Taking the SAT is a rite of passage for students looking to enroll in college. There is a lot of information to understand around this crucial test. One of the most important things to know has to do with the signup process. How and when are you supposed to register for the digital SAT? When are the exams held, and where? How many times can you take the SAT? We’ll discuss all these points and more in this article.
| Date of Test | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Scores Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 23, 2025 | August 8, 2025 | August 12, 2025 | September 5, 2025 |
| September 13, 2025 | August 29, 2025 | September 2, 2025 | September 26, 2025 |
| October 4, 2025 | September 19, 2025 | September 23, 2025 | October 17, 2025 |
| November 8, 2025 | October 24, 2025 | October 28, 2025 | November 21, 2025 |
| December 6, 2025 | November 21, 2025 | November 25, 2025 | December 19, 2025 |
| March 14, 2026 | February 27, 2026 | March 3, 2026 | TBD |
| May 2, 2026 | April 17, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | TBD |
| June 6, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 | TBD |
2025 SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
Planning when to take your SAT tests doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated, but it does involve a lot of information. Take a deep breath and remember, this is just about choosing a date to take the test. There’s hardly any pressure at this stage!
Review the above chart to view all the remaining fall test dates for 2025, as well as the available spring 2026 SAT test dates. Note the registration and late registration deadlines, and when you can expect to receive your scores (important for students actively applying to colleges).
How Often Is the SAT Held, and When Should I Take It?
The digital SAT is held seven to eight times annually: in March, May, June, August, September, October, November, and December. They are always on a Saturday and are held at a local testing center (which may or may not be your own high school). These are called the SAT Weekend.
Most examinees take at least one SAT assessment as a junior. Typically, they’ll take the first test in the spring, and if they want to try again for a better score, they’ll take another later in the spring or in the fall (usually August), at the beginning of senior year. It’s recommended to take the test 1-3 times.
of students score better on their 2nd try.
It's not recommended to take more than 3 attempts, since you're unlikely to score better on your 4th+ try.
Technically, you can take the SAT as soon as you’re a freshman in high school, but this is really not necessary. Many examinees also take their SATs in the spring as a senior; however, you'll need to be aware of college application deadlines.
A student can technically take the digital SAT an unlimited number of times, even after graduating from high school. However, it’s recommended to only take the SAT 1-3 times.
If you’re planning on taking a gap year after high school, taking the SAT as a senior is a good idea since you’ll still be in the student-test-taking mindset. SAT scores do not expire (though they do get archived after one year post-high school graduation, if you do not take any more tests), but keep in mind some colleges will not accept scores older than 5 years, and very old scores (10+ years) may be purged and become unobtainable.
SAT School Days 2025-2026
One other option for taking the SAT is SAT School Days, when your high school hosts a proctored SAT assessment.
Not all schools offer this option, so ask your principal or other school office member if it’s available and how to sign up.
SAT School Days can be conducted on these dates for fall 2025 and spring 2026:
- October 1 - 31, 2025
- March 2 - April 30, 2026
How to Choose an SAT Test Date
When to take the digital SAT exam is entirely up to you. But, there are some factors you can consider when selecting a date:
- Do you have any other previously-scheduled important dates to avoid?
- Birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, sports tournaments, extracurricular activities events, college tour dates, scholarship events, etc.
- Have you already begun studying for the SAT and taking practice tests? It’s recommended to study for about 3 months before taking the SAT, so choose a date farther out if you haven’t studied yet.
- Do you need to apply for an accommodation? Applications must be submitted about 9 weeks before the test date.
- Do you need to apply to borrow a device from the College Board? Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the test date.
We can’t always select the best date for things like the SAT, and unforeseeable circumstances could come up, which can make us feel less prepared. But if you study, practice, and keep a cool head, you’ll likely be able to focus for the 4 hours it takes to complete the exam.
Example of a timeline for a student taking the SAT:
Fall 2025
Student begins their junior year.
Even if you're not sure which college, if any, you want to apply to yet, it's a good idea to take the SAT just in case. You can always take a different test, such as the ACT, later on if needed. The student decides to register for the 12/6/25 date.
September
Student begins studying for the SAT
November 21, 2025
By this date, the student has registered for the 12/6/25 test date.
December 6, 2025
Student takes the SAT.
