SAT Test Dates 2026-2027: Full Schedule, Registration Deadlines and Score Release

The SAT is offered on 8 Saturdays for the 2026-2027 cycle: August 22, September 12, October 3, November 7, and December 5, 2026, then March 6, May 1, and June 5, 2027. Regular registration closes about three weeks before each date, with a late registration window open for another 11-12 days after that for an added fee.

Whether you are booking your first SAT or planning a retake, choosing the right date matters as much as how you prepare for it. This guide covers the complete 2026-2027 schedule with every registration deadline, what to expect on score release timing, how to pick a date that leaves room for a retake before your college application deadlines, and the early-look 2027-2028 dates College Board has already posted.

Complete SAT Test Dates 2026-2027

Test Date	Regular Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline	Expected Score Release
August 22, 2026	August 7, 2026	August 11, 2026	~September 4, 2026
September 12, 2026	August 28, 2026	September 1, 2026	~September 25, 2026
October 3, 2026	September 18, 2026	September 22, 2026	~October 16, 2026
November 7, 2026	October 23, 2026	October 27, 2026	~November 20, 2026
December 5, 2026	November 20, 2026	November 24, 2026	~December 18, 2026
March 6, 2027	February 19, 2027	February 23, 2027	~March 19, 2027
May 1, 2027	April 16, 2027	April 20, 2027	~May 14, 2027
June 5, 2027	May 21, 2027	May 25, 2027	~June 18, 2027

Important: score release dates are not officially published by College Board in advance for any test date – the figures above are estimates based on the typical 13-day pattern from previous cycles, not confirmed dates. Always verify your specific test date’s actual deadlines on College Board’s official dates and deadlines page before registering, since dates can be adjusted.

As of this writing, registration is open for all fall 2026 test dates. All deadlines expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Early Look: Anticipated 2027-2028 SAT Dates

College Board has already posted anticipated dates for the following testing year, though these are planning dates rather than final confirmed dates with registration deadlines attached yet:

• August 28, 2027
• September 18, 2027
• October 2, 2027
• November 6, 2027
• December 4, 2027
• March 4, 2028
• May 6, 2028
• June 3, 2028

Treat these as directional for long-range planning only. Registration deadlines and confirmation of these dates will follow closer to each testing window.

How to Choose the Right SAT Date

If you’re a junior planning your first attempt

Most college counselors recommend taking your first SAT in the spring of junior year – March, May, or June. By this point you have typically completed Algebra II and the bulk of the content the SAT draws on, and you still have the summer and early fall of senior year available for a retake if needed. Waiting until fall of senior year for your first attempt is the single most common scheduling mistake: it leaves little to no room for a second attempt if your score falls short of your target, and popular test centers can fill up well before the registration deadline.

If you are still deciding when to begin structured preparation ahead of your chosen date, see the complete guide on when to start SAT prep for a grade-by-grade timeline.

If you’re matching a date to college application deadlines

Work backward from your earliest application deadline, not forward from today. For Early Decision or Early Action deadlines (typically November 1 or November 15), the August 22 or September 12 dates are usually the safest choices, since scores arrive in early-to-mid September – comfortably before most ED/EA deadlines with room to spare. The October 3 date can still work for some November 1 deadlines but leaves a narrower window once you account for the estimated 13-day score release timeline.

For Regular Decision deadlines (typically January 1), the December 5 date is generally the last practical option, since scores are expected in mid-to-late December – just before most RD deadlines. Always confirm directly with each college whether they will accept scores from your intended test date, since some schools set earlier internal cutoffs than their published application deadline suggests.

If you’re planning a retake

Build in at least one additional test date beyond your first attempt before any hard deadline. A common, effective pattern: first attempt in spring of junior year, retake in August or September of senior year if needed, with the October or November date held in reserve as a final safety net. See the SAT retake strategy guide for the full framework on deciding whether and when to retake.

Registering for the SAT: Key Logistics

Register earlier than the deadline suggests. While the regular registration deadline sits about three weeks before test day, popular test centers – especially in densely populated areas – can fill up well before that deadline arrives. Aim to register 5-6 weeks ahead of your intended date to secure your preferred location. See the complete SAT registration process and fee guide for the full step-by-step walkthrough and how to apply for registration if this is your first time registering.

