Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Strategic Reading Club
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • Roots2Words
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
March 16, 2015 by Mike Bergin

Smile! Photo Requirements for the SAT & ACT

Considering the high stakes nature of the SAT & ACT, the number of students who have been caught (or not caught) cheating on their tests over the years hardly comes as a surprise. One of the classic cheats has been to hire a youthful-looking professional to test in one’s place. No wonder the testing organizations have been ramping up their efforts in recent years to ensure that the person taking a test is the person who should be taking it!

Of course, heightened security leads to heightened anxiety, particularly when test day already evokes such anxiety. One major source of stress has been the photo submission requirements.

Both the College Board and ACT require you to provide a recent photo of yourself in order to complete your test registration. The submitted photo is used for identification and test security purposes. Relieve anxiety on test day by making sure your photo fits the following guidelines:
 

  • The photo must be a full face-and-shoulders shot, squarely facing the camera.
  • Your photo must be a clear recent image of you (and ONLY you) against a plain background.
  • Your photo must be properly focused with no bright sports, dark spots, or shadows.
  • Your photo must not be digitally altered.
  • You must use a portrait, not landscape, photo that is correctly oriented.
  • You must be facing the camera.
  • Both of your eyes must be visible: no dark glasses.
  • You may not wear hat or head covering. If you wear a head covering daily for religious reasons, adjust it to provide a full-face view.

 
Web

Also, be sure not to submit a photo of a photo or just scan your driver’s license or school ID. These images will not be of high enough quality to meet acceptable photo requirements.
 
Once you find the right image, you may either upload an approved file format or send a printed photo by mail within the designated deadline for your target test date. Follow the guidelines provided by each testing organization:

College Board: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/policies-requirements/photo
ACT, Inc: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/photo-submission-requirements.html

Last but not least, improve your check-in experience on test day by making sure your appearance is consistent with both your submitted photo and photo ID. For example, don’t grow a full beard or shave one off the day before the test. Making it harder for the test supervisor to confirm your identity will only make test day harder for you too!

ACT SAT test day

Previous articleRoots2Words Affix of the Week: IM-Next article The Do’s of Good Note-Taking
Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

Latest Posts

  • Put On Your Test Day Armor
  • Burning Questions About Testing and Admissions for the HS Class of 2022
  • Curiosity and Persistence Matter
  • Questions for First Time Test Takers
  • Exercise in Repeatedly Recalling a Thing
  • I can. I will.
    by chariotlearning 18 hours ago
    I can. I will.
  • Tough tests open doors: https://chariotlearning.com/how-tests-open-doors/
    by chariotlearning 3 days ago
    Tough tests open doors: https://chariotlearning.com/how-tests-open-doors/
  • Don
    by chariotlearning 5 days ago
    Don't just talk about it...
  • Are you a masterpiece or a work in progress? Why not both? ;)
    by chariotlearning 7 days ago
    Are you a masterpiece or a work in progress? Why not both? ;)
  • Nothing worth having comes easy.
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Nothing worth having comes easy.
  • Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
  • If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
  • Just start.
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Just start.
  • Don
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Don't stop until you're proud!
  • You were born to be awesome!
    by chariotlearning 4 weeks ago
    You were born to be awesome!

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

College Road is your source for expert educational advice, test news, college admissions action steps, special offers, and more. Sign up now!

Upcoming Events

  1. Free Practice Online SAT (3/6/21)

    March 6 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  2. Free Practice Online SAT (3/7/21)

    March 7 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  3. Free Practice Online ACT (3/13/21)

    March 13 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  4. ACT Intensive Class for the April 2021 Exam (Online)

    March 15 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  5. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Early Spring 2021 (Online)

    March 16 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

View All Events

Testimonials

Thank you so much for all of your fabulous work with Sam – it’s so helpful having that “one and done” perfect score! :)

Terry, Pittsford mom

Read more testimonials...
© 2020 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.