Upcoming SAT Dates 2026–2027: Test Dates & Deadlines

If you’re planning to take the SAT, knowing the upcoming SAT dates is only the beginning.

You also need to know when registration closes, whether late registration is available, when scores are released, and whether your chosen test date fits your college application timeline.

For students in the United States, the next SAT Weekend date is November 7, 2026. The regular registration deadline is October 23, and the late-registration deadline is October 27. The following SAT is December 5, 2026.

This guide covers the current 2026–27 SAT Weekend schedule and explains how to choose a test date that works for your preparation and college plans.

Upcoming SAT Dates 2026–2027

Here is the current SAT Weekend schedule published by College Board:

SAT Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration / Changes
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

The August, September, and October dates are now past administrations. The remaining upcoming SAT Weekend dates are November 7 and December 5, 2026, followed by March 6, May 1, and June 5, 2027. College Board says SAT Weekend deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET in the U.S.

Before registering, always check the official College Board SAT Dates and Deadlines page because availability and deadlines can change.

If you’re planning your SAT around a specific college deadline, our SAT for College Admissions guide can help you understand how testing fits into the application timeline.

What Is the Next SAT Date?

As of September 30, 2026, the next scheduled SAT Weekend administration is November 7, 2026.

The November SAT has:

• Test date: November 7, 2026
• Regular registration deadline: October 23, 2026
• Late-registration deadline: October 27, 2026
• Scheduled student score release: November 20, 2026

If you need more preparation time after the November test, the next SAT Weekend date is December 5, 2026. Its regular registration deadline is November 20, followed by late registration through November 24.

October 3, 2026 SAT

The October 3, 2026 SAT is now a past test date.

Its regular registration deadline was September 18, and its late-registration deadline was September 22. Those deadlines have passed.

If you missed the October SAT, don’t assume you need to wait until spring.

The November 7 SAT is the next available SAT Weekend administration for students who still want to test in 2026.

November 7, 2026 SAT

The November 7, 2026 SAT is the next SAT Weekend date after September 30.

The current deadlines are:

• Registration deadline: October 23, 2026
• Late-registration deadline: October 27, 2026
• Score release: November 20, 2026

This date may work well for students who need additional preparation time after an earlier SAT.

High school seniors should look closely at college deadlines before choosing November as a final test date. Some colleges may have separate testing or score-submission rules for Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Decision.

Our November SAT guide covers the date, deadlines, score timing, and college application considerations in more detail.

December 5, 2026 SAT

The December 5, 2026 SAT is the final scheduled SAT Weekend administration of 2026.

Its current deadlines are:

• Registration deadline: November 20, 2026
• Late-registration deadline: November 24, 2026
• Scheduled score release: December 18, 2026

December can give students additional preparation time, but seniors should not assume that a December score will work for every college.

Check the school’s current testing policy before making December your final test date.

SAT Dates 2027

If you don’t take the SAT during fall 2026, College Board currently lists three SAT Weekend administrations for spring 2027:

March 6, 2027

• Registration deadline: February 19, 2027
• Late-registration deadline: February 23, 2027

May 1, 2027

• Registration deadline: April 16, 2027
• Late-registration deadline: April 20, 2027

June 5, 2027

• Registration deadline: May 21, 2027
• Late-registration deadline: May 25, 2027

These dates are part of College Board’s current 2026–27 SAT Weekend schedule.

For many juniors, spring 2027 provides additional opportunities to test after more classroom learning and preparation.

How Do SAT Registration Deadlines Work?

The registration deadline is the normal cutoff for signing up for an SAT administration.

After that, College Board provides a later deadline for changes, regular cancellation, and late registration. Additional fees can apply during this later period.

For example, the November 7, 2026 SAT has an October 23 regular registration deadline and an October 27 late-registration deadline.

If you already know which SAT date you want, registering before the regular deadline is usually the simpler option.

Our SAT Registration 2026 guide explains the registration process.

