Updated June 5, 2026 • Fall 2026 SAT registration is open
SAT Test Dates 2026–2027: Deadlines & Score Releases
See the official SAT test dates for 2026–2027, including registration deadlines, late/change deadlines, score release dates, and the best fall 2026 test dates before seats fill up.
Quick Answer: What Are the SAT Dates 2026?
The SAT test dates in 2026 are March 14, May 2, June 6, August 22, September 12, October 3, November 7, and December 5. College Board’s latest published weekend schedule also lists March 6, May 1, and June 5, 2027.
As of June 5, 2026, registration for the June 6 SAT has closed. The most important upcoming regular deadlines are August 7, 2026 for August 22, August 28, 2026 for September 12, September 18, 2026 for October 3, October 23, 2026 for November 7, November 20, 2026 for December 5, February 19, 2027 for March 6, April 16, 2027 for May 1, and May 21, 2027 for June 5.
If you need to borrow a device, plan earlier than the standard SAT test registration deadline because College Board requires the request at least 30 days before test day.
Start Here: SAT Schedule Navigation
Jump to the part you need: official dates, registration deadlines, score release timing, sign-up steps, or a realistic testing plan.
Complete SAT Test Dates and Registration Schedule 2026–2027
This table combines the latest published SAT test dates, regular deadlines, late/change deadlines, and score release dates where available so students can plan without switching pages.
| SAT Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline | Late Registration / Change Deadline | Score Release | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 14, 2026Completed | February 27, 2026 | March 3, 2026 | March 27, 2026 | Strong first attempt for juniors who want plenty of retake flexibility. |
| May 2, 2026Completed | April 17, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | May 15, 2026 | Good for juniors who wanted more spring prep before their first official SAT. |
| June 6, 2026Registration closed | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 | June 22, 2026 | Final spring weekend date before summer; useful before senior-year applications. |
| August 22, 2026Fall | August 7, 2026 | August 11, 2026 | September 4, 2026 | Excellent for seniors after summer prep; leaves room for a fall retake. |
| September 12, 2026Fall | August 28, 2026 | September 1, 2026 | September 25, 2026 | Great for students who want early fall results without waiting until October. |
| October 3, 2026Early apps | September 18, 2026 | September 22, 2026 | October 16, 2026 | One of the most useful dates for many early action and early decision timelines. |
| November 7, 2026Regular decision | October 23, 2026 | October 27, 2026 | November 20, 2026 | Useful for regular decision, but check early application score policies carefully. |
| December 5, 2026Final 2026 date | November 20, 2026 | November 24, 2026 | December 18, 2026 | Often best for regular decision or students planning ahead for later application cycles. |
| March 6, 20272027 | February 19, 2027 | February 23, 2027 | Not yet posted | First published spring 2027 weekend date; useful for current sophomores and juniors planning ahead. |
| May 1, 20272027 | April 16, 2027 | April 20, 2027 | Not yet posted | Spring 2027 option for students who want more preparation after March. |
| June 5, 20272027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | Not yet posted | Final published spring 2027 weekend date before summer. |
Anticipated SAT Dates for 2027–2028
College Board also lists anticipated test dates for the 2027–2028 testing year. These are planning dates, not registration-deadline tables yet, so students should confirm them again before building a final registration plan.
Anticipated Fall 2027 SAT Dates
August 28, 2027 • September 18, 2027 • October 2, 2027 • November 6, 2027 • December 4, 2027
Anticipated Spring 2028 SAT Dates
March 4, 2028 • May 6, 2028 • June 3, 2028
SAT Registration Deadlines: What Students Actually Need to Know
The SAT registration deadline is the regular date by which you should finish your SAT test registration for a specific administration. The late registration or change deadline is the last window for many students to register late, cancel, or change details, but it can include additional fees and less test-center choice. A smart student treats the regular deadline as the real deadline.
College Board lists June 2026 plus the August 2026 through June 2027 SAT dates and registration deadlines. The fall 2026 schedule is especially important for seniors: August 22 has an August 7 regular deadline, September 12 has an August 28 deadline, October 3 has a September 18 deadline, November 7 has an October 23 deadline, and December 5 has a November 20 deadline. The published spring 2027 weekend dates are March 6, May 1, and June 5.
If you are searching “schedule an SAT” or “register for SAT test,” do not start with the website form. Start by choosing a date that protects your goal. Seniors usually need scores early enough for applications. Juniors usually need a first attempt early enough to retake. International students need to think about test-center availability, travel time, school exams, and local weekend schedules.
Important planning rule: If you need to borrow a device from College Board, register and request the device at least 30 days before test day. Waiting until the normal deadline may be too late for that request.
Which SAT Date Should You Choose?
The best SAT administration date depends on grade level, score goal, school workload, and whether you need time for a retake.
Best SAT Dates for Juniors
Juniors should usually aim for an early official attempt. March, May, or June can work well because you still have senior-year dates available. If you are already scoring near your target in practice, choose the earliest realistic date. If you need more content work, choose May or June.
Best SAT Dates for Seniors
Seniors often benefit most from August, September, or October. August lets you use summer prep and still leaves a backup date. October is useful for many early application plans, but do not assume every university will accept every late score.
Best SAT Dates for International Students
International students should register early because test-center seats can be limited. If your city is competitive, create a backup plan. The safest strategy is to pick one main SAT test date and one possible retake date before university deadlines.
Interactive SAT Date Planner
Select your student situation and get a practical schedule recommendation.
