delivery as early as you can.
• Keep a log of which colleges received which scores and when.

Where can you find free prep that does not cost anything?

Free practice exists for families who cannot spend on prep books. Your school counselor can point to free practice tests and online programs, and the testing agencies publish practice materials on their own sites. Public libraries often keep prep books you can borrow. Ask before you buy.

An equity note: families who can afford multiple test attempts, tutors, and rush score reports have a head start. If that is not your situation, you are not behind on ability. You are working with a smaller budget, and the best strategy is to choose your test dates, score sends, and colleges with care.

What should you do this week?

1. Make a list of every college you plan to apply to and record its test policy from its own admissions page.
2. Decide whether you need a first test, a retake, or no test at all.
3. Ask your counselor about test fee waivers before you register.
4. Write down every deadline for scores, not just application deadlines.
5. Set aside a small line in your application budget for tests and score reports.

Testing costs sit beside other costs of applying, such as the CSS Profile and application fees, and all of them come before your first aid offer. Our month-by-month college funding timeline shows how these pieces fit across senior year, and our post on net cost versus sticker price explains why the bill you pay is the one that matters.

When you are ready to compare real costs, Create your free CollegeLens plan and line up your colleges side by side. File the FAFSA as soon as it makes sense for your household, since the 2027-28 form is open now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the SAT cost for the 2026-27 school year?

The College Board's 2026-27 counselor guide lists the SAT Weekend registration fee at $68, with a $34 change fee and a $38 late registration fee. Confirm current prices on the College Board site before you register.

How much does the ACT cost?

The ACT registration page lists $70 for the base test and $95 with the writing section, plus a $5 science add-on. The page described 2025-26 pricing, so check the ACT site for the current fee.

Are score reports included in the price?

The ACT says its price includes score reports for you, your school, and up to four colleges. Check the College Board student site for what your SAT registration includes.

Can I get SAT or ACT fee waivers?

Yes, if you qualify. The College Board says eligible students with financial need can take two free SAT Weekend tests, and the ACT offers a Fee Waiver Program based on location and household income. Your school counselor can help you request one.

-- Sravani at CollegeLens