What SAT Score Do I Need to Play NCAA D1? How Do I Register for My SAT?

Having good academics are just as important as having the athletic ability when it comes to playing NCAA D1 basketball. It is very important when it comes to earning a roster spot and securing a scholarship. When you are applying to schools you will need to have your GPA (grade point average) and your SAT score ready. To be NCAA eligible, you need to use the sliding scale alongside you the GPA and SAT test score. Let’s take a deeper look into what the SAT requirements are for student athletes looking to play D1.

What SAT Score Do I Need to Play NCAA D1 ?

The minimum GPA you can have to be considered an early academic qualifier for D1 is a 2.3 GPA and a 980 SAT combined score. Your core-course GPA is calculated on a 4.000 scale. Only your core courses will be used when determining your GPA with the NCAA. There are 16 core courses, which cover the following subjects: English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy. Each high school has its own list of NCAA approved core courses so make sure you check this with your school. CLICK HERE to use the worksheet to help you determine your core course GPA.

Also, you must reference the NCAA sliding scale which has been designed so that if you have a higher GPA, you can have lower SAT scores and vise versa – if you have really a high test score, you can have a lower GPA. CLICK HERE to see the NCAA’s sliding scale for D1 student athletes.

The national average score on the SAT is a 1070 but you will have to check with each school what their requirements are specifically, to make sure you are eligible.

What is the SAT Exactly?

The SAT is a college administration test. It is a mix of different tools/tests designed to assess your academic readiness for college in: reading, writing and math skills.

The NCAA uses what is called a “combined SAT” test score where they add the math and reading scores together (they do not use the written score when determining your NCAA eligibility) and, you can take the SAT as many times as you want to get the best score while you are still at high school.

NOTE: The NCAA only accepts test scores sent to them directly from the College Board so the test scores on transcripts cannot be used to certify your academic eligibility.

SAT test dates are offered throughout the year, but the deadlines to register for either test are typically at least a month in advance. Taking time out to complete your SAT registration in advance will save you stress, time and money (late fees are applicable for the SAT test).

The SAT is made up of sections (see image below). The SAT takes 3 hours and consists of the Reading Test, the Writing and Language Test, and the Math Test (fact: compared to the ACT the SAT provides 43% more time per question). Most of the questions are multiple choice, although some of the math questions do ask you to write in the answer. There is no penalty for guessing.

How do I register for my SAT?

The first thing you need to do is register an account online on the College Board website. Once you have done this you will be able to do the following:

• Choose your test date and test center in real time.
• Receive immediate registration confirmation.
• Get 24-hour access to registration for printing or correcting your Admission Ticket
• Receive and send SAT scores
• Apply online to Colleges
• Build a college list
• Complete financial aid applications
• Get email reminders

When you register for the SAT it requires you to submit an up-to-date photo with your registration and this will become part of your Admission Ticket. You will need to upload the picture in (.jpg, .gif, .png) format. When selecting your photo be considerate of the following: full-face view, in focus, be clearly identifiable as you, it will match your appearance on test day.

What are the SAT Test Dates & Deadlines?

SAT test dates and deadline may vary from year to year. These can always be found on the satsuite.collegeboard.org website where they will have the most relevant date, deadlines and information. For student athletes who live in the US and want know the SAT Dates & Deadlines CLICK HERE. For student athletes who live outside the US and are considered international student athletes, CLICK HERE for the SAT Dates & Deadlines.

How much does it cost to take the SAT?

There are small fees associated with taking the SAT test. Let’s take a detailed looked into how much taking the SAT will cost. Please be aware that the SAT Essay will no longer be offered (except when given as part of a state’s accountability assessment program).

$55 – SAT fee (non-refundable) – some student athletes may be eligible for a fee waiver
$30 – Late fee (in the U.S. only) for registering after the regular deadline but before the late registration deadline.
$53 – Waiting List fee

$25 – Change test center

$25 – to cancel registration by the change deadline.

$35 – to cancel your registration after the change deadline, through test day.

FREE – Your first four score reports are free if you order them by nine days after the test date

$12 – to get additional score reports this fee is per report

$15 – to get score by phone, this fee is per call

If you are an international student athlete the fee for your SAT test will depend on where you are from:

Africa – $43

Americas – $43

East Asia/Pacific – $53

Europe & Eurasia – $49

Middle East/North Africa – $47

South & Central Asia – $49

What do I need for my SAT Test Day?

All you will need to bring with you on your test day is some form of official government I.D. so that your identity can be verified against your Admission Ticket. The best forms of I.D. are either a passport or driving license.

COVID-19 & NCAA Eligibility Regarding SAT

COVID-19 has had an impact on NCAA eligibility and so, the NCAA Eligibility Center extended their COVID-19 initial eligibility policies for student athletes who initially enroll full-time during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years. Students who intend to play D1 basketball will not be required to take the  SAT by the NCAA. Student athletes are also allowed to use pass/fail grades for core courses through the 2021–22 academic year. REMEMBER, this exemption is for eligibility purposes only. Most schools still require their student athletes to take the SAT (or ACT) for admissions purposes and scholarships. College coaches probably will still ask to see your SAT scores to determine if you meet their academic standards.

Reasons to get a good score on your SAT

Here are four good reason as to why you show really focus in on getting the highest SAT score you possibly can:

1. SAT registration process, taking the test and submitting your scores early can help you set yourself apart from other recruits.
2. College coaches are just as interested in your academic performance as they are with your athletic abilities, they want players who take their academics seriously.
3. Many colleges provide academic scholarships to students who have a very good GPA and test score
4. When submitting an application with your grades and test scores, the application needs to be able to stand on its own and meet the schools admissions requirements.