Short answer: The SAT is offered eight times across the 2026-2027 school year, from August 2026 through June 2027. The standard registration fee is $68, with a $38 late fee if you miss the standard deadline. Most students should register five to six weeks before their chosen date and build in 10-12 weeks of prep time beforehand.
Key takeaways
- The SAT is offered eight times during the 2026-2027 cycle, roughly once a month in the fall and a few times in spring.
- Standard registration fee is $68; late registration adds a $38 fee.
- Scores are typically released about two weeks after the test date.
- October is often a safer choice than September for students targeting November 1 early application deadlines, due to score-release timing.
SAT test dates: 2026-2027 schedule
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late 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, 2027 | February 23, 2027 |
| May 1, 2027 | April 16, 2027 | April 20, 2027 |
| June 5, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 |
SAT registration fees
- Standard registration: $68
- Late registration fee: an additional $38
- Test center or date change: $30
- Extra score report: $16 (four are included free at registration)
- Fee waivers are available at no cost for eligible students
How to choose the right date for your child's grade
Current juniors (Class of 2027) often do well targeting a fall date for a first attempt, leaving spring open for a retake if needed.
Current sophomores (Class of 2028) generally don't need to test yet; the PSAT is the better fit for now, with SAT testing starting in earnest junior year.
Students applying Early Decision or Early Action should prioritize the October date over September, since October's score release lands more comfortably ahead of a November 1 deadline, while September's results can cut it close.
Students planning a retake should leave at least six to ten weeks between attempts to make real, targeted improvement possible.
Building a prep timeline around the test date
A general rule of thumb is 10-12 weeks of consistent prep before a first attempt, and 6-10 weeks before a retake focused on specific weak areas. Working backward from the registration deadline, not just the test date, helps avoid the late fee and gives more runway for an unhurried, diagnostic-driven plan.
What happens after the test
Scores are typically released around two weeks after the test date, and colleges generally receive official score reports about ten days after the student does. Superscoring, where a school combines your best section scores across multiple sittings, is common, which is part of why most students benefit from at least one retake.
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