Coordinating the Test
SAT Program test centers
The SAT is administered at designated test centers throughout the world. The centers vary in size, type of location, and the test dates for which they are open. They share these characteristics:
- Affiliation with an educational institution
- Adequate facilities for testing groups of test-takers
- Secure area with limited access for protected storage of test materials
- Location that serves test-takers in a particular region
Why should your school become an SAT test center?
When your school becomes an SAT test center, you offer the following benefits for your students:
- A chance to test in familiar surroundings
- A testing site that is accessible and easy to reach
- Expanded opportunities to connect to the college that's right for them
You offer the following benefits for your school:
- Inspire students to connect to college success and beyond
- Foster a college-going culture
- Offer value-added support for students, parents and the community
You offer the following benefits for your staff:
- Compensation for SAT Test Center Staff — test center supervisor, room supervisors and proctors
- Reimbursement for some of your school's test-related expenses
- Inclusion of more staff in the college planning process
Becoming an SAT test center is easy
The two most important requirements for a test center are proper facilities, and a professional who is qualified and willing to serve as the test center supervisor. The SAT Program will provide all the necessary training, testing material and support needed to administer the SAT.
Test center staff
Test centers are staffed by educators or professional staff who:
- Have unquestionable integrity and sound judgment
- Are fluent in English and experienced in working with students
- Accept the Test Center Staff Agreement
- Have attested to the SAT Program that they:
- Do not work for private test preparation for pay that is sponsored by nonschool agencies or companies
- Have not taken SAT Program tests in the 180 days previous to their test administration
- Have no family members taking the tests during the administration
Test center facilities
Testing rooms must have proper lighting, ventilation, and seating. They must have:
- A working clock and no visible study aids (for example, maps, charts, and so forth must be covered up or removed)
- Seating with a minimum of four feet between test-takers side to side and front to back, facing in the same direction
- Unimpeded access to every desk by staff
- Desks with a minimum writing surface of 12 by 15 inches
- No partitions, dividers, study carrels, or booths
The supervisor should select rooms away from noisy areas or distracting activities. No events should be scheduled for test day that might disrupt testing.
More about test centers
Learn about becoming a test center.