| Take the 7 November SAT if you want scores in time for most regular deadlines and still keep 5 December as a retake. Choose 5 December if you need more preparation time and your deadlines fall on or after 1 January. Regular registration closes 23 October for November and 20 November for December. |
Two SAT dates are left in 2026: Saturday 7 November and Saturday 5 December. Neither is better in general. The right one depends on three things: when your applications are due, how much preparation time you have, and whether you already hold a score.
This guide goes through each of those in turn. The dates, fees and score release days below are taken from College Board.
The dates and deadlines at a glance
| Test date | Registration closes | Late registration and changes close | Scores released to students |
| Sat 7 Nov 2026 | Fri 23 Oct 2026 | Tue 27 Oct 2026 | Fri 20 Nov 2026 |
| Sat 5 Dec 2026 | Fri 20 Nov 2026 | Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Fri 18 Dec 2026 |
| Sat 6 Mar 2027 | Fri 19 Feb 2027 | Tue 23 Feb 2027 | Fri 19 Mar 2027 |
All SAT weekend deadlines end at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (US). Late registration is open worldwide for a fee. Scores from weekend tests are usually released two to four weeks after test day, and for these dates College Board lists about two weeks.
What the SAT costs
| Inside the US | Outside the US | |
| Registration fee | $68 | $68 plus a $43 international fee ($111) |
| Late registration | $38 extra | $38 extra |
| Test centre fee | None listed | $24 extra at some centres, including several in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan |
Your test centre can tell you whether it charges its own fee. Fee waivers exist for eligible students; College Board lists the rules on its fee waiver page.
Your registration deadline in your own time zone
Because the deadline is set in US Eastern Time, it lands on the next morning in most of the world.
| Where you are | 7 Nov test: registration closes | 5 Dec test: registration closes |
| US Eastern | Fri 23 Oct, 11:59 pm | Fri 20 Nov, 11:59 pm |
| United Kingdom | Sat 24 Oct, 4:59 am | Sat 21 Nov, 4:59 am |
| UAE | Sat 24 Oct, 7:59 am | Sat 21 Nov, 8:59 am |
| India | Sat 24 Oct, 9:29 am | Sat 21 Nov, 10:29 am |
| Singapore | Sat 24 Oct, 11:59 am | Sat 21 Nov, 12:59 pm |
Register a day early. Payment and seat checks can take longer than you expect.
Step 1: Match the test date to your application deadlines
Start with the earliest deadline that needs an SAT score, not with the test date. Write down the deadlines for every university on your list. Then use this table.
| If your deadline is… | Then… |
| 1 November or 15 November (early action or early decision) | Neither date gives scores in time. Scores from 7 November arrive on 20 November. A few universities accept November scores for early rounds, but many do not. Check each university’s page, or consider the regular round. |
| Early to mid-January (regular decision) | Both dates can work. Scores from 5 December arrive on 18 December, which leaves about two weeks before 1 January. Taking 7 November gives you 5 December as a retake. |
| February or later | You have more room. 6 March 2027 is also possible, with scores on 19 March. |
| The universities on your list do not ask for the SAT | There is no need to rush. Read our guide on whether the SAT still matters in 2026. |
These are common patterns, not rules. Every university sets its own dates, so confirm them on each admissions page.
Step 2: If you already have a score
Look up the middle range of SAT scores each university reports for admitted students. Most publish it on their admissions or Common Data Set pages. If your score sits inside or above the range for most of your list, a retake may not change much. If it sits below, and you have a clear plan for the weak areas, a retake can make sense.
Some universities consider your best section scores across test dates, often called superscoring, and some do not. Check this before you decide, because it changes how much a retake is worth. A retake also does not guarantee a higher score. Scores can go up, stay the same or go down.
Step 3: If you are starting from scratch
Counting from 13 October, 7 November is 25 days away and 5 December is 53 days away.
- About three and a half weeks (7 November). The realistic goal is to find out where you stand and fix the weakest areas, not to learn everything from zero. Sit one full-length practice test in the Bluebook app, which is free and official. Mark every mistake, then work on the topics where you lost the most marks.
- About seven and a half weeks (5 December). You can cover the basics first, then sit two or three more full practice tests with a proper review after each one.
Neither timeline promises a particular score. It depends on where you start and how steadily you practise.
One practical point: the SAT is taken on a device in the Bluebook app. Students who need to borrow a device from College Board must request it at least 30 days before test day. For 7 November that date was 8 October, so it has already passed. For 5 December it is 5 November.
Taking the SAT outside the United States
Outside the US the fee is $111 before any late or centre fees, so it is worth getting the date right the first time. Seats at some centres can fill up. If your centre is full, College Board offers a free waitlist that places you in an open seat if one appears within the distance you set. The SAT is held on Saturdays; Sunday testing is only for students who cannot test on Saturdays for religious reasons.
If you miss both dates
The next dates are 6 March, 1 May and 5 June 2027. Registration closes on 19 February, 16 April and 21 May, and scores are released on 19 March, 14 May and 21 June. Check that March scores will reach your universities in time for your deadlines before you plan around them.
A quick way to decide
- You need scores before 18 December: take 7 November.
- Your deadlines are on or after 1 January and you are still covering the syllabus: take 5 December.
- You already have a score and are unsure: compare it with each university’s range first. If you do retake, 7 November leaves 5 December as a backup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the registration deadline for the November 2026 SAT?
Registration for the 7 November 2026 SAT closes on 23 October 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Late registration, with a $38 fee, stays open until 27 October. Changes and regular cancellation close on the same late date.
When will November SAT scores be released?
College Board lists 20 November 2026 as the student score release date for the 7 November test. Scores for the 5 December test are released on 18 December 2026.
Is the November SAT too late for early action?
Often, yes. November scores arrive on 20 November, after many 1 November and 15 November early deadlines. A few universities accept them for early rounds, so check each university’s admissions page.
Should I retake the SAT in December?
It can make sense if your score is below the usual range for your universities and you have time to work on specific weak areas. Check whether each university considers your best section scores across test dates before you decide.
How much does the SAT cost outside the United States?
The registration fee is $68 plus a $43 international fee, so $111 in total. Late registration adds $38. Some test centres charge an extra $24 centre fee, so check with your centre.
Can I take the SAT on a Sunday?
Only if you cannot test on Saturdays for religious reasons. You need to request Sunday testing through College Board, and not every date is available.
