Knowing the SAT test dates for 2026 and 2027 is the starting point for every college-bound student’s preparation plan. Miss a registration deadline and your child waits another two months. Register too late and your preferred test center may already be full. Plan around the right SAT test date and your child has the preparation window they need to reach their target score before applications are due.
This guide lists every national SAT test date for the 2026 and 2027 academic year with registration deadlines, late registration deadlines, and score release dates. All dates are sourced directly from College Board and current as of July 2026. It also includes a prep timeline for each test date and key information for students in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and other states Blackmon Tutoring serves.
SAT Test Dates 2025-2026: Remaining Dates
If your child is a current junior looking to test before senior year, these are the final SAT test dates remaining in the 2025-2026 academic year. SAT registration for these dates is available now through College Board.
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Score Release Date | Prep Start (10 weeks) |
| August 22, 2026 | August 7, 2026 | August 11, 2026 | September 4, 2026 | Early June 2026 |
If August is too soon for the preparation time needed, the 2026-2027 dates below offer more options starting in September.
SAT Test Dates 2026-2027: Complete Schedule
These are the confirmed national SAT test dates for the 2026-2027 academic year. Students who are current sophomores or rising juniors should use these dates to plan their testing schedule well in advance. SAT registration deadlines are firm. Late registration closes approximately four days after the standard deadline and carries an additional fee.
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Score Release Date | Recommended Prep Start |
| September 12, 2026 | August 28, 2026 | September 1, 2026 | September 25, 2026 | Late June 2026 |
| October 3, 2026 | September 18, 2026 | September 22, 2026 | October 16, 2026 | Mid-July 2026 |
| November 7, 2026 | October 23, 2026 | October 27, 2026 | November 20, 2026 | Late August 2026 |
| December 5, 2026 | November 20, 2026 | November 24, 2026 | December 18, 2026 | Late September 2026 |
| March 6, 2027 | February 19, 2027 | February 23, 2027 | TBD | Late December 2026 |
| May 1, 2027 | April 16, 2027 | April 20, 2027 | TBD | Mid-February 2027 |
| June 5, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | TBD | Mid-March 2027 |
All SAT test dates and registration deadlines are sourced from College Board and are subject to change. Check satsuite.collegeboard.org directly before registering to confirm the most current dates.
How to Choose the Right SAT Test Date for Your Child
Not all SAT test dates are equal. The best date for your child depends on their grade level, how much preparation time is available, and when their college application deadlines fall. Here is how to think through the decision:
For Current Juniors (Class of 2027)
Junior year is the primary SAT testing year for most students. The ideal approach is to take the SAT once in the fall or winter of junior year, review the results, and retake in spring or early fall of senior year if needed.
- September or October 2026: Strong first-attempt dates. Scores arrive before most early action and early decision deadlines in November. Register by late August for September or mid-September for October.
- November or December 2026: Good options for students who need more preparation time before a first attempt, or for a retake after September or October results.
- March 2027: Final spring option for juniors. Scores arrive in time for summer review before senior year testing begins.
For Current Sophomores (Class of 2028)
Sophomores have more flexibility than any other grade. Taking the SAT in fall of junior year (September or October 2026) gives a real baseline score with a full year remaining to improve before applications are due.
A common approach for sophomores is to take the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2026 as a diagnostic, review results over winter break, and register for the March or May 2027 SAT as a first official attempt.
For Students Applying Early Decision or Early Action
Early decision and early action deadlines are typically November 1 or November 15. To have SAT scores submitted before these deadlines, your child must test no later than October 3, 2026. The score release date for October 3 is October 16, which gives approximately two to four weeks for scores to be submitted to colleges electronically before most November 1 deadlines.
Do not rely on the September 12 test date if your child has a November 1 early deadline and scores need to be official. Score release is September 25, which is cutting it close. October 3 is the safer choice for early applicants.
For Students Planning a Retake
Most colleges superscore the SAT, meaning they take the highest section scores from different test dates and combine them into a new composite. This makes strategic retakes highly valuable.