What Happens If You Miss the SAT Registration Deadline?

Missing the regular deadline doesn’t automatically mean you’ve missed the SAT.

First, check whether the late-registration deadline is still open.

For the November 7, 2026 SAT, students who miss the October 23 regular deadline may still have the October 27 late-registration deadline available, subject to the current registration rules and availability.

Late registration is available worldwide, and additional fees apply.

If the late-registration deadline has passed, look at the next available SAT date rather than assuming you can still register for the earlier administration.

Our SAT Late Registration guide explains the options in more detail.

How to Choose the Right SAT Date

There isn’t one SAT date that works for every student.

Your decision should come down to three main things: preparation, college deadlines, and availability.

Consider How Much Time You Need to Prepare

If you haven’t started studying, taking the very next SAT may not be the best choice.

Give yourself enough time to learn the format, identify weak areas, practice questions, and improve your timing.

If you’ve already been preparing consistently, an earlier date may make sense.

Your test date should match your actual readiness—not just the calendar.

Check Your College Deadlines

This is especially important for seniors.

College deadlines can include:

• Early Action
• Early Decision
• Regular Decision
• Rolling admission
• Scholarship deadlines

The test date and score-release date both matter.

A college may also have its own deadline for SAT scores, so check the school’s current admissions and testing information.

Think About Your School Schedule

Don’t forget your regular school workload.

Major projects, exams, sports, work, and other responsibilities can make some SAT dates more difficult than others.

Choose a date that gives you enough preparation time without creating unnecessary pressure.

How Can You Prepare for an Upcoming SAT?

Once you’ve chosen a test date, build your preparation around the time you actually have.

Start with a realistic full-length practice test.

Use the results to identify your strongest and weakest areas.

Then focus your study time where you’ll get the most value.

Consistent preparation is usually more useful than trying to cram everything into the final few days.

Our SAT Practice Test guide can help you build realistic practice into your schedule.

For digital SAT preparation, make sure you’re also comfortable working on a screen and using the tools available during the exam.

What Should You Do Before Registering for the SAT?

Before choosing a test date, check:

• Your preferred test date
• Registration deadline
• Late-registration deadline
• Test-center availability
• College application deadlines
• Expected preparation time
• Your previous SAT score, if applicable

Also check your device requirements if you’ll be taking the digital SAT on your own or a school-managed device.

Taking a few minutes to check these details can prevent problems later.

What About SAT Test Centers?

Choosing an SAT date is only part of the decision.

You’ll also need an available test center.

College Board provides a test-center search tool, but your preferred location may not always have an open seat.

Registering earlier can give you more flexibility.

Beginning with fall 2026 testing, eligible students testing in the United States can also join the new SAT waitlist when preferred test dates or centers are full. If a seat becomes available in the selected area, College Board may place the student into that opening. A waitlist does not guarantee a seat.

If a preferred center is full, check nearby locations before making a final decision about your test date.

When Are SAT Scores Released?

College Board says most SAT Weekend scores are released about 2–4 weeks after the test, although the exact date varies by administration.

For the remaining 2026 SAT Weekend dates, the current schedule lists:

SAT Test Date	Scheduled Score Release
November 7, 2026	November 20, 2026
December 5, 2026	December 18, 2026

Students can check their score through their College Board account after the score is released.

Our SAT Score Release Dates 2026 guide covers the broader score-release schedule.

September 2026 SAT Score Release

The September 12, 2026 SAT score-release date was September 25, 2026.

That date has now passed.

If you took the September SAT, sign in to your College Board account to check your score.

If you’re deciding whether to take another test after September, the next available SAT Weekend administration is November 7.

SAT Weekend vs. SAT School Day

The dates in the main table are for SAT Weekend.

SAT School Day works differently because schools and districts handle the registration process.

For fall 2026, College Board lists the SAT School Day testing window as October 1–30, 2026. The spring 2027 SAT School Day window is March 1–April 30, 2027.

