Doc: Eligibility for Digital SAT Exam | How to Prepare for Digital SAT PDF Download

Digital SAT Eligibility Criteria Overview

The Candidates who are looking to enroll in an undergraduate program at a college or university in the United States of America and many other countries across the world take the Digital SAT exam. However, in certain cases, the candidates can appear in Digital SAT exam for scholarships, financial aid, or other programs that require a college admission test as part of their application process. 

The Digital SAT assesses a candidate's mathematical, writing, and reading comprehension skills and is based on what they have learned in high school.

Here’s an overview of Digital SAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria:

Age Requirements for Digital SAT

The College Board does not set specific eligibility criteria for students taking the Digital  SAT exam in 2024, meaning anyone can take the exam regardless of their age. However, it's common for high school students between the ages of 16-19 to take the Digital SAT. 

• If a candidate is under 13 years old, they can only register for the exam through the mail. Such candidates need not pay the phone registration fee. 
• Students studying in a grade below eighth need not include a photo while doing their Digital SAT registration. However, they must carry a valid photo ID at the test centre. 
• If a candidate is over 21 years old, they must bring a government-issued photo ID to the test centre on exam day.

Educational Qualification required for Digital SAT

There are no prior educational qualifications required to take the Digital SAT exam. The College Board does not impose any such restrictions and does not require students to provide their educational background during registration.
The test focuses on the topics and content typically taught in high school and is designed for students who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree.

Valid ID Proof for Digital SAT

For the Digital SAT exam, there are strict requirements for acceptable forms of identification. Only government-issued IDs are approved for Digital SAT eligibility. For Indian students, a valid passport is the only acceptable ID proof for taking the Digital SAT. It is important to note that the ID must be unexpired, presented in its physical form, and not a photocopy.
The following forms of ID are not acceptable for the Digital SAT exam: 

• IDs that are torn, worn out, or damaged 
• Documents produced on an electronic device 
• Any ID that has been digitally altered or tampered with 
• Birth certificates 
• Social security cards 
• Employee ID cards 
• Missing Child ID cards 
• Any temporary ID cards issued

Eligibility Criteria for Students with Disability

The Digital SAT eligibility criteria also accommodates students with disabilities, who can take the test with special facilities. These candidates must inform the College Board about their disabilities prior to the test date. They should also check for all the additional accommodations approved by the College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) unit. Once the accommodations have been approved, they can be used for the Digital SAT exam.
The special facilities for disabled students taking the Digital SAT include: 
1. Timing and Scheduling 

• extended time: time and one-half (+50%), double time (+100%), more than double time (>+100%) 
• extra/extended breaks 

2. Reading/Seeing Text 

• text to speech 
• braille with raised line drawings contracted

3. Recording Answers 

• writer/scribe to record responses 
• braille writer

4. Modified Setting 

• small-group setting 
• wheelchair accessibility

5. Other with permission for food/drink/medication 

• permission to test blood sugar w auditory amplification/FM system

Eligibility for Digital SAT Fee Waiver

Digital SAT Fee Waivers are available to 11th and 12th-grade students who are in need of financial assistance, as well as international students in the US or US territories and US citizens living abroad. To be eligible for an Digital SAT Fee Waiver, a student must meet certain financial criteria.
The income eligibility guidelines for an Digital SAT Fee Waiver are:

• The applicant is enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
• The total annual family income of the applicant falls below the range set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services.
• The applicant is part of a federal, state, or local program designed to assist low-income students, such as TRIO programs.
• The applicant's family is considered low-income and receives public assistance or financial aid programs.
• The applicant is homeless or resides in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home.
• The applicant is a ward of the state or an orphan.

In addition to these criteria, the applicant must also submit their parent's income tax records in order to be eligible for the Digital SAT Fee Waiver.

To be considered as a low-income student or a student with financial need for Digital SAT Fee Waiver, the total income of the applicant's family must meet certain guidelines:

• For a family of 1, the total income must be less than $23,606; 
• For a family of 2, less than $31,894
• For a family of 3, less than $40,182
• For a family of 4, less than $48,470
• For a family of 5, less than $56,758
• For a family of 6, less than $65,046

For each additional family member, $8,288 must be added to the income threshold in order to remain considered as low-income.

Registration Documents required for Digital SAT

The most convenient and fastest way to register for the Digital SAT is online, although there is an option to register through mail as well. However, students who choose to register by phone will be charged an extra $15 fee. Registering online takes approximately 20 minutes and starts with creating a free College Board account. This involves answering some questions and creating a username and password. If you choose to register by mail, you should check with your high school counselor for the necessary application information.

After setting up your online account, you'll need to provide the following information:

To take the Digital SAT, the documents are required to meet specific requirements:

• A government-issued or school-issued ID that is valid until December of the current school year.
• The documents must be original and not photocopied or electronic.
• The name on the admission ticket and the ID must match exactly and be written in full, in proper form, and legally.
• A recent photo that matches the admission ticket and meets the test day requirements.
• The documents must be in good condition with understandable English text and photographs.

In India, Ghana, Nepal, Nigeria, and Pakistan, the College Board mandates that only a valid passport with the candidate's name, photo, and signature is considered a valid form of identification for Digital  SAT testing. No other form of ID is accepted, and there are no exceptions to this rule.

Eligibility Criteria for Photo

Digital SAT test eligibility letter stated by the College Board asks candidates to provide a photograph that will be used as a part of the admission ticket and also during the security checking process. The photo is verified at the Digital SAT test centers. 
The photograph should not contain:

• wearing sunglasses
• another person visible in the photo
• Unrecognizable due to low picture quality
• Head covered by a hat or other stuff, not due to religious purpose though
• Any other sort of digital tampering

The acceptable photograph according to Digital SAT eligibility criteria include features like:

• The candidate is instantly identifiable
• The only person in the picture
• Head and shoulders view with eyes, hair, face, and head covering prominently visible
• Focused picture
• No dark shadows
• Black and white pictures are also acceptable