SAT Testing Updates
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Trying to make your SAT testing plan for the coming year? Here’s what you need to know about the SAT, including upcoming SAT test dates and registration deadlines for 2025–2026.
The SAT is one of two standardized college admission tests that colleges use to assess a student’s readiness for college-level work. The other test is the ACT, which you can read more about here.
Many highly selective colleges require students to submit SAT scores when they apply, while for other colleges, submitting scores is optional. However, even at test-optional colleges, strong test scores can be an asset to your application. Test scores may also be required to be eligible for certain scholarships, college honors programs, and competitive majors.
SAT Test Dates for 2025-2026
SAT test administrations are held at various test centers throughout the year. Spots are limited and advance registration is required, so it’s a good idea to review the test dates for the coming year as soon as you can and register as early as possible. The chart below, which is current as of June 2025, includes the dates and registration deadlines for 2025-2026.
SAT Facts You Should Know
The SAT is a computer-based test. Students may take the SAT on their own laptops, on a device provided by their school, or on a device provided by the College Board (the organization that publishes the SAT). Students who need to borrow a device from the College Board will need to register and request their device at least 30 days before test day.
Before taking the test, students must download the testing application from the College Board website. On the app, students can take SAT practice tests, complete exam setup, access their admission ticket, and take the actual SAT. The app is compatible with Windows laptops and tablets, Apple laptops and iPads, and school-managed Chromebooks. Personal Chromebooks are not permitted, but personal Windows and Apple laptops are allowed.
The SAT is “adaptive,” meaning that the questions test-takers see are based on their answers to earlier questions. If students do well on the opening sections of the test, they will be given harder questions as they proceed (yielding a higher score). Students who don’t do as well in the beginning will be shown easier questions, which will reduce their score. The adaptive nature of the test means that no two tests are the same, so students won’t be able to share answers.
The SAT is divided into two sections: A Reading and Writing section, and a Math section. An optional essay section was discontinued in 2021.
SAT FAQ
- How many questions are on the SAT?
The SAT has 98 questions total, comprising 54 questions for the Reading and Writing section and 44 questions for the Math section. - How long does the SAT take?
Students have 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete the SAT (64 minutes for the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes for the Math section), plus a 10-minute break. - What’s in the Bluebook testing app?
The Bluebook testing app has several features designed to enhance the testing experience, including a countdown clock showing how much time a student has left to complete the test, a built-in graphing calculator (students may instead use their own calculators if they wish), a reference sheet for each math question consisting of common formulas, and the ability to flag questions that a student wishes to skip and come back to later. - When do SAT scores come out?
Students can access their scores online and in a downloadable PDF a few days after taking the test at from the College Board website. - What’s a good SAT Score?
The SAT is scored on a 1600-point scale, so a perfect SAT score would be 1600. In addition to your SAT composite score, you’ll also receive a percentile ranking, which compares your score to the scores of other students who took the SAT in the same academic year. According to the test tutoring site Prep Scholar, in 2024 a score of 1030 on the SAT was considered to be “average” (or at the 50th percentile). A score at the 50th percentile means that 50% of the students who took the test scored at or below 1030 and 50% scored above 1030. A score of 1500 was at the 98th percentile, which means that a student at this percentile scored better than 98% of all the students who took the test that academic year.
A “good” SAT score may also depend on the colleges you’re applying to. Generally, a score that falls within or well above the average for admitted students is considered “good” for that college. On CollegeData you’ll find average SAT scores of admitted freshmen on the college profiles, which you can access using College Search. - Where can I find free test prep resources for the SAT?
The College Board and Khan Academy® provide free SAT prep resources, including full-length practice tests, customized study plans, and practice questions. Practice tests are also available within the Bluebook testing app. Many private test prep companies that charge fees for their services also offer some free practice tests, videos and other resources.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE SAT
It’s important to register for the SAT as soon as possible. The College Board recommends that high school juniors take the SAT for the first time during the spring of junior year so that they will have time to take the test again in the fall if they want to try to improve their scores. However, many students take the SAT for the first time at the beginning of their junior year.
Here are some tips for registering for the SAT.
- Register online. Students can register for the SAT on the College Board website. When you register online and set up an online account, you can make changes to your registration and view your scores as soon as they are available.
- Decide if you want to receive mail from colleges. If you enroll in the College Board's Student Search Service, you'll likely receive mail from colleges looking to recruit students, as well as from scholarship providers and test prep companies.
- Pay your fees or apply for a fee waiver. Fees for the 2025-2026 SAT are $68. Fees include the cost of sending your scores to up to four colleges (additional colleges are $15 each). For a complete list of fees, as well as more information about registration, fee waivers, and the test itself, visit the College Board website.
- Submit a photo. You must submit a photo of yourself with your SAT registration. You'll find photo submission guidelines on the College Board website. It’s important to review and follow the photo submission guidelines carefully. On test day, test center staff will compare your submitted photo to your photo ID. If your photo doesn’t meet the requirements, you will not be allowed to test.
HOW TO GET SAT FEE WAIVERS
Fee waivers are available to students who cannot afford to pay the SAT registration fee. Visit the College Board website for details about obtaining and using SAT fee waivers and how to qualify. Students who qualify for a fee waiver can use it for up to two SAT tests and receive additional benefits, such as no cancellation or late registration fees, waived application fees at participating colleges, and free use of the CSS Profile financial aid form. Students may also use their fee waivers to send test scores to additional colleges (i.e., beyond the four colleges included with the registration fee).
PLAN AHEAD
The SAT can be a critical part of your application and so it’s important to give yourself time to study and practice. We hope that having the SAT test dates, registration deadlines, and facts about the test all in one place will help you plan your practice and study time accordingly.
Good luck!
