SAT Test Dates 2026–2027: Every Date, Deadline, and Score Release

The SAT is offered on eight Saturdays in the 2026–2027 testing year: August 22, September 12, October 3, November 7, and December 5, 2026, then March 6, May 1, and June 5, 2027. Regular registration closes 15 days before each test date, late registration closes about four days after that for a $38 fee, and digital SAT scores are released roughly 13 days after test day. All eight administrations use the digital SAT, and U.S. and international students test on the same global schedule.

The next SAT is August 22, 2026

Regular registration for the August 22 SAT closed on August 7, 2026. Late registration closes August 11, 2026 and carries a $38 late fee with a narrower choice of test centers. College Board lists the score release for this date as September 4, 2026.

If you miss August 11, the next available date is September 12, 2026, with a regular registration deadline of August 28, 2026.

Full SAT schedule 2026–2027

All eight test dates and regular registration deadlines are confirmed by College Board. Score release dates marked expected are calculated at test date plus 13 days, which matches the observed digital SAT turnaround. College Board's official commitment is two to four weeks. Always confirm current dates on College Board's SAT Dates and Deadlines page before you register.

There is no national SAT administration in January, February, April, or July.

Which SAT date should you take?

The dates are the easy part. The decision that actually affects your application is which one you sit for, and that depends entirely on your graduation year and the deadlines you're working toward.

Seniors applying Early Decision or Early Action

Take October 3, 2026. Scores release around October 16, which clears a November 1 early deadline with roughly two weeks to spare — enough margin for the 7 to 10 days colleges need to process incoming scores.

The November 7 SAT falls after November 1. Those scores cannot reach schools in time for most early rounds. A minority of colleges accept November scores for early applications, but that is a school-by-school policy you must confirm directly with each admissions office. Never assume it.

If October 3 is your only shot and you want insurance, register for August 22 or September 12 as well. Two attempts before the early deadline is a far stronger position than one.

Seniors applying Regular Decision

August 22, September 12, and October 3 all work comfortably. Scores land well before January 1 deadlines with room for a retake.

December 5 is the last usable date, and it is tight. Scores release around December 18, then take another 7 to 10 days to reach colleges landing directly on a January 1 deadline. Some schools process it; some don't. Confirm with each college before you rely on it. If December is your plan, it should be your backup plan, not your only one.

Juniors (Class of 2028)

Take March 6 or May 1, 2027 for your first attempt. This gives you a real score before senior year begins and leaves August, September, and October 2026 open as retake dates.

Plan for two sittings from the start. Most students improve on a second attempt, and treating the first as a diagnostic rather than a verdict takes considerable pressure off test day.

Sophomores

There's no reason to sit the SAT yet. Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October of your junior year. It's the qualifying test for National Merit and start SAT prep the summer before junior year.

How SAT registration deadlines work

Each test date carries two deadlines.

The regular registration deadline falls 15 days before test day. This is the real deadline. Registering by this date gets you the standard $68 fee and the widest choice of test centers.

The late registration deadline falls roughly four days after the regular deadline. Late registration adds a $38 fee and leaves you with whatever test centers still have seats  which, in high-demand areas, may mean a considerable drive.

Once the late deadline passes, you generally cannot register for that date at all. College Board does not currently offer standby or waitlist testing.

Register earlier than you think you need to

Test centers fill before the deadline, not at it. Popular metros routinely run out of seats weeks early, and families have had to travel hours to find an open center. The practical advice: register the day you commit to a date, not the day you feel prepared. Preparation is what the weeks before the test are for.

If you need to borrow a device through College Board's Device Lending program, the request must be submitted at least 30 days before test day earlier than the standard registration deadline. Accommodations approval takes longer still. Both are common reasons students miss a date they thought they had time for.

When do SAT scores come out?

Digital SAT scores are typically available about 13 days after test day, viewable in your College Board account. College Board's official language is two to four weeks, so 13 days is typical and four weeks is the outer edge.

Scores post in batches throughout release day, generally starting around 8:00 a.m. Eastern. If yours isn't visible first thing in the morning, that's normal. It often appears by afternoon.

After your scores reach you, colleges receive them approximately 7 to 10 days later. Factor that lag into every deadline calculation. A score that arrives on December 18 is not a score a college has on December 18.

Scores are released on the same schedule for U.S. and international students. The digital SAT runs on one global schedule; if you've read that international scores come out later, that information is outdated.

SAT fees for 2026–2027

Students who qualify for a College Board fee waiver pay nothing for base registration and receive additional benefits, including free score reports.

Additional charges apply for test center changes, date changes, cancellations, and score reports beyond the free allotment. These figures vary across sources, so check College Board's official fee page for current amounts before you register.

The SAT Essay has been permanently discontinued. There is no essay fee.

How to register for the SAT

1. Create a College Board account at collegeboard.org if you don't have one.
2. Choose your test date using the schedule above, working backward from your application deadlines rather than forward from today.
3. Search available test centers before you commit. Availability varies significantly by region and fills early.
4. Complete registration and pay the $68 fee, or apply your fee waiver.
5. Request accommodations or device lending if needed at least 30 days before test day.
6. Download Bluebook, College Board's digital testing app, and complete the exam setup before test day.

Special testing situations

Sunday testing is available the day after each Saturday administration for students who cannot test on Saturday for religious reasons, unless that Sunday falls on a religious holiday. Request it through College Board when you register.

SAT School Day lets some students take the SAT at their own school during a school-day window rather than on a weekend. The fall 2026 in-school testing window runs October 1–30, 2026. Ask your counselor whether your school participates it's often free and considerably more convenient than weekend testing.

International students take the SAT on the same eight dates with the same deadlines. Registration costs $68 plus a $43 regional fee.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next SAT test date?

The next SAT is Saturday, August 22, 2026. Late registration closes August 11, 2026.

How many times is the SAT offered each year?

The SAT is offered eight times in the 2026–2027 testing year: five dates in fall 2026 (August, September, October, November, and December) and three in spring 2027 (March, May, and June). There is no national SAT administration in January, February, April, or July.

How long before the test does SAT registration close?

Regular registration closes 15 days before each test date. Late registration stays open for roughly four additional days and adds a $38 fee, with a narrower choice of test centers.

When do SAT scores come out?

Digital SAT scores are typically released about 13 days after test day, viewable in your College Board account. College Board's official window is two to four weeks. Scores reach colleges approximately 7 to 10 days after they reach you.

What is the last SAT date for early applications?

October 3, 2026 is the last date whose scores reliably arrive before November 1 early deadlines. The November 7 date falls after November 1, so most colleges cannot use those scores for early rounds.

Are SAT test dates the same for international students?

Yes. The digital SAT runs on one global schedule, so international students test on the same dates with the same deadlines. International registration costs $68 plus a $43 regional fee.

How much does the SAT cost in 2026?

The SAT registration fee is $68 for U.S. students. International students pay $68 plus a $43 regional fee. Late registration adds $38. Students who qualify for a College Board fee waiver pay nothing for base registration.

Can I register for the SAT after the late deadline?

Generally no. Once late registration closes for a date, you must wait for the next administration. College Board does not currently offer standby or waitlist testing.

Is the SAT offered on Sundays?

Sunday administrations are available the day after each Saturday date for students who cannot test on Saturday for religious reasons, unless that Sunday falls on a religious holiday. Request Sunday testing through College Board when you register.

How many times should I take the SAT?

Most students take the SAT two or three times. Scores commonly improve on a second attempt, so plan for at least two dates from the start rather than treating your first sitting as final.