A typical retake plan for a student who tested in September or October 2026 and wants to improve:
- First attempt: September or October 2026
- Review results, identify weak sections, prepare specifically on those areas
- Second attempt: November or December 2026 for fall improvement, or March 2027 for more preparation time
Allow at least 6 to 10 weeks of focused preparation between test dates. Retaking the SAT within a few weeks without meaningful preparation rarely produces significant improvement.
SAT Registration: What You Need to Know
SAT registration is completed online through the College Board website at satsuite.collegeboard.org. Your child needs a College Board account, which can be created for free during the registration process.
What You Need to Register
- A College Board account (create at collegeboard.org if your child does not already have one)
- A recent photo of your child that meets College Board’s photo requirements
- Your child’s high school CEEB code, available from the school counselor or the College Board school code search tool
- A credit card or other payment method
SAT Registration Fees for 2026
| Service | Fee | Notes |
| SAT Registration (standard) | $68 | Standard registration before the deadline. |
| Late Registration Fee | $38 additional | Applies after the standard deadline. Closes approximately 4 days after the standard deadline. |
| Score Report (additional colleges) | $16 per report | Four score reports are included free at registration. Additional reports cost $16 each. |
| Test Date or Test Center Change | $30 | To change test date or center after registration. |
| Fee Waiver | $0 | Available to eligible 11th and 12th grade students based on family income. Covers two free SAT registrations, unlimited score reports, and waived application fees at participating colleges. Ask your child’s school counselor. |
Test Center Availability by State
SAT test centers are located at high schools, community colleges, and educational facilities nationwide. Availability varies significantly by location. Here is what parents in each of our service states should know:
- Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio): High demand in DFW metro and Houston metro. Test centers in Frisco, Plano, Dallas, and Allen fill quickly for fall dates. Register as early as possible, especially for September and October.
- Florida (Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville): Strong demand in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Orlando and Tampa have more availability but still fill up for prime dates.
- Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah): Atlanta metro has high competition for fall test centers. Savannah and Athens have more availability.
- California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County): California has had documented seat shortages in recent years, particularly in LA and Orange County. Test Innovators reports families in California sometimes traveling hours to find available seats. Register immediately when the window opens.
- New York (NYC boroughs): High demand across all five boroughs. Register early for any fall date.
- Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Nebraska, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Virginia: Generally more availability than major metro areas, but popular fall dates still fill. Do not wait until the last week before the deadline.
Building Your Child’s SAT Prep Timeline
The most effective SAT preparation plans work backward from the test date. Here is the recommended prep start date for each 2026-2027 SAT test date, based on a 10 to 12 week preparation window:
| Test Date | Prep Start (10-12 weeks) | Notes |
| August 22, 2026 | Early June 2026 | Good option for students who want an early senior year score. Summer prep window. |
| September 12, 2026 | Late June 2026 | First major fall date. Ideal for rising juniors who prep over summer. |
| October 3, 2026 | Mid-July 2026 | Best option for early action and early decision applicants. Scores arrive October 16. |
| November 7, 2026 | Late August 2026 | Strong retake option after September. Good for students who need more time. |
| December 5, 2026 | Late September 2026 | Last fall option. Good for retakes after October test. |
| March 6, 2027 | Late December 2026 | First spring option. Useful for juniors who want winter prep time. |
| May 1, 2027 | Mid-February 2027 | Spring option for juniors. Scores available for most summer application windows. |
| June 5, 2027 | Mid-March 2027 | Last date before senior year. Rising seniors who want a score before summer. |
For students with less than 8 weeks before their SAT test date and a score gap that still needs closing, our SAT Accelerated Program delivers focused preparation on the highest-impact areas in a compressed timeline.
SAT School Day Testing: What Parents Need to Know
In addition to national weekend test dates, the SAT is offered as School Day testing through your child’s school. This can be a convenient option because testing happens during school hours at your child’s own school, no additional registration is required if the school is administering it, and the test is often free or low cost for students.