Late registration exists but comes with real limits. After the regular deadline passes, a late registration window stays open for roughly 11-12 days for an added fee – but this window can be as short as 4 days for some test dates, and test center availability is far more limited by this point. Treat late registration as a backup option, not a planning strategy.

Device borrowing requires extra lead time. If you need to borrow a testing device from College Board, that request must be submitted at least 30 days before test day – earlier than even the standard registration deadline. Plan for this well in advance if it applies to you.

Sunday testing is available for religious accommodation. If Saturday testing conflicts with your religious observance, College Board offers Sunday administration at select locations – this must be requested in advance and is not available everywhere.

Understanding Score Release Timing

College Board does not publish official score release dates in advance for any SAT administration – every date shown in test-prep guides, including the estimates in this article, is a projection based on the historical pattern of roughly 13 days between test day and score release, not a confirmed commitment from College Board.

In practice, this estimate has proven fairly reliable across recent test cycles, but treat it as a planning guide rather than a guarantee – particularly if you are working against a tight application deadline. See when Digital SAT scores actually come out for a deeper look at the score release process and what affects timing.

Once your scores are released, you can use LearnQ’s Digital SAT score calculator to understand exactly how your raw performance translates to your final score, and take LearnQ’s free 40-minute diagnostic if you’re planning a retake and want to identify precisely which question types to target before your next attempt. Mia, LearnQ’s AI tutor, can build a study plan around your specific test date and score gap. Take a free full-length practice test on LearnQ’s Digital SAT platform to confirm you’re ready before your registration deadline passes.

Make sure your device and Bluebook setup are confirmed well before your chosen test date – not the week of.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next SAT test date?

As of this writing, the next available SAT test date is August 22, 2026, with a regular registration deadline of August 7, 2026 and a late registration deadline of August 11, 2026. Always confirm the current next available date on College Board’s official dates and deadlines page, since availability changes as each date passes.

How many times is the SAT offered per year?

The SAT is offered 8 times during the 2026-2027 testing cycle: August, September, October, November, and December of 2026, then March, May, and June of 2027. This is generally consistent from year to year, though exact dates shift slightly each cycle.

What is the SAT late registration deadline?

Late registration typically opens immediately after the regular registration deadline closes and stays open for approximately 11-12 days, for an additional late fee. However, this window can be as short as 4 days for some test dates, so it should not be relied upon as a planning buffer – register by the regular deadline whenever possible.

How far in advance should I register for the SAT?

Register at least 5-6 weeks before your intended test date, even though the regular registration deadline is only about 3 weeks out. Popular test centers, especially in densely populated regions, can fill to capacity well before the official deadline arrives, leaving you with a longer commute to an available location or no seat at all.

When do SAT scores come out for each test date?

College Board does not publish official score release dates in advance for any administration. Based on the historical pattern, scores are typically available approximately 13 days after the test date – for example, scores for the August 22, 2026 test are expected around September 4, 2026. Treat these as estimates, not confirmed dates.

Which SAT date should I choose for Early Decision or Early Action?

For ED/EA deadlines around November 1 or November 15, the August 22 or September 12, 2026 dates are generally the safest choices, since scores are expected roughly a month or more before those deadlines. The October 3 date can work for some schools but leaves less buffer. Always confirm each college’s specific score deadline directly, since some set internal cutoffs earlier than their published application deadline.

Are the 2027-2028 SAT dates confirmed?

Not yet. College Board has posted anticipated dates for 2027-2028 (August 28, September 18, October 2, November 6, and December 4, 2027, then March 4, May 6, and June 3, 2028), but these are planning dates only – registration deadlines and final confirmation typically follow closer to each testing window.

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Sources: College Board official SAT dates and deadlines; PRiSM Learning SAT test dates 2026-2027 guide (prismlearning.academy); NUM8ERS SAT test dates and deadlines guide (num8ers.com, 2026); SATMock SAT test dates 2026-2027 schedule (satmock.org); ConnectPrep SAT & ACT test dates and deadlines guide (connectprep.com, July 2026)