If your school offers SAT School Day, ask your counselor for the specific testing date and registration instructions.

You generally won’t register for SAT School Day in the same way you register for an SAT Weekend administration.

Can You Take the SAT More Than Once?

Yes.

Students can take the SAT more than once, but there is no required number of attempts.

Before registering again, look at your previous score and ask what you could realistically improve.

If you missed questions because of a specific Math topic, Reading and Writing skill, or timing problem, use that information to guide your next study plan.

A retake is most useful when you have a clear reason for taking it again.

A Simple SAT Preparation Timeline

Your preparation timeline depends on your starting point, but a basic framework can help.

2–4 Months Before the Test

Take a full-length practice test.

Identify your weak areas and start consistent preparation.

1–2 Months Before the Test

Increase targeted practice.

Take additional full-length tests and review your mistakes.

Before the Registration Deadline

Choose your test date and register.

Don’t wait unnecessarily if you already know which date works for you.

The Final Week

Complete your final review and make sure your digital testing setup is ready.

For the Digital SAT, use Bluebook according to College Board’s current instructions.

After the SAT

Check your score when it is released and decide whether another attempt makes sense.

Remaining SAT Dates: Quick Summary

As of September 30, 2026, the remaining SAT Weekend dates in the current 2026–27 schedule are:

2026

• November 7
• December 5

2027

• March 6
• May 1
• June 5

The August, September, and October 2026 administrations have already passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the upcoming SAT dates for 2026?

As of September 30, 2026, the remaining 2026 SAT Weekend dates are November 7 and December 5.

What are the SAT dates for 2027?

The currently published SAT Weekend dates for 2027 are March 6, May 1, and June 5.

What is the next SAT date?

The next SAT Weekend date is November 7, 2026. The regular registration deadline is October 23, with late registration through October 27.

When should I register for the SAT?

Register before the regular deadline whenever possible. Earlier registration can also give you more flexibility with test-center choices.

What happens if I miss the SAT registration deadline?

Check whether late registration is still available for your chosen test date. If the late deadline has passed, look at the next available SAT administration.

When do SAT scores come out?

Most SAT Weekend scores are released about 2–4 weeks after test day. The November 7, 2026 SAT is scheduled for score release on November 20, while the December 5 SAT is scheduled for December 18.

Which SAT date should I take for college applications?

Choose a date that gives you enough preparation time while ensuring your score will be available when your colleges need it. Individual schools can have different testing policies and deadlines.

Can I take the SAT more than once?

Yes. You can take the SAT multiple times. Whether another attempt makes sense depends on your previous result, preparation time, and college plans.

Is there a waitlist for the SAT?

Yes. Beginning with fall 2026 testing, eligible students testing in the United States can join a waitlist when preferred dates or centers are full. A seat is not guaranteed.

Is the SAT waitlist available internationally?

The new waitlist option is currently described by College Board as U.S. only.

Can I register late for the SAT?

Yes, when the late-registration deadline for that test date is still open. Additional fees apply.

Is December too late for the SAT?

It depends on the college. Some students may be able to use December scores, while others may face earlier testing deadlines. Check each college’s current policy.

What is the difference between SAT Weekend and SAT School Day?

SAT Weekend uses College Board’s public testing schedule and individual registration, while SAT School Day is coordinated by schools or districts.

Final Thoughts

Planning around the upcoming SAT dates is much easier when you look at the entire timeline instead of focusing only on the test day.

As of September 30, 2026, the next SAT Weekend date is November 7, followed by December 5. Spring 2027 SAT Weekend dates are March 6, May 1, and June 5.

Before choosing a date, consider how much preparation you need, when your colleges need your scores, whether your preferred test center has availability, and whether you might want another attempt.

For U.S. students, the new waitlist provides another option when a preferred test date or center is full, but it shouldn’t replace registering on time.

Choose the SAT date that fits your preparation and college timeline—not simply the next date on the calendar.