The College Board test dates page shows that the last SAT of fall 2026 is on December 5. Regular registration closes November 20, and the deadline for changes, cancellations, and late registration is November 24, both at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Student scores for this test are released December 18. After this date, the next SAT is March 6, 2027. Irvine families have 14 days until the regular registration deadline.
Who Is Affected by the December SAT Registration Deadline
12th grade students: For seniors who want one more attempt before Regular Decision, December 5 is the last fall opportunity. Scores arrive December 18, before Regular Decision deadlines in early to mid-January, but colleges set different score submission requirements, so students should confirm with each college.
11th grade students: Juniors who want two or three attempts before senior year can use December as the first. Spring 2027 offers March 6, May 1, and June 5, and College Board has also posted anticipated 2027-28 dates: August 28, September 18, October 9, November 6, and December 4.
What Students Should Do Now for the December SAT
Register by the regular deadline to avoid the late fee. The registration fee is $68. Registering after November 20 and by November 24 adds a $38 late fee. Changing the test center costs $34. Canceling by November 24 costs $34, and canceling after that, through the Thursday before test day, costs $44. Eligible students can apply for a fee waiver.
Choose score recipients when registering. The first 4 score reports are free if ordered within 9 days after the test date, and each additional report costs $15.
Confirm the testing device. Students who need to borrow a device from College Board must register and request it at least 30 days before test day. For the December 5 test, that window closed around November 5 (calculated by EDUBUS).
Check each target college’s testing policy first. The University of California’s testing policy is still under review; see UC Resumes SAT and ACT Review on November 6. The December ACT is another option the same month. For help fitting test dates to a college list, see the EDUBUS College Planning service and SAT course.
Sources
- College Board: SAT Suite Test Dates and Deadlines (accessed November 6, 2026)
- College Board: SAT Score Release Dates (accessed November 6, 2026)
- College Board: SAT Test Fees (accessed November 6, 2026)
- Union College ED and Medicine Due Nov. 15Union College's Early Decision I and eight-year Leadership in Medicine program both close November 15. This brief covers dates, requirements, and admission numbers.
- Franklin & Marshall ED I Due Nov. 15Franklin & Marshall College closes Early Decision I on November 15, and early aid estimate materials are due November 12. This brief lists dates and requirements.
- UC Continues SAT and ACT Review on Nov. 6UC's admissions board meets November 6 to continue weighing the SAT and ACT, with a report due February 12, 2027. This brief explains the timeline by grade.
- BigFuture Scholarships Close November 30College Board's BigFuture Scholarships for the Class of 2027 end November 30; applying to college and filing the FAFSA earn entries. This brief lists remaining steps.
