SAT and ACT Test Dates 2026-2027
Every official national test date for the Digital SAT and the Enhanced ACT, with registration deadlines, so you can plan your testing calendar in one place.
SAT national test dates, 2026-2027
All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET. Late registration carries an added fee.
| Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Weeks Until Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | August 7, 2026 | August 11, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | August 28, 2026 | September 1, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | September 18, 2026 | September 22, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | October 23, 2026 | October 27, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, December 5, 2026 | November 20, 2026 | November 24, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, March 6, 2027 | February 19, 2027 | February 23, 2027 | — |
| Saturday, May 1, 2027 | April 16, 2027 | April 20, 2027 | — |
| Saturday, June 5, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | — |
Source: College Board, satsuite.collegeboard.org. All 8 dates were formally announced as of this page's last verification — none are anticipated.
ACT national test dates, 2026-2027
All deadlines occur at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Late registration carries an added fee.
| Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Weeks Until Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | September 1, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | September 29, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, December 12, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | November 29, 2026 | — |
| Saturday, February 27, 2027 | January 22, 2027 | February 9, 2027 | — |
| Saturday, April 10, 2027 | March 5, 2027 | March 23, 2027 | — |
| Saturday, June 12, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | — |
| Saturday, July 10, 2027 | June 4, 2027 | June 22, 2027 | — |
Source: ACT, act.org. All 7 dates were formally announced as of this page's last verification — none are anticipated. Note: no New York test center is scheduled for the July 2027 date; ACT has said New York centers will be added for July dates starting in 2027.
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How SAT and ACT registration deadlines work
Both testing organizations set a "regular" registration deadline several weeks before the test date, followed by a shorter "late" registration window for an added fee. For the SAT, the regular deadline is roughly three weeks before test day; for the ACT, it's roughly five weeks before. Missing the late deadline generally means waiting for the next national test date.
Registering by the regular deadline also matters for test center availability — seats at popular locations can fill up before the deadline closes, especially in the fall testing season when juniors and seniors are both testing.
Picking the right test date for your timeline
Work backward from when colleges need your scores. If you're applying under an early decision or early action plan, aim to have your highest scores in hand by October of senior year, which usually means your last attempt should be in the summer or very early fall. For regular decision applicants, a December or even a January/February date can still work depending on the school's deadline.
- Leave room for at least one retake if your first score doesn't reflect your practice level.
- Check whether your target colleges superscore before deciding how many times to test — see the Superscore Calculator above.
- Confirm your school's test-optional or test-required policy; it can change how much testing you need to plan for.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next SAT test date?
The Digital SAT is offered on eight national dates across the 2026-2027 school year, running from August 2026 through June 2027. See the table above for exact dates and registration deadlines, or check College Board's site directly since dates can be adjusted.
When is the next ACT test date?
The Enhanced ACT is offered on seven national dates across the 2026-2027 school year, running from September 2026 through July 2027. See the table above for exact dates and registration deadlines, or check ACT's site directly since dates can be adjusted.
What happens if I miss the regular registration deadline?
Both College Board and ACT offer a late registration window after the regular deadline, usually for an added fee. Missing the late deadline too generally means waiting for the next national test date, though standby testing may be available in limited cases.
How far in advance should I register for the SAT or ACT?
Register by the regular deadline whenever possible — that's roughly three weeks before the SAT and about five weeks before the ACT. Registering early also protects your first-choice test center, since seats in high-demand areas can fill before the deadline.