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SAT & ACT Test Dates 2026–2027: Full Schedule, Deadlines & Score Release Dates

2026–2027 Testing Calendar

SAT & ACT Test Dates 2026–2027

Updated July 13, 2026Verified against College Board & ACT calendars15 national test dates

Every SAT and ACT date for the 2026–2027 school year — 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.

Test date Registration deadline Late registration Scores released
Aug 22, 2026Saturday Aug 7, 2026 Aug 11, 2026 Sept 4, 2026
Sept 12, 2026Saturday Aug 28, 2026 Sept 1, 2026 Sept 25, 2026
Oct 3, 2026Saturday Sept 18, 2026 Sept 22, 2026 Oct 16, 2026
Nov 7, 2026Saturday Oct 23, 2026 Oct 27, 2026 Nov 20, 2026
Dec 5, 2026Saturday Nov 20, 2026 Nov 24, 2026 Dec 18, 2026
Mar 6, 2027Saturday Feb 19, 2027 Feb 23, 2027 Not yet published
May 1, 2027Saturday Apr 16, 2027 Apr 20, 2027 Not yet published
Jun 5, 2027Saturday May 21, 2027 May 25, 2027 Not yet published
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Watch outSAT 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.

Test date Registration deadline Late deadline Photo / standby Scores released
Sept 19, 2026Saturday Aug 14, 2026 Sept 1, 2026 Sept 14, 2026 Oct 6, 2026
Oct 17, 2026Saturday Sept 11, 2026 Sept 29, 2026 Oct 12, 2026 Oct 27, 2026
Dec 12, 2026Saturday Nov 6, 2026 Nov 29, 2026 Dec 7, 2026 Dec 22, 2026
Feb 27, 2027Saturday Jan 22, 2027 Feb 9, 2027 Feb 22, 2027 Mar 16, 2027
Apr 10, 2027Saturday Mar 5, 2027 Mar 23, 2027 Apr 5, 2027 Apr 20, 2027
Jun 12, 2027Saturday May 7, 2027 May 25, 2027 Jun 7, 2027 Jun 22, 2027
Jul 10, 2027Saturday Jun 4, 2027 Jun 22, 2027 Jul 5, 2027 Jul 20, 2027
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New for New York familiesJuly 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 four-step planning timeline from sophomore spring through senior fall.

  1. Sophomore springTake a diagnostic SAT and ACT to pick the better-fit test. Not sure which? Read our SAT vs. ACT guide.
  2. Junior fallPSAT/NMSQT in October (National Merit qualifier). Begin prep 3–4 months before your first real sitting.
  3. Junior spring (Mar–Jun)First official SAT or ACT.
  4. 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?

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Sources: College Board SAT Dates & Deadlines, SAT Score Release Dates, ACT National Test Dates, PSAT/NMSQT Test Dates.