The 5 December SAT is the last one of 2026. Register by Friday 20 November, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If you miss that, late registration stays open until Tuesday 24 November for $38 on top of the $68 fee. Scores from 5 December come out on Friday 18 December. After this, the next SAT is 6 March 2027.
When is the deadline for the 5 December SAT?
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline | Friday 20 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Late registration, changes and cancellation close | Tuesday 24 November 2026 |
| Borrowing a device from College Board | Closed on 5 November: you had to ask at least 30 days before test day |
| Test day | Saturday 5 December 2026 |
| Free score sends end | Monday 14 December, four days before you see the score |
| Scores released | Friday 18 December 2026 |
What time is the deadline in India, Dubai and Singapore?
Every deadline closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States, wherever you test. For students outside the US, that is the next morning.
| Where you are | Registration closes |
|---|---|
| India (IST) | Saturday 21 November, 10:29 a.m. |
| UAE (GST) | Saturday 21 November, 8:59 a.m. |
| Singapore (SGT) | Saturday 21 November, 12:59 p.m. |
| United States, Eastern | Friday 20 November, 11:59 p.m. |
Late registration closes the same way: 11:59 p.m. ET on 24 November, which is the morning of 25 November in India, the UAE and Singapore. Don't leave it to the last hour, though. Seats at international centres often go before the deadline does.
My November score comes out on deadline day. What do I do?
Scores from the 7 November SAT come out on Friday 20 November, the same day the 5 December deadline closes. So most students who sat in November can see their score and still register on time.
If the score is where you need it, don't register again. If it isn't, you have until 11:59 p.m. ET that night at the normal fee, or until 24 November with the $38 late fee. College Board releases scores in batches through the day, so if yours hasn't appeared by the evening, decide from your practice scores rather than wait and pay the late fee.
Two weeks between the November score and 5 December isn't long, but it is enough to fix one or two weak skills. Your score report shows which ones.
Will December scores reach my college in time?
| Application deadline | Will 5 December scores make it? |
|---|---|
| 1 November or 15 November early deadline | No. Those deadlines have passed. |
| 1 December deadline | No, unless the college accepts late scores. Ask it. |
| 1 January (many regular decision and Early Decision II deadlines) | Yes. Scores come out on 18 December. |
| 15 January or later | Yes. |
Send the scores as soon as they arrive. Many colleges also accept a self-reported score on the application while the official report travels. Their testing page says whether they do. The full list of release dates is in when do SAT scores come out.
Missed 20 November? Three ways in
| Route | Cost | Works when |
|---|---|---|
| Late registration | $38 on top of the $68 | Until 24 November, if seats are left |
| Waitlist | $0 | United States only. You get a seat automatically if one opens near you. |
| Change your centre | $34 | You are already registered and need a different location |
In the US, join the free waitlist before you pay the late fee. Centres keep back part of their seats for their own students and release them through the registration window, so a full centre on 20 November is often not full a week later.
Outside the US there is no waitlist, so late registration is the only route. In India one sitting already costs $130.98 ($68, the $43 regional fee and 18% GST), and the late fee comes on top. The SAT guide for Indian students explains the costs and the centres.
The next SAT is 6 March 2027. That is too late for most 1 January applications, so if you need a score this cycle, 5 December is the last chance. If you don't, March gives you three months to prepare instead of two weeks. Which SAT date should you take compares them.
Check your device this week
A laptop that fails Bluebook's checks on test day wastes the whole registration. Personal Chromebooks are no longer allowed, school Chromebooks must run in managed mode, smart glasses are banned, and older operating systems won't run Bluebook. The full list is in SAT device requirements for Bluebook.
Install Bluebook and run its device check now, not the night before. The deadline to borrow a device from College Board passed on 5 November.
Frequently asked questions
When is the registration deadline for the December 2026 SAT?
Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, for the SAT on Saturday 5 December. Late registration, changes and cancellation close on Tuesday 24 November.
What time is the SAT deadline in India?
The 20 November deadline closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, which is 10:29 a.m