SAT Dates 2026: When is the Next SAT Exam?

Jan 5, 2026, 02:12 EDT

SAT Dates 2026 are available and released by the College Board. Check the 2026 SAT Dates, the upcoming SAT exam date, SAT registration dates and how to prepare for the next SAT. Planning your next SAT date can help you prepare easily for the upcoming exam.

SAT Dates 2026 are released by College Board. (Image: Canva AI)
SAT Dates 2026 are released by College Board. (Image: Canva AI)

SAT Dates 2026 are available and released by the College Board. SAT Exam dates 2026 refer to the official schedule of Scholastic Assessment Test administrations set by the College Board for high school students pursuing U.S. college admissions. These dates are important for the students looking for fall 2027 entry, giving students time to prepare amid competitive landscapes. According to College Board data, 1.9 million students took the SAT in 2024, highlighting its enduring role in evaluating readiness.

SAT Dates 2026

SAT Dates 2026 test dates are confirmed by College Board for U.S. and international students, with March, May, and June as key spring windows amidst rising college applications. These deadlines ensure ample prep time in the fully digital SAT era, now shortened to two hours. 

SAT Test Month

Test Date

March SAT

March 14, 2026

May SAT

May 2, 2026

June SAT

June 6, 2026

(Source: College Board)

When is the Next SAT Exam?

As of January 2026, the next immediate SAT is on March 14, 2026, which is just perfect for spring applications. Schools can register for the March SAT on or before February 27, 2026, and the last registration date for the SAT is March 03, 2026.

  • Next SAT Date: March 14, 2026

  • Regular SAT Registration: February 27, 2026

  • Late SAT Registration deadline: March 3, 2026

Read the Difference Between SAT vs ACT here.

SAT Registration Dates 2026

SAT Registration Deadlines for 2026 are accurately aligned with College Board test dates, providing a definite window of opportunity for U.S. as well as worldwide students to register for the online version of SAT. These are typically set to take place 2-4 weeks before a series of exams are conducted.

Test Date

Regular Registration

Late Registration

March 14, 2026

February 27, 2026

March 3, 2026

May 2, 2026

April 17, 2026

April 21, 2026 

June 6, 2026

May 22, 2026

May 26, 2026 

How to Prepare for the SAT Exam?

Start early, and give yourself a realistic timeline; you could comfortably study for 2-3 months consistently, 10-15 hours per week, with free official resources available via the College Board's Bluebook app. 

  • Monitor your progress through full practice tests until you achieve or exceed your target score, which would be in the range of 1200+ for a competitive college.

  • Download Bluebook, for free digital practice that closely simulates the actual test. Take one complete, timed test per week to build endurance and identify areas of weakness, such as algebra or grammatical rules.

  • Practice the two-hour format—no calculator on some Math, but Desmos is built-in for others; learn to skip and flag tough questions fast.

  • Review vocab in context-not flashcards; nail grammar through error ID drills; and do 20-30 Math problems a night-focus on word problems and data analysis.

  • Take practice tests on Saturdays at 8 AM in a quiet place with your laptop charged; review every mistake to understand why you missed it.

  • Sleep 8 hours, eat well, and take one rest day a week. Avoid cramming; consistent 80% practice accuracy predicts real-score success.

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Conclusion

SAT dates 2026 include specific windows, such as the test dates of March 14 and May 2, that give college-bound students a chance to demonstrate their skill. Late registration can make their applications late. Register early via the College Board for your best shot at target scores.

Alisha Louis
Alisha Louis

Content Writer

    Alisha Louis is a US Content Specialist with a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) graduate degree. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she specializes in covering trending news and educational developments across the United States. Her work combines journalistic precision with engaging narratives, making complex topics accessible and relevant for a diverse audience. Dedicated to delivering timely and trustworthy content, Alisha brings a fresh, insightful perspective to every piece she writes.

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    FAQs

    • How do SAT registration dates 2026 work?
      +
      SAT registration dates 2026 fall 3-5 weeks before tests, like April 17 for May 2, with late options.
    • When is the next SAT exam in 2026?
      +
      The next SAT exam after January 2026 is March 14, with registration closed—aim for May 2.
    • What are SAT dates 2026?
      +
      SAT dates 2026 include March 14, May 2, June 6, and fall sessions per College Board schedule.

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