SAT test dates for 2026-27, and how to pick yours

These are the SAT weekend dates for the 2026-27 school year and their registration deadlines, from College Board's dates and deadlines page as of October 13, 2026. Dates can change, so double-check on College Board's site before you register.

College Board has also listed expected dates for fall 2027: August 28, September 18, October 9, November 6 and December 4, 2027. Those are marked as anticipated, so treat them as likely, not final.

How to pick a date

• Work backward from your deadlines. If a college or scholarship needs scores by a certain date, leave a few weeks for scores to come out and be sent.
• Plan to take it twice. Lots of students do better the second time, once test day isn't new anymore. Picking a first date with another one a couple of months later gives you a backup.
• Give yourself real prep time. Six to ten weeks of steady practice beats a last-minute cram. A short session every day adds up faster than one long one each weekend.
• Check your school calendar. Avoid dates that land right on finals, a big game or a trip.

Don't forget the school day SAT

Many schools give the SAT during a regular school day, often in the spring. If yours does, you don't register the same way, and the date comes from your school. Ask your counselor.

A simple plan once you've picked a date

Put the date somewhere you'll see it, then do a little every day: one short set of questions, a look at what you missed, and a second try at those a few days later. That's the whole idea behind Lock In's daily run and Mistake Bank, and you can set your test date in the app to get a countdown.