Quick answer
College Board lists eight SAT Weekend dates for the 2026–27 testing year: August 22, September 12, October 3, November 7 and December 5, 2026, followed by March 6, May 1 and June 5, 2027. Registration is open for all fall 2026 dates. The August SAT regular deadline is August 7, with late registration through August 11.
All 2026–27 SAT test dates and registration deadlines
The official schedule applies to U.S. and international students taking the SAT on a weekend. College Board states that every deadline expires at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. Late registration is available worldwide, but an additional fee applies.
Treat the regular deadline as your planning date. Waiting for late registration gives you fewer days to solve account, payment or test-centre problems, and a nearby seat is not guaranteed.
- August 22, 2026 — register by August 7; late deadline August 11
- September 12, 2026 — register by August 28; late deadline September 1
- October 3, 2026 — register by September 18; late deadline September 22
- November 7, 2026 — register by October 23; late deadline October 27
- December 5, 2026 — register by November 20; late deadline November 24
- March 6, 2027 — register by February 19; late deadline February 23
- May 1, 2027 — register by April 16; late deadline April 20
- June 5, 2027 — register by May 21; late deadline May 25
What is open now for fall 2026
College Board opened registration for every fall 2026 SAT Weekend date on May 22, 2026. Spring registration is expected to open in October. If you are aiming for August, the immediate dates are August 7 for regular registration and August 11 for late registration.
Seat Reserve lets participating schools hold some places for their own students. The new Waitlist is a U.S.-specific feature: it lets a U.S. student preregister when nearby centres are full and move into an available seat automatically. International students should use the test-centre options shown in their own College Board registration flow and check back if availability changes.
- Sign in with your own College Board student account
- Check more than one test centre and date before choosing
- Use the name and personal details shown on your identification
- Review international fees and local testing policies if you are outside the U.S.
- Request a College Board device at least 30 days before test day if you need to borrow one
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Choose a date from your application deadline, not the calendar alone
Start with the earliest college, scholarship or score-submission deadline on your list. Then work backwards through the official score-release date and any processing time required by the receiving college. A test date that falls before an application deadline can still be too late if the score is released or received afterwards.
For fall 2026 weekend tests, College Board lists student score releases on September 4, September 25, October 16, November 20 and December 18. Check how each college accepts scores and whether it uses superscoring before deciding which attempt should be your last.
- August 22 test — scores scheduled for September 4
- September 12 test — scores scheduled for September 25
- October 3 test — scores scheduled for October 16
- November 7 test — scores scheduled for November 20
- December 5 test — scores scheduled for December 18
Use spring for a first attempt and fall for a planned retake
College Board generally recommends taking the SAT for the first time in the spring of junior year and considering a fall retake before college application deadlines. That sequence creates time to read the first score report, target weak domains and complete another preparation cycle.
It is a planning pattern, not a rule. A student with a strong Bluebook baseline and an earlier application deadline may choose August or September. Another student may need March or May to finish the relevant school coursework first. The useful date is the one that leaves enough time to change performance before the test.
Build an eight-week SAT prep timeline backwards
Eight weeks is enough for a focused cycle when you already have the underlying school knowledge, but the calendar should begin with evidence. Take one official Bluebook test, review every missed and uncertain question, and separate Reading and Writing from Math before assigning study time.
Use the middle weeks for short, targeted sets in the Student Question Bank and timed module practice. Reserve another full Bluebook test for a checkpoint after the main review work, then use the final week to confirm the device, complete exam setup and rehearse the test-day routine.
- Week 8: complete a scored Bluebook diagnostic
- Weeks 7–6: repair the largest concept and question-type gaps
- Weeks 5–4: add timed modules and review pacing decisions
- Weeks 3–2: take and analyse another full official practice test
- Final week: complete Bluebook exam setup and use light, targeted review
Frequently asked questions
When is the next SAT in 2026?
The next SAT Weekend date is August 22, 2026. The regular registration deadline is August 7 and the late registration deadline is August 11.
Is registration open for fall 2026 SAT dates?
Yes. College Board says registration is open for all fall 2026 SAT Weekend dates.
Are the SAT dates the same for U.S. and international students?
College Board states that the listed 2026–27 weekend dates and deadlines apply to both U.S. and international students. Fees, test-centre availability and some registration policies can still differ by location.
What time do SAT registration deadlines close?
College Board says the deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.
How early should I register for the SAT?
Register once you have chosen a realistic date and test centre. Do not rely on late registration, especially when local seats are limited or you need to borrow a device.