The SAT is not flexible, forgiving, or interested in your intentions. It operates on strict rules, and breaking them—even accidentally—can get your SAT exam score canceled without warning. Many students assume score cancellation only happens to cheaters. That’s wrong. Most cancellations happen because of careless behavior on SAT test day.

Below are the most common SAT exam day mistakes that can cancel your score. Every one of these has cost students their results.

Bringing a Phone or Electronic Device Into the Testing Room

Phones may only be brought into an exam hall if they have been fully powered off and stored as instructed. Any time your phone rings, vibrates or lights up during an SAT exam session, its score could be cancelled immediately and scores cancelled accordingly. It does not matter if you didn’t touch it.

Smartwatches, fitness trackers, earbuds and any wearable technology such as smartwatches are also prohibited during an SAT exam; even their presence alone could constitute a violation. Even when notifications have been disabled on these items.

Using Your Phone During Breaks

One of the more misunderstood SAT rules involves phone use during breaks during an exam. You are not permitted to access or use your cell phone during this test period. Not to check messages. Not to check the time. Not to scroll for a few seconds.

Proctors actively monitor break behavior during the SAT test. If you’re caught using your phone, your SAT score can be canceled even if you followed every rule during the actual test sections.

Bringing or Using an Unapproved Calculator

The SAT allows calculators only in specific sections and only if they meet College Board guidelines; calculators with internet access, cameras or full keyboards are prohibited from usage on test day. Using an unapproved calculator—even unknowingly—is a violation of SAT exam rules.

Sharing calculators is also not allowed during the SAT test. Passing a calculator to another student can be interpreted as collaboration, which puts both scores at risk.

Continuing to Work After Time Is Called

When the proctor says stop, you stop. Continuing to write, erase, or bubble answers after time is called is considered cheating under SAT exam regulations.

This mistake happens more than people admit on SAT test day. Students think “just one more bubble” doesn’t matter. It does. Proctors are trained to watch closely at the end of each section of the SAT.

Leaving the Testing Room Without Permission

You cannot leave the room during the SAT exam unless the proctor explicitly allows it. Walking out without permission—even briefly—can lead to SAT score cancellation.

This also applies to leaving early during the SAT test. You must wait to be formally dismissed. Acting on assumptions instead of instructions is a fast way to get flagged.

Talking or Communicating With Other Test Takers

Any communication during an SAT test could be considered cheating; this includes speaking aloud, whispering softly, passing notes between students or gesturing or responding loudly when answering questions.

Even casual comments can put you on a proctor’s radar during the SAT exam. The testing environment is intentionally strict.

Bringing Notes or Study Materials Into the Room

Notes, books or formula sheets in an SAT examination room is unnecessary and could lead to suspicion from proctors - even if these materials remain undamaged during testing; their presence alone could raise red flags that your score might be invalidated if an access was attempted during your SAT test session. Studying at the test center doesn’t improve SAT performance anyway.

Ignoring or Arguing With the Proctor

Proctors document behavior during the SAT exam. Neglecting instructions, disputing with instructors or refusing to comply will likely get reported to the College Board and can make recovering your score harder than ever.

Attempting Any Form of Cheating

Looking at another student’s answers, using hidden notes, or attempting shortcuts during the SAT test guarantees score cancellation and may result in a ban from future SAT exams.

The SAT also uses post-test statistical analysis. Even if cheating isn’t caught in the room, irregular answer patterns can still flag your score later.

Final Reality Check

The SAT exam does not operate on sympathy. It operates on rules. Most score cancellations don’t happen because students are dishonest—they happen because students are careless on SAT test day.

If you want your SAT score to count, remove every avoidable risk. Follow instructions exactly. Assume nothing.

FAQs 

1. Can my SAT score be canceled for phone use during breaks?

Yes. Phone use during breaks is prohibited during the SAT exam and can cancel your score.

2. Will my SAT score be canceled if my phone rings but I don’t touch it?

Yes. Any sound or visible phone activity during the SAT test can trigger cancellation.

3. Can I appeal a canceled SAT score?

Appeals are rarely successful unless there is clear proctor error during the SAT exam.

4. Can using the wrong calculator cancel my SAT score?

Yes. Using an unapproved calculator violates SAT test rules.

5. Does writing after time is called really matter on the SAT?

Yes. Continuing to work after time is called is considered cheating during the SAT exam.