Recommended plan
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How to Register for the SAT Test in 2026
Pick your SAT test date
Choose from the official SAT dates 2026 schedule and make sure the score release date fits your application or scholarship timeline.
Check the registration deadline
Use the regular registration deadline as your real deadline. Late registration can cost more and may leave fewer test-center options.
Sign in to College Board
Use your College Board account to start registration. Make sure your legal name matches the ID you will bring on test day.
Choose a test center
Search nearby locations and choose a center that is practical for test-day travel. International students should register especially early.
Upload photo and review
Follow photo rules carefully, review your date, center, accommodation/device needs, and confirm every detail before paying.
Save confirmation
After payment or fee waiver confirmation, save your admission ticket, calendar reminders, and prep checkpoints.
Digital SAT Format: Why It Matters for Scheduling
Choosing a date is easier when students understand how much test content they must prepare before that date.
Reading and Writing
The Reading and Writing section has 54 questions split into two 32-minute modules. Students should prepare for short passages, vocabulary in context, grammar, transitions, evidence, and rhetorical skills.
Math
The Math section has 44 questions split into two 35-minute modules. A strong schedule gives enough time for algebra, advanced math, problem solving, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry.
Other Useful SAT Resources
SAT Score Calculator
Estimate section and total scores after practice tests so your SAT date has a clear target.
Retake StrategySAT Superscore Calculator
Combine your best section scores across test dates and decide whether another SAT administration is worth it.
Test ComparisonSAT to ACT Converter
Compare SAT and ACT performance before committing your full prep schedule to one test.
Reading PrepSAT Vocabulary Flashcards
Build context-based vocabulary strength before your test date, especially for Reading and Writing.
Section GuideSAT Reading and Writing
Study the highest-yield grammar, evidence, transitions, and rhetorical skills for the digital SAT.
Full Prep GuideHow to Ace the SAT
Turn your chosen SAT exam date into a full study plan with pacing, practice tests, and review strategy.
How to Turn the SAT Schedule Into a Real Testing Plan
Do not choose a date just because it is next on the calendar. Choose the earliest realistic SAT administration that protects preparation time, score reporting, and one backup attempt.
A strong SAT plan starts with the deadline you cannot move: your college application timeline. Work backward from early action, regular decision, scholarship, or school reporting dates, then choose the SAT administration that gives you enough weeks to prepare and enough time to review your score before decisions are due.
For most juniors, the best schedule is one spring SAT followed by a summer or early-fall retake if the first score is not enough. For seniors, August, September, and October are usually the most valuable administrations because they keep score reports close to application season without removing every chance for a second attempt. November and December can still work for regular-decision applicants, but they leave less margin for score review, superscoring, and last-minute application updates.
Before you register for the SAT test, check three practical details: whether your preferred test center has seats, whether the score release date fits your application deadline, and whether your current diagnostic score shows that you have enough time to improve. A test date should feel like a planned checkpoint, not a rushed guess.
Planning rule: the best SAT date is the earliest date you can take seriously while still leaving one later administration available if your score goal requires another attempt.
SAT Dates 2026 FAQ
Clear answers to the timing, registration, retake, and score-release questions students usually need before choosing a test date.
The SAT dates in 2026 are March 14, May 2, June 6, August 22, September 12, October 3, November 7, and December 5.
As of June 5, 2026, the next listed SAT is June 6, but registration for that test has closed. The next registerable fall 2026 SAT date is August 22, with a regular registration deadline of August 7.
The regular registration deadline for the June 6, 2026 SAT was May 22, 2026. The late registration and change deadline was May 26, 2026, and registration for that test has closed.
The fall 2026 regular deadlines are August 7 for August 22, August 28 for September 12, September 18 for October 3, October 23 for November 7, and November 20 for December 5.
For the August 2026 through June 2027 weekend SAT schedule, College Board lists the dates and deadlines as applying to all students taking the SAT, including U.S. and international students.
The published spring 2027 weekend SAT dates are March 6, May 1, and June 5. The regular registration deadlines are February 19, April 16, and May 21, respectively. The late/change deadlines are February 23, April 20, and May 25.
Register as soon as you know your target date. Early registration protects test-center choice, reduces last-minute problems, and gives your study plan a real deadline.
Late registration is available worldwide for listed weekend SAT dates, but additional fees apply and your preferred test center may not be available.
Students who need to borrow a device from College Board must register and request the device earlier than the regular registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day.
August, September, and October are usually the strongest fall options for students applying early, but you should check each college’s score deadline before choosing.
Many juniors choose March, May, or June for a first attempt. Testing before senior year gives you more flexibility for a retake and superscore strategy.
For remaining weekend SAT dates in 2026, score releases are listed as June 22 for June 6, September 4 for August 22, September 25 for September 12, October 16 for October 3, November 20 for November 7, and December 18 for December 5. Score release dates for 2027 weekend tests should be checked again when College Board posts them.
The SAT registration fee is $68 for U.S. students. International students pay $68 plus a $43 international fee. Other optional fees can apply for late registration, changes, score reports, or certain international test centers.
They usually mean the same thing for students: the official day the SAT is administered. “Administration dates” is a more formal phrase, while “test dates” is the common search term.
People sometimes use the older phrase “Scholastic Aptitude Test dates,” but the current test is called the SAT. This page lists the current SAT test schedule and registration deadlines.
Source note for editors: Dates, deadlines, score release dates, fees, and format details were rechecked against College Board on June 5, 2026; recheck before future publishing updates.