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Are you a high school junior or a senior heading to college soon? You’ll want to schedule your SAT date soon to secure your spot and start working towards a score that will help your college applications. The SAT is offered almost year round, except for July. Below, we’ve listed the SAT test dates for the 2026-27 academic year and beyond, plus provided some insight into what’s changing on the exam.
SAT Test Dates 2026-2027
The College Board will be offering the SAT on these dates. Be sure to register by the deadlines or you could pay extra (or miss out entirely). Deadlines expire by 11:59 pm Eastern time in the United States.
| SAT TEST DATE | Regular 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, 2026 | February 23, 2026 |
| May 1, 2027 | April 16, 2027 | April 20, 2027 |
| June 5, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 |
How To Register for the SAT
Once you know when you’d like to take the SAT, you can register on the SAT website by logging into your College Board account. You can also find additional information about SAT deadlines, registration information, and additional details on College Board’s website.
To register:
- Select your test date as soon as possible and sign up through your College Board account.
- Make sure your registration information matches your photo ID information.
- Upload a picture of yourself.
- Pay the fee or request a fee waiver. Currently, it’s $68. If you register late, it’s an additional $34.
- Print and save your admission ticket.
- Request any necessary test accommodations and equipment. Students who need to borrow a device should submit their request at least 30 days before their test date.
When Should You Take the SAT?
You should take your first SAT by the spring of your junior year of high school. Aim to take the exam at least twice, which could drastically improve your score. Most colleges require applications by January 1, so your last available test date as a senior is in early December. However, some schools and scholarship programs allow for later SAT results.
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When Should You Prepare for the SAT?
You should start preparing for the SAT as soon as possible. Taking practice exams, reviewing the results, and studying your weaker areas help you to improve your score. Check out what other students earned on the SAT at your potential colleges to learn what number you should aim for.
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What Changed on the SAT?
The SAT received a number of changes in 2024 that could affect how you approach the test.
Here are some changes on the SAT you should know:
- It has gone digital. The pencil and paper SAT is no longer available. All students have to take the exam digitally, unless you have certain test accommodations. Students can use their laptop, a borrowed device, or a school-issued laptop.
- It’s shorter. The SAT used to be three hours–now it’s two. Reading passages and questions are shorter.
- You can use a calculator on the entire math section. In the past, you could only use a calculator on part of the math section. Now, you can use it for the entire portion. You’re welcome to bring your own graphing calculator or use the one supplied with the digital exam.
- You’ll get your scores faster. Since testing materials and booklets no longer have to be shipped to the College Board, you’ll get your results faster.
What Do You Need To Take the SAT?
Since the SAT went digital in 2025, your list of required items is a bit different. The night before your test, you should gather:
- A fully charged device with the Bluebook™ application installed and exam setup completed
- A printed admission ticket
- Your photo ID
- Pencils or pens
- Accepted calculator (or use the Bluebook embedded calculator)
- Snacks for any breaks
You’ll also need to know your College Board login information.
Once you’ve registered for the SAT, make sure to mark it on your calendar! Now is the time to start preparing for your exam. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so we recommend starting as soon as possible. Practice tests are an excellent place to start.
To set goals for the SAT, check out what your potential colleges are looking for from their students. Did you know you can find out more about accepted students’ SAT scores? Discover what you should be aiming for by using College Match today.
