If your student plans to test this semester, one deadline matters right now: registration for the September 12 SAT closes August 28. Here are all the SAT test dates fall 2026 has on the calendar, the ACT schedule, and how to pick a date that gives your student a real prep runway.
Fall 2026 SAT test dates and deadlines
| SAT test date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2026 | August 28, 2026 |
| October 3, 2026 | September 18, 2026 |
| November 7, 2026 | October 23, 2026 |
| December 5, 2026 | November 20, 2026 |
Register at College Board. The August 22 sitting’s deadline has already passed. Popular San Diego–area test centers do fill up, so registering early matters even when the deadline is weeks away.
Fall 2026 ACT test dates
The ACT’s 2026–27 season opens on September 19, 2026, with October and December sittings to follow. Regular registration closes roughly five weeks before each test — mid-August for the September date — with a late window (and late fee) after that. Exact dates and deadlines are at act.org.
Still deciding between the two tests? Our SAT vs. ACT breakdown covers how the digital SAT and the ACT differ and which suits which student.
Which date should your student pick?
- Seniors applying this fall: October is the last comfortable SAT for most early-decision deadlines; November works for many regular-decision deadlines, but check each college’s policy. Don’t bank on December.
- Juniors: there’s no rush. December — or better, spring — after a full prep cycle beats a rushed October sitting. The PSAT in mid-October will generate a detailed score report that should shape the plan.
- Everyone: schedule the test after the prep, not before. Six to ten weeks of consistent practice is a realistic runway; two weeks is not.
Sophomores and juniors: the PSAT window runs October 1–30 this year. Our parent’s guide to the PSAT explains how it works and what the scores are actually for.
A realistic 6-week prep plan
- Week 1: full-length official practice test to establish a baseline and target sections.
- Weeks 2–5: two focused sessions per week on the weakest areas, plus one timed section on the weekend.
- Week 6: one more full practice test, then review errors — not new content — in the final days.
That’s the structure our SAT & ACT prep sessions follow, one-on-one with instructors who know the digital SAT’s adaptive format.
Get Test-Day Ready
Fall dates arrive faster than they look — the right time to start a 6–10 week prep cycle for the October or November tests is now. Call or text 619-938-5383, or book a free assessment and we’ll build a plan around your student — no commitment required.