Why did you fill out the application anyway? He’s 15. He should do it himself. He needs it. Not you.
Yes, I am thinking the lesson learned here, that he should be the one leading his college application process, will make up for the inconvenience of having to sit for this test at a later date. Also, taking it because that’s what kids do at his school doesn’t seem like a good reason to me. Is this the subject he wants to showcase to colleges? If so, won’t he take AP bio, and wouldn’t it be better to test then?
To all the people telling the mom that her son should have been registering himself in the first place - that’s a bit mean-spirited. Also, how is that comment helpful after the fact? The mom is looking for support and to commiserate, and you just want to make her feel worse? Wow- not nice.
Oh, come on. “World’s worst” hyperbole for failed helicoptering? A valuable lesson was learned and the kid can take the exam later if it makes sense for him to do so.
^^Oh please. This is a mom of a freshman. If her son was a junior and she was scheduling and registering his exams, you may have a point about “Helicoptering”. But the mom may also be learning the ropes in this SAT II/SAT I world.
Like I said, these are early days. Everyone is still learning in ninth grade - student and parents.
Oh for crying out loud, OP’s son is a raising sophomore in high school, not a 30 year old man.
How many of us here have filled out firms for out husband/wife?
I sympathize. I registered one of my kids for the SAT and never noticed…until the day before…that it was at a HS about 45 minute drive away. Luckily we checked…otherwise my kid would have gone to his own high school 5 minutes from home…which is where I should have registered him!
I think if you polled kids at most testing sites, the vast majority would have some parental help with the registration process, especially the 9th graders.
This is the kind of thing is seems perfectly reasonable for parents to be doing. But it may be better for the kid to do it. Not for the reasons you may think. I don’t think it is a sign of maturity or any such thing for kids to do it but i simply screw up more than my kids do when it comes to these things. So they sort of take over-which helps me. But, to the OP, we’ve all been there in one way or another. Those of us with kids who say “no big deal” are lucky.
Everyone makes mistakes. Even the kids who do the registration can make the same mistake. Double check is the key to avoid similar things to happen. Double check yourself and with someone.
Some people say “Everything happens for a reason. . .” He needed more time to study, that’s all. He’ll get a better score by taking the test later. He’ll be thanking you for your help 
Just an honest mistake. Far, far from the worst. (H and I have a enough “bad parent” stories to fill a book, but still our kids manage to do fine.)
Don’t listen to the posters who say you should have done this or should have done that. Mistakes happen. Be proud that you raised a son who’s able to let an honest mistake slide off his back, and try to do the same!
Regardless of who’s doing the registering next time, make sure you check each other’s work. Things like this can always happen to anyone. My family has always done the same thing with airline tickets–double check to make sure we got the dates and airports right. My aunt missed my graduation one year because she booked the flight a week earlier accidentally. We all had a good laugh about it and said it was a good thing she checked before she missed her flight!
As for the kid taking care of all the registrations himself–Do you want to give your kid your credit card? (I’d rather not. . .)
You took the words right out of my mouth @oldfort! I’m wondering what makes people think that the 15 year old will magically be less fallible than the parent. Yes, then they get to own it when they book the wrong flight or the SAT test 2 hours away but that will be cold comfort.
The suggestion is that your child takes the lead by setting up their college board account, figuring out how to register, etc. It’s their college application, not yours, and they will need to navigate that college board site quite a few times. I didn’t even know my kid’s password–she handled it and called me when ready to pay. Then you come supervise when they are paying to double check that the signup is correct, because it’s a good general life practice for all important steps in this process to double check registrations, important deadlines, travel dates, whatever. At that time, you can enter the credit card number if you don’t trust your child with your credit info.
^^^ Which might have worked wonderfully for your kid and more power to her but is not the route for everyone. Kids who get help with this type of thing at this age can still go on to lead healthy, productive adult lives. It’s like the high school version of the co-sleeping vs Ferberizing debate. Guess what . . . none of them are sleeping with their parents by the time they turn 18.
When son registered for SAT by mail I included a check and failed to sign it.
I’m surprised they couldn’t let him sign up on the spot. Our schools allow for walk-ins as long as they have space adn a booklet - which they nearly always do.
If this is the worst thing that you have ever done as a parent than you are way ahead of the pack. Don’t fall apart, this is your chance to model for your son how to handle a minor setback, diappointment or problem
OP here: I have really enjoyed everyone’s comments! Yes, I did anticipate some flak for signing up my son and not having him do it. But, as others pointed out, he is a freshman and this is all new. I didn’t think my signing him up was a big deal as I am the one wielding the credit card. However, he and I have both learned a lesson that we will check each other from now on. I firmly believe getting your kid through high school is a team effort. And not only did I bring him his favorite lunch from a local burger spot and scratch his back, I have agreed to watch “Fight Club” with him today, which he has been touting as his favorite movie for some months now and has wanted me to see. Not sure it will have the same impact on me, but if it makes him happy…
There is no need to “give” your credit card to your student for this. Simply have the kid call you in at the appropriate time to input your payment information.
OP - I think your kid is getting most out of the situation. He will go far some day.
I also love auto correct, I meant to write “forms” but it came out as “firms.”