Last updated: July 13, 2026. All dates verified against the official College Board and ACT calendars.
Every SAT and ACT date for the 2026–2027 school year is below — with registration deadlines, late deadlines, and score release dates in one place. Bookmark this page: we update it whenever College Board or ACT publishes new dates.
SAT Test Dates 2026–2027
The SAT is fully digital, takes about 2 hours 14 minutes, and is administered in Bluebook at test centers. All deadlines are 11:59 p.m. ET.
| SAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration / Changes | Scores Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 22, 2026 | Aug 7, 2026 | Aug 11, 2026 | Sept 4, 2026 |
| Sat, Sept 12, 2026 | Aug 28, 2026 | Sept 1, 2026 | Sept 25, 2026 |
| Sat, Oct 3, 2026 | Sept 18, 2026 | Sept 22, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 |
| Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 27, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 |
| Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 |
| Sat, Mar 6, 2027 | Feb 19, 2027 | Feb 23, 2027 | Not yet published |
| Sat, May 1, 2027 | Apr 16, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | Not yet published |
| Sat, Jun 5, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | Not yet published |
Watch out: SAT late registration closes just 4 days after the regular deadline. Students borrowing a device from College Board must register at least 30 days before test day. Spring 2027 score release dates typically land 2–4 weeks after each test.
ACT Test Dates 2026–2027
The redesigned ACT makes science an optional add-on; English, math, and reading are the core test. Deadlines are 11:59 p.m. CT. Note: there is no August or November national ACT — the cycle opens September 19.
| ACT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Deadline | Photo/Standby Deadline | Scores Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Sept 19, 2026 | Aug 14, 2026 | Sept 1, 2026 | Sept 14, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Sat, Oct 17, 2026 | Sept 11, 2026 | Sept 29, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | Oct 27, 2026 |
| Sat, Dec 12, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 |
| Sat, Feb 27, 2027 | Jan 22, 2027 | Feb 9, 2027 | Feb 22, 2027 | Mar 16, 2027 |
| Sat, Apr 10, 2027 | Mar 5, 2027 | Mar 23, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 |
| Sat, Jun 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | Jun 7, 2027 | Jun 22, 2027 |
| Sat, Jul 10, 2027 | Jun 4, 2027 | Jun 22, 2027 | Jul 5, 2027 | Jul 20, 2027 |
New for New York families: July ACT testing becomes available in NY starting 2027 — previously excluded.
PSAT/NMSQT 2026
Schools administer the PSAT/NMSQT on school days October 1–30, 2026 (with Saturday, October 17 available). Students don’t register through College Board — your school counselor sets the date. Score releases: answers submitted by Oct 9 → scores Oct 22; by Oct 23 → Nov 5; by Oct 30 → Nov 12. The PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship qualifier — see our PSAT/PreACT prep program.
When Should Your Student Test? A Planning Timeline
- Sophomore spring: Take a diagnostic SAT and ACT to pick the better-fit test. Not sure which? Read our SAT vs. ACT guide.
- Junior fall: PSAT/NMSQT in October (National Merit qualifier). Begin prep 3–4 months before your first real sitting.
- Junior spring (Mar–Jun): First official SAT or ACT.
- Senior fall (Aug–Oct): Retest before early application deadlines. The Aug 22 SAT and Sept 19 ACT are the last comfortable dates for Early Decision/Early Action — scores arrive in early September and early October respectively.
Plan to test at least two months before your earliest application or scholarship deadline. Registration closes roughly 4–5 weeks before each date — the single most common mistake families make is missing the regular deadline and paying late fees (or missing the date entirely: skip the Sept 19 ACT and the next chance is Oct 17, then December).
FAQs
How far in advance should I register?
As soon as registration opens. Preferred test centers in Fairfield County, Westchester, and NYC fill early, and the SAT late window is only 4 days.
How long do SAT scores take?
About 2 weeks (fall 2026 releases run ~13 days after test day). ACT initial scores post 2–3 weeks after the test.
Are the 2027–28 dates out yet?
College Board and ACT have posted anticipated 2027–28 dates, but they’re not final. We’ll update this page when they’re confirmed.
Ready to Prep?
ConnectPrep students average a 200+ point SAT increase with 1-on-1 tutoring — in person across CT, NY & NJ or live online nationwide. Explore SAT prep, ACT prep, or book a free consultation to build your testing calendar.
Sources: College Board SAT Dates & Deadlines, SAT Score Release Dates, ACT National Test Dates, PSAT/NMSQT Test Dates.