The School Day testing windows for 2026-2027 are:
- Fall 2026 School Day Testing Window: October 1 through October 30, 2026
- Spring 2027 School Day Testing Window: March 1 through April 30, 2027
Check with your child’s school counselor to find out whether your school participates in SAT School Day testing and whether your child is automatically included or needs to opt in.
What Happens After the SAT: Score Release and Next Steps
When Will Scores Be Released?
SAT scores are typically released approximately two weeks after the test date. Initial score release dates are listed in the table above. College Board sends an email notification when scores are available in your child’s College Board account.
College score reports are sent to colleges approximately 10 days after scores are released to students. For students with application deadlines, this timeline matters. If your child needs scores submitted by November 1 and tests on October 3, scores release on October 16 and reach colleges by approximately October 26, which is within the window for most November 1 deadlines.
What to Do With the Score Report
When scores arrive, the most important thing to do is compare the composite and section scores against your child’s target school ranges. The gap between the score received and the target range tells you whether a retake is needed and which sections to focus preparation on.
For a full breakdown of what different SAT scores mean for college admissions, see our guide to what is a good SAT score which covers score ranges by college tier, percentile breakdowns, and how the Digital SAT is scored.
Superscoring and Retakes
Most colleges superscore the SAT, meaning they take the highest section scores from different test dates and create a new composite. This means a strategic retake focused on the lower-scoring section can improve the superscored composite without requiring improvement across both sections simultaneously.
Understanding the Digital SAT format is also important for retake preparation. If your child prepared using older materials that predate the Digital SAT, see our Digital SAT 2026 parent guide to ensure preparation is aligned with the current format.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times is the SAT offered in 2026?
The SAT is offered seven times nationally in 2026: March, May, June, August, September, October, and November. An eighth date in December 2026 rounds out the calendar year, and additional dates continue into early 2027.
When does SAT registration open for 2026-2027 dates?
SAT registration typically opens approximately two to three months before each test date. College Board does not publish a single registration open date for all dates at once. Check satsuite.collegeboard.org regularly or set up registration reminders through your College Board account.
What is the late SAT registration fee?
Late registration costs an additional $38 on top of the standard $68 registration fee, bringing the total to $106 for late registrants. Late registration closes approximately four days after the standard deadline.
Can my child take the SAT in August before senior year?
Yes. The August 22, 2026 SAT date is available to current rising seniors. This is a useful option for students who want an official score before school starts in September, especially if they have prepared over the summer.
How do I find an SAT test center near me?
Use the test center search tool at satsuite.collegeboard.org. Search by zip code or city to find available locations. Availability is shown for each test format and test date. For students in Texas, the search returns centers in Frisco, Dallas, Plano, and surrounding DFW cities.
Does my child need to take the SAT more than once?
Most students benefit from taking the SAT at least twice. The first attempt establishes a real baseline. A second attempt after targeted preparation on weak sections typically produces meaningful improvement. Since most colleges superscore, there is little downside to a second attempt with proper preparation.
What is the difference between national SAT dates and School Day testing?
National SAT dates are weekend administrations that any student can register for independently through College Board. School Day testing is administered by schools during regular school hours, typically free of charge, and may be offered once in fall and once in spring. Check with your child’s school counselor to find out what is available at their school.
How do colleges receive SAT scores?
Students can designate up to four colleges to receive free score reports during registration or within 24 hours of completing the test. Additional score reports cost $16 each. Many colleges also accept self-reported scores on applications, with official score verification required after admission.
Ready to Build Your Child’s SAT Prep Plan Around Their Test Date?
Knowing the SAT test date is the first step. Knowing what to do with the prep window between now and that date is where the score improvement actually happens. At Blackmon Tutoring, our certified SAT tutors build a preparation plan around your child’s specific test date, current score, and target composite.
We offer SAT tutoring across the United States, including Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio), Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, New York, California, and many other states. Explore our SAT tutoring programs, or request a quote to find the best option based on your child’s test date and target score.
The SAT test date is on the calendar. The preparation starts today.
