Fall 2026 SAT Test Dates

Spring 2027 SAT Test Dates

How SAT scores are released

• Scores are posted directly to your College Board account (mysat.collegeboard.org)
• You will receive an email notification when scores are available
• Because the SAT is fully digital, testing materials no longer need to be shipped  scores typically arrive within 13–14 days of test day
• If you submitted score reports to colleges at registration, they are sent automatically once scores are released
• You can send additional score reports after release for $15 per report

Important for seniors applying ED/EA

November and December SAT scores arrive too late for most Early Decision I deadlines (typically November 1). If you need scores for an ED I application, the October SAT is your last safe date. Always check your specific school's score submission policy.

Need to Reschedule?

• To change your test center: log in, select your registration, and pay the $34 change fee
• To change your test date: you must cancel your current registration and re-register for the new date. Cancellation fees may apply depending on timing
• You can cancel scores until Thursday after the test through your College Board account

Who Qualifies?

• You are enrolled in or eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• You are in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs, Upward Bound)
• Your family receives public assistance
• You live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home
• You are a ward of the state or court
• Your family income falls at or below the 185% of the federal poverty level

How to Get a Fee Waiver

Fee waivers are distributed through your high school counselor — not directly through the College Board. Ask your guidance counselor before you register. Once you have a waiver code, enter it during the online registration process.

What the Fee Waiver Covers

• 4 additional free score reports (beyond the standard 4)
• Free application fee waivers at participating colleges
• Free access to College Board's SAT prep resources through Khan Academy

Adaptive Testing: What It Means

The Digital SAT uses multistage adaptive testing. Your performance on Module 1 of each section determines the difficulty level of Module 2. Students who perform well on Module 1 receive a harder Module 2 but also have the opportunity to earn higher scores. Students who struggle on Module 1 receive an easier Module 2 with a lower score ceiling.

This means every student's test experience is slightly different — do not panic if a friend's Module 2 felt harder than yours. That likely means you did well on Module 1.

What to Bring to the Digital SAT

• Your testing device - laptop or tablet with the Bluebook app installed and exam setup completed
• Admission ticket (printed or on your phone)
• Acceptable photo ID - school ID, driver's license, or passport (name must match registration exactly)
• Acceptable calculator - The Digital SAT has a built-in Desmos calculator, but you may also bring your own (4-function, scientific, or graphing calculators are permitted; CAS calculators are not)
• Pencils or pens for scratch work
• Snacks and water - permitted during breaks

Best SAT Dates for Freshmen (Class of 2029)

No SAT dates are recommended for most freshmen. The SAT covers material through end-of-junior-year coursework. Focus on building strong math and reading habits. Take a practice test to get familiar with the format.

Best SAT Dates for Sophomores (Class of 2028)

Optional: May 2026 or June 2026 for a low-stakes first attempt. This gives you an official score for benchmarking and valuable real-test experience before junior year. No prep pressure, treat it as a practice run with stakes.

Best SAT Dates for Juniors (Class of 2027)

Primary window: March 14, 2026 → May 2, 2026 → June 6, 2026. Most juniors should aim for:

• First attempt: March 14 (gives you time to see scores and adjust)
• Second attempt: May 2 or June 6 based on first attempt results
• Fallback: August 22, 2026 (first date of senior year) if additional improvement is needed

Best SAT Dates for Seniors (Class of 2026)

Remaining opportunities for the current senior class:

• March 14, 2026 - Last major junior-year retake window; scores arrive March 27
• May 2, 2026 - Viable for Regular Decision schools; scores arrive mid-May
• June 6, 2026 - Final opportunity; scores arrive mid-June (too late for most college applications, but useful for scholarship programs and waitlisted decisions)

How it works

• The SAT uses Score Choice by test date - you choose which test dates' scores to send, not individual section scores
• You can take the SAT multiple times and only send the date(s) with your best scores
• College Board does not automatically report all scores; you control what is sent

What about superscoring?

Many U.S. colleges practice superscoring - they take the highest Reading & Writing score from one test date and the highest Math score from another, combining them into the best possible composite. Approximately 80% of selective U.S. colleges superscore the SAT.

This means: if you got a 720 RW / 660 Math in March 2026 and a 680 RW / 730 Math in June 2026, a superscoring college would calculate your composite as 720 + 730 = 1450 - better than either individual attempt.

Take the SAT if

• You are stronger in reading comprehension and verbal reasoning
• You prefer more time per question
• You want a fully digital testing experience
• You struggle with rapid-fire pacing

Take the ACT if

• You are strong in science reasoning and data analysis
• You are a fast reader who can handle more passages
• You prefer a paper test (for now)
• You find the Science section a differentiator in your favor

States Where SAT School Day Is Offered Statewide (2025–2026)

The following states currently provide the SAT to all juniors during the school day, typically at no cost to students:

Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, and others through district contracts.

Differences: SAT School Day vs. Weekend SAT

• Both are the same test and produce the same scores
• SAT School Day is administered at your school, during school hours
• Weekend SAT is administered at an official test center on Saturdays (or Sundays)
• Both scores can be used for college admissions and scholarships
• National Merit Scholarship eligibility requires the PSAT/NMSQT, not the SAT