The SAT is offered eight times during 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.
College Board now lists the same test dates for U.S. and international students, so wherever you test, you’re choosing from the same calendar. Registration usually closes about two and a half weeks before each test date.
That’s the easy part. The harder question is which of those dates is right for you. The rest of this guide gives you the full schedule with deadlines, then walks through a simple way to pick the date that fits your college timeline, your retake plan, and your life. (New to the SAT? Start with our complete guide to what the SAT test is.)
Table of Contents
SAT Test Dates 2026-2027
Here is the full SAT schedule for the 2026-2027 testing year. These dates and deadlines apply to both U.S. and international test takers.
| SAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| August 22, 2026 | August 7, 2026 | August 11, 2026 |
| September 12, 2026 | August 28, 2026 | September 1, 2026 |
| October 3, 2026 | September 18, 2026 | September 22, 2026 |
| November 7, 2026 | October 23, 2026 | October 27, 2026 |
| December 5, 2026 | November 20, 2026 | November 24, 2026 |
| March 6, 2027 | February 19, 2027 | February 23, 2027 |
| May 1, 2027 | April 16, 2027 | April 20, 2027 |
| June 5, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 |
All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. ET. Late registration costs an extra fee (more on that below), so aim for the regular deadline whenever you can.
A few things worth knowing:
- The SAT is fully digital. Since 2024, every administration in the U.S. is taken on a laptop or tablet, runs about 2 hours and 14 minutes, and gives you an on-screen Desmos calculator for the entire Math section. If you’ve seen older guides that mention paper booklets or SAT Subject Tests, ignore them. College Board retired Subject Tests back in 2021, so you no longer need to plan your calendar around them.
- Scores come back fast. Most students get their digital SAT scores in about two weeks (College Board’s official window is two to four weeks), far quicker than the month-plus the old paper test took.
Pro tip: Popular test centers fill up, especially for fall dates. Register as early as you can so you get a seat near home rather than a center an hour away on a Saturday morning.
College Board has also released its anticipated 2027-2028 dates: August 28, September 18, October 2, November 6, and December 4, 2027, then March 4, May 6, and June 3, 2028. Treat those as tentative, since College Board can still adjust them.
How to Choose Your Best SAT Test Date
Most date lists stop at the calendar. But the date you pick has a real effect on your score and your applications. Here’s how to choose well.
Start from your college deadlines and work backward
Your test date has to leave time for two things: scores to be released (usually about two weeks, and up to four) and colleges to receive them.
- Applying early action or early decision (deadlines around November 1): Take the SAT by August. Scores arrive in early September, comfortably before your deadlines, and you still have October as a backup.
- Applying regular decision (deadlines around January 1): Test by October, or November at the latest. December scores can cut it close for January 1 deadlines, so use December only if you have to.
- Still a junior: You have the most freedom. A fall or spring test date in junior year lets you see a real score with plenty of time to retake before applications.
Leave room for at least one retake
Very few students hit their goal on the first try, and that’s normal. Many colleges superscore, meaning they combine your best Math and your best Reading and Writing sections across test dates. Policies vary by school, so confirm each one’s, but where superscoring applies a retake can only help.
Build your plan around two attempts, since retaking the SAT usually helps and rarely hurts. If your first date is in the fall, your retake can be the next available date six to eight weeks later, while the material is still fresh.
Give yourself enough time to prep
The students who see the biggest jumps usually give themselves one to three months of focused study before test day, not a frantic week.
Before you lock in a date, take a free SAT practice test to see where you’re starting. The gap between your baseline and your target score tells you how much runway you need, and that should drive which test date you circle.
Pro tip: Pick your date and your study plan together, not separately. A Magoosh SAT study schedule counts backward from your test date so you know exactly what to do each week. If the plan won’t fit before your first-choice date, that’s a sign to pick the next one.
Avoid your busiest weeks
Look at the dates next to your own calendar. The June SAT lands right on top of final exams and AP testing for many students. In our experience, students who try to prep for a June SAT while juggling finals and APs tend to score lower than they would on a calmer date. If June is your only option, start prepping in the spring so test week isn’t a pileup.
Quick guide by situation
| Your situation | Dates to target |
|---|---|
| Junior planning ahead | A fall or spring date junior year, leaving senior fall open for a retake |
| Senior, early action/decision | August (October as backup) |
| Senior, regular decision | October, or November at the latest |
| Retaking | The next date that gives you 4-6 weeks to fix specific weak areas |
SAT Registration Deadlines and Fees
You register for the SAT through your College Board account at satsuite.collegeboard.org. Registration for the upcoming fall dates is open now.
Here’s what it costs in the U.S.:
- SAT registration fee: $68. International test takers pay an additional fee on top of this.
- Late registration: about $38 extra if you sign up after the regular deadline but before the late deadline.
- Changing your date: There’s no simple “reschedule.” To move to a different date, you cancel your current registration (a $34 fee) and register for the new one. To change only your test center, the fee is also $34.
If the cost is a barrier, fee waivers are available for eligible U.S. students and cover the registration fee plus late fees and several score reports. Your school counselor can tell you whether you qualify. You can confirm any of these amounts on College Board’s official test fees page, since fees can change year to year.
Pro tip: Your first four score reports are free if you send them within nine days of your test date. Decide which colleges to send to before that window closes and you’ll save $15 per report later.
PSAT/NMSQT Test Dates
The PSAT/NMSQT isn’t the SAT, but it’s worth a mention because it’s both a low-stakes practice run and the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships.
Unlike the SAT, you don’t register for the PSAT/NMSQT yourself. Your school chooses a date within College Board’s fall testing window, which runs from mid-October into early November, and administers it on campus. Ask your counselor for your school’s exact date. If you want to use it as practice, treat it like the real thing and prep beforehand.
SAT Test Date FAQs
How many times can I take the SAT?
As many times as you want. Because many colleges superscore (combining your best section scores across dates), retaking the test can raise your application score and won’t hurt it. Two or three attempts is common.
Are international SAT dates different from U.S. dates?
No, not anymore. With the digital SAT, College Board publishes one schedule that applies to all students worldwide. International test takers pay an extra fee, but the test dates are the same.
When will I get my SAT scores?
Most students receive their digital SAT scores about two weeks after test day, though College Board’s official window is two to four weeks. College Board posts the exact release date for each administration in your account.
Can I change my SAT test date after I register?
Yes, but there’s no direct swap. You cancel your existing registration for a fee and register again for the new date. Build in a little buffer so a schedule change doesn’t push you past a college deadline.
What’s the best SAT date for a junior?
A fall or spring date during junior year is ideal. It gives you a real score early, time to study your weak areas, and a clear shot at a retake before senior-year applications.
Is there really a September SAT?
Yes. Since the SAT moved to its digital, year-round calendar, the fall season includes August, September, October, November, and December dates. That early-fall September date is useful if you want scores in hand before early-application deadlines.
The right SAT date is the one that gives you enough time to prepare, leaves room for a retake, and lands before your college deadlines. Once you’ve circled yours, Magoosh SAT prep can help you make the weeks in between count.
