SAT / ACT Scores
Standardised test scores. Many top US universities are now test-optional — but a strong score still moves the needle.
3-6 months prep + ~2 weeks for scores
$60 SAT registration + $14 per score report (waivers available)
College Board (online + accredited test centres in Ghana)
What it is
The SAT (College Board) and ACT (ACT Inc.) are standardised tests assessing reading, writing, and mathematics. Both are accepted interchangeably by US universities.
Why it matters
Although roughly half of US universities are test-optional in 2026, a strong score (1400+ SAT, 32+ ACT) is one of the cleanest signals of academic readiness for an international applicant. For merit scholarships, a high score is often the qualifying threshold.
How to get it
- 1
Decide which test to prepare for. The Digital SAT is more commonly taken in Ghana and Africa.
- 2
Register on the College Board website (sat.collegeboard.org). Test centres operate in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi.
- 3
Apply for a fee waiver via EducationUSA at the US Embassy in Accra if cost is a barrier.
- 4
Prepare for 3-6 months. Use the GoScholar SAT Prep Hub — free, curated by a Ghanaian who scored 1530 self-taught.
- 5
Take the test. Scores are released ~2 weeks later.
- 6
Send official score reports to your universities directly from the College Board portal.
Tips & best practices
- •Check each university's test policy before paying. If all your target schools are test-optional and you cannot prep adequately, skip the test.
- •You can self-report scores on the application; official reports go directly from College Board.
- •For merit scholarships at second-tier universities, the SAT score is often the differentiator — invest accordingly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Sitting the SAT cold without preparation. The exam is highly coachable; raw scores rarely beat prepared scores.
- •Sending official score reports to schools that don't need them — wastes ~$14 each.
- •Assuming "test-optional" means "test-blind". Most test-optional schools still consider scores when submitted.
Ghana-specific notes
The Digital SAT is offered multiple times a year in Accra and Kumasi. Visit EducationUSA at the US Embassy in Accra for free advising and possible fee waivers.
Official sources & references
GoScholar AI
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