The next SAT and every upcoming date through 2027
The next US SAT is May 2, 2026. Regular registration has closed, but late registration remains open through April 21, 2026. After that, the next date is June 6, 2026 (regular deadline May 22), and then the fall 2026 schedule begins August 22. This article lists every upcoming SAT test date, the published registration deadlines, current fee structure, how fee waivers work, and how to pick the right date for your prep timeline.
Ready to prep? Take a free SAT quiz or read our SAT section guide for a section-by-section breakdown.
Remaining 2025-2026 SAT test dates
Two dates from the 2025-2026 cycle are still ahead. All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, US. Data verified against College Board's official SAT dates and deadlines page.
The SAT is administered on Saturdays. Sunday administrations exist for students who cannot test on Saturday for religious reasons; ask your testing coordinator about that option when you register. Late registration is available worldwide but adds a fee and a narrower set of test centers.
2026-2027 SAT dates (confirmed)
College Board has confirmed all eight dates for the 2026-2027 testing year. Registration deadlines for these dates have not yet been posted, but historically they open about four months before each test and close about three weeks before.
How SAT deadlines actually work
Most test dates have three deadlines to track:
- Regular registration deadline — typically 3 weeks before the test. Pay the standard fee; get the widest choice of test centers.
- Late registration deadline — typically 11-12 days before the test. Pay the standard fee plus a $38 late fee. Test centers available may be fewer.
- Deadline for changes — the same date as late registration. This is your last chance to change test center, switch dates, or cancel.
If you need to borrow a device from College Board (laptop or tablet), you must register at least 30 days before the test date — earlier than the standard deadline. Plan ahead.
SAT registration fees (2025-2026)
The base fee covers the exam, your score report, and sending scores to up to four colleges for free. Additional score reports to other colleges cost around $14 each after test day.
SAT fee waivers
Low-income students in 11th and 12th grade are eligible for up to two free SAT attempts through College Board's fee waiver program. A fee waiver covers:
- Base SAT registration fee (two times)
- Late registration fee (if needed)
- Test center change fee
- Unlimited free score reports to colleges
- Free score verification
Waivers are distributed by school counselors and other educators, not by College Board directly. Ask your counselor in the fall of junior year if you think you qualify. Eligibility is based on household income and other indicators of economic need.
Pick the right SAT date for your prep timeline
Do not just pick the next available date. Pick the one that lets you complete enough prep beforehand. A simple rule of thumb:
- Take a diagnostic practice test first. Use our practice SAT questions guide to find a free Bluebook test.
- Estimate how many points you want to gain. Most students gain 50-150 points from focused prep.
- Budget 8-12 weeks of prep per test attempt. Less than 6 weeks rarely produces significant gains.
- Plan for one retake. Most high scorers take the SAT twice. Schedule both attempts with at least 2 months between them.
- Align with your application timeline. Early Decision/Action deadlines are usually November 1. Your last SAT for those should be October. Regular Decision allows a December or even March attempt.
What if you miss the registration deadline?
You have a few options in order of preference:
- Use late registration (until 11-12 days before the test). Adds $38 but keeps you on that date.
- Register for the next available date. Missing a registration rarely ruins your timeline if you have the next date queued up.
- Check for standby registration. Some test centers occasionally accept walk-ins on test day if space remains after no-shows. Not guaranteed and discouraged.
- Take an ACT instead. Sometimes an ACT date sits conveniently between SAT dates and buys you extra time. See our SAT vs ACT guide.
Related resources
- Practice SAT questions: free resources by section
- What math is on the SAT?
- SAT formula sheet: complete reference
- PSAT test dates 2025-2026
- SAT section guide and free SAT quiz
- SAT score calculator
Frequently Asked Questions About SAT Test Dates
When is the next SAT test date?
The next US SAT is May 2, 2026. Regular registration closed April 17, but late registration remains open until April 21 with a $38 late fee. After that, the next date is June 6, 2026, with regular deadline May 22. The fall 2026 schedule begins August 22.
How much does the SAT cost in 2026?
The base SAT registration fee is $68 in the US. International test centers add $43 for a total of $111. Late registration adds $38, test center changes cost $29, and cancellation costs $34. Fee waivers are available for eligible low-income students in 11th and 12th grade.
How often is the SAT offered?
The SAT is offered 7 times per academic year in the US: August, September, October, November, December, March, May, and June. There is no test in January, February, April, or July. International students have access to the same dates where College Board operates test centers.
When do I need to register for the SAT?
Regular registration deadlines are typically about 3 weeks before the test date. Late registration is available for an additional $38 fee until about 11-12 days before the test. If you need to borrow a College Board device, register at least 30 days in advance. Register earlier for the widest choice of test centers.
Can I change my SAT test date?
Yes, but only before the deadline for changes (which is the same as the late registration deadline). Changing your test date costs $29. After the change deadline, you would need to cancel ($34) and register fresh for a new date. Plan for this when you first pick a date.
What SAT test date is best for juniors?
May, June, or the fall of your junior year for the first attempt if you are already in junior year. Otherwise March, May, or June 2027 for the first attempt. This gives you senior summer to retake if needed and gets results in hand before senior fall application deadlines.
When are SAT scores released after the test?
Digital SAT scores are typically released about 13 days after the test date. Your official score report is sent to the colleges on your list within 7-10 additional days. If you are testing close to an application deadline, check whether your target schools accept self-reported scores at the time of submission with official scores arriving later.
Is there an SAT test in April or July?
No. The SAT is not offered in January, February, April, or July. The gap between December and March is usually the longest dry spell of the year. Plan your prep schedule accordingly.
