Timing of SAT score request for RD schools when there is ED pending

Do people typically wait until the ED decision comes out (which is Mid-December, usually) BEFORE requesting SAT/ACT scores to be sent to RD schools (with Jan 1 deadline)?

If you wait to find out EA decision, and you get rejected/deferred, is there enough time to THEN request the SAT/ACT scores be sent to the RD schools? (These things cost money)

Or, should I play it safe and send the SAT/ACT scores to the RD schools well in advance, knowing that if you get accepted to your ED school, it was a waste of money?

Wondering the same thing! Wish someone would answer:)

Great question!

It usually takes 1-2 weeks for a college to receive your scores once you order them. This happens because the colleges do not immediately download the scores on a daily basis. Realistically, you could wait but you would be cutting it very close. Some schools do have a grace period for when the accept SAT/ACT scores if the rest of your app is completed. But, I don’t know if I would risk waiting until the last minute. Of course, this is a decision which you will have to make. The college process is expensive. If you decide to wait there is an option to rush scores which adds an additional cost to sending the scores.

I was hoping for people who actually went through this dilemma to chime in and share what happened