Can You Take the SAT After High School?

Thinking about a career change or going back to school? You might be wondering if your path forward includes a test you thought was long behind you. Let’s get the main question out of the way immediately: yes, you can absolutely take the SAT after high school. In practice, there is no official SAT age limit.

The bigger question, however, isn’t can you, but should you. For many adults, your professional experience or military service can be more valuable than a test score. This guide will help you decide.

Key Takeaways

Yes—you can take the SAT after high school; there’s no age limit. Whether you should depends on your goals: competitive programs, some scholarships, or proving current academic readiness may require a recent score. Registration is the same for everyone through the College Board, and the SAT is now a digital exam taken on a device at a testing center.

3 Scenarios Where You Might Need an SAT Score as an Adult

While many colleges are flexible with adult applicants, a recent SAT score can still be a key that unlocks specific doors. It’s often less about the university’s general policy and more about meeting a particular requirement for your unique path.

You’ll likely want to consider taking the SAT if your situation matches one of these scenarios:

• A specific, competitive program requires it. Some high-demand fields like nursing or engineering have separate, stricter admission rules for all applicants, regardless of age.
• A scholarship application lists it. Certain scholarships, even those for non-traditional students, may use an SAT score to help them select recipients.
• You need to demonstrate recent academic ability. If you have an old or non-existent academic record, a strong score provides current proof that you’re ready for college-level work.

In these cases, a good score provides concrete evidence of your skills.

How to Register for the SAT as an Adult

If you’ve confirmed you need the SAT, the registration process is the same for everyone, regardless of age. You’ll go to the College Board website, the official organization that runs the test, to get started. This is where you will find all available SAT test dates and pick a testing location near you.

Creating your College Board account without a high school affiliation is straightforward. When the online form asks for your school, you can either select an option indicating you’ve graduated or simply enter the name of the high school you attended. The system is designed for a variety of applicants, so your SAT registration as a non-student won’t present any technical roadblocks.

Finally, the test itself has changed. The SAT is now a digital exam taken on a device at a testing center. This means everyone, from teenagers to post-graduates, is focused on their own screen. The experience is much more individual and less like a high school classroom, which can ease concerns about feeling out of place on test day.