SAT Test Dates 2023-24: How to Choose the Right One

So, the time has finally come for you to schedule your SAT. This is an exciting time! You’re taking steps to develop your future and move forward on your chosen path of success.

But honestly, choosing the right SAT test date can feel pretty overwhelming. How do you know which date to pick? Are some dates better than others? Should you take the test as soon as possible just to get it done or put it off in a fit of procrastination? 

In this comprehensive guide, we will lay out the official SAT test dates for 2023-24 and provide expert advice to help you figure out which one may be the right choice for you.

SAT Test Dates for 2023-24

These are the SAT test dates for the years 2023 and 2024 as indicated by the official College Board website. Pay close attention to the deadlines for registration so you can avoid any possible late fees and ensure you secure your spot on the day that works best for you.

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Deadline for Regular Cancellation
Aug 26, 2023	Domestic: Jul 28, 2023International: Aug 11, 2023	Aug 15, 2023
Oct 7, 2023	Domestic: Sept 8, 2023International: Sept 22, 2023	Sept 26, 2023
Nov 4, 2023	Domestic: Oct 6, 2023International: Oct 20, 2023	Oct 24, 2023
Dec 2, 2023	Domestic: Nov 3, 2023International: Nov 17, 2023	Nov 21, 2023
Mar 9, 2024	Feb 23, 2024	Feb 27, 2024
May 4, 2024	Apr 19, 2024	Apr 23, 2024
June 1, 2024	May 17, 2024	May 21, 2024

Take note that the deadlines for regular cancellation may be subject to change for the March, May, and June test dates.

SAT test dates usually fall on 7 Saturdays throughout the year. However, if you need a religious exemption, you may be able to take your test on the Sunday following a Saturday test date.

How to Choose the Right SAT Test Date For You

Depending on your feelings about taking the SAT, your instinct may be to schedule it as soon or as far away as possible. But before you make your decision based purely on your gut reactions, be sure to think about these essential factors!

College and Scholarship Application Deadlines

You may have noticed that SAT test dates tend to cluster around summer and fall. This is the College Board’s way of trying to make it easier for students to reach their SAT goals before submitting their college and scholarship applications. Some students may need to take the test a few times to achieve their goal score. With a variety of test dates available, students can have plenty of time to space out their studying and test taking accordingly.

Remember that it’s very important to choose a test date that guarantees you will receive your test scores before your upcoming application deadlines. The College Board will most likely send your first 4 free score reports along to your target schools about 3 to 5 weeks after the exam. Those worried about meeting early action or early decision deadlines should pay special attention to this, as these deadlines often fall in early November.

If you happen to request more than 4 score reports, it may take even longer than the typical 3 to 5 weeks for them to reach your desired colleges, up to an additional 2 weeks. To avoid missing your deadlines, we suggest scheduling your SAT exam for a date at least 6 weeks before your applications are due.

Plan for Retakes

Many students don’t wind up with the target score they envisioned the first time they take the SAT, and that’s perfectly okay! What’s important is that you allow yourself enough time to retake the test if those circumstances apply to you. 

Even for those who have the utmost faith in their testing abilities, it may be wise to allow some extra wiggle room between your first test and your application deadlines. We advise against taking back to back SAT tests unless it’s absolutely necessary. Signing up for back to back tests does not allow you enough time to study and will most likely not raise your score at all while simply adding extra stress to your senior year.

It may be useful to take the SAT your junior year if you can. By completing the test in fall or spring of your junior year, you provide yourself with plenty of time to prepare for another exam date in the summer or fall of your senior year.

Consider Your Prep Time

Every student will prepare for the SAT in their own way. Therefore, you must take the amount of time you need for your unique preparations into consideration before choosing your test dates. In general, you should spend at least 10 hours preparing for the SAT, but that time may increase depending on whether or not you need to improve your score.

Here is a brief guide detailing about how many hours you will need to study to improve your SAT score by a given number of points:

• Improve by at least 30 points: 10 hours.
• Improve by at least 100 points: 40 hours.
• Improve by at least 150 points: 80 hours.
• Improve by at least 200 points: 150 or more hours.

Students looking to improve their scores by a substantial number of points should leave a few months before their test date to space out their studying and avoid stressful or overwhelming cram sessions. It may help to create a study schedule for proactive time management as well.

For more information about how to create an effective study plan for the SAT, check out our full guide here.

Other Commitments

There are a variety of SAT test dates throughout the year for a reason. From friends and jobs to extracurriculars and homework, high schoolers have a lot going on. Try to plan ahead when choosing your test date to make sure it doesn’t conflict with other important events in your life. 

One or more potential dates may fall on your birthday, prom, or an important competition. Select a test date that won’t have you rushing around feeling stressed so you can focus entirely on scoring well on your test.

What to Do After You Schedule Your SAT Test Date

Congrats on scheduling your SAT! Follow these tips to help you get a jumpstart on your preparations for the big day.

Practice Makes Perfect

Use the availability of SAT practice tests to your advantage. You can take as many practice tests as you want by printing them from the College Board’s official website.

Practice tests are a great way to check your progress and guide your studies toward the areas that challenge you the most. They can also expose you to the format and environment of the test so you can familiarize yourself with the experience and hopefully reduce test-taking anxiety.

Get Help from Trusted SAT Experts

Whether you’re lost and looking for a little extra guidance or just want to ensure that you’re making the most of your valuable study time, you may want to try enrolling in an SAT prep course. With self-paced courses, 6 to 8 week prep guides, and weekend reviews, PrepExpert offers tons of SAT online prep at the click of a button that will fit any student’s study style or schedule. 

Not to mention, our courses come with a Guaranteed 200 Point SAT Boost so you can rest assured in the knowledge that your time with our instructors will be a well-spent investment toward your future success.