December 19, 2025
Student receives their scores, and scores are sent to their colleges of choice (if any).
Now, the student can decide if they want to take the test again in the spring.
SAT Registration Process and Fees
The digital SAT is a highly regulated event requiring photo ID and approved devices. Students who have not registered will not be permitted to enter the building on test day.
Be aware that SAT testing centers can run out of available seats, so signing up as early as possible and having backup locations is advised!
Yes, it’s possible to sign up for the SAT, provided that the late sign-up deadline hasn’t yet passed. Doing so incurs an extra $38 charge (unless you’re eligible for a fee waiver). All SAT cut-offs refer to 11:59 PM on the day (rather than the end of the business day).
How to Register for the SAT
The best way to register is online through the College Board (CB) website. You’ll need to make an account, view the available locations and dates for the SAT, make a selection, and complete registration.
You’ll need:
- A photo (for identification purposes) to upload to the CB registration page
- Your test fee waiver 12-digit code, if applicable
- A debit or credit card for payment (if you do not have a waiver)
- To select which device you plan to use for test day
- To download the Bluebook exam app on your personal device
- To answer all the required questions on the registration form
You only have 20 minutes to complete the entire procedure for selecting an examination date, since multiple people are vying for a seat at the test location. So be sure to have all the files you need to upload readily available before you begin.
Make sure you print all the documents you'll need on test day and get familiar with the SAT timings, too.
days before the test date
Registration Fees, Late Registration Fees, Other Fees, and Fee Waivers
The fall 2025 SAT registration fee is $68.
Late registration incurs an additional $38 fee. You will not be able to register at all after this deadline passes.
Here are some other common fees:
- Change test center after registration (you cannot change the date): $35
- Cancel fee (if you cancel before the change deadline, which is the same as the late registration deadline): $34
- Late cancel fee (if you cancel after the change deadline but before the Thursday before the SAT by 11:59 PM): $44
You cannot cancel after the Thursday before the examination. In that instance, you can simply skip appearing at the exam.
If you want to change the date of your exam (rather than just the location), you’ll need to cancel your registration and re-register with the new date.
Any time you cancel your registration, you can apply for a full refund (minus the fee).
Students in 11th and 12th grade may be eligible for a waiver if they qualify as low-income. If examinees are eligible for the waiver, they do not need to pay any of the above fees. You can find out more about waivers on the CB website.
What If I Don’t Have a Suitable Device for the SAT?
When you register for the SAT, you need to declare which device you’ll be using for the test. Typically, students will choose to use either their own approved device or one provided to them by their high school.
Valid devices are:
Personal or school-managed Windows laptop or tablet
Personal or school-managed Mac laptop or iPad
School-managed Chromebook (personal Chromebooks aren't permitted)
Any device used should be able to run the Bluebook testing application; otherwise, it is not suitable.
You may borrow a device from a friend or family member.
If you can’t access an approved device, you can apply to borrow a device for your digital SAT exam. When registering for your test date, select the “I don't know if I have access to the necessary device” option, or contact the CB after signing up.
Then, you will be able to select “Request a device” from your registration profile.
You must complete your request at least 30 days before the test date, and not every applicant may be approved to borrow a device.
SAT Test Centers and Accommodations
To find an SAT test location near you, you will need to search on the SAT Test Center Search page of the CB website.
There should be at least one location convenient to your home or school. Note that not every location offers the SAT on every date, so choose the specific date you plan to take the test while searching.
Remember that some schools offer SAT School Day, so talk to your principal about that possibility (the information is not available on the CB site).
Also, be sure to check your email and the test center’s website for possible closures or changes in the days leading up to your test.
Accommodations
Students with documented disabilities may be able to procure accommodations like extended test time, extra and extended breaks, and reading and seeing assistance.
You must have your school counselor or Services to Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinator submit your request(s) about 9 weeks in advance.
EpiPens are allowed without the need for approval.
Now that you know everything about choosing a date and signing up for the SAT, you’re ready to start test prep! The SAT is a test that examines your knowledge of core school subjects and your ability to understand and reason in the face of difficult questions. Learning how to read and parse SAT questions can be confusing and frustrating for any student, even if you typically do well on your class tests.
With Superprof, you can find a knowledgeable tutor to help you fill any gaps in your academic knowledge as well as study the SAT testing method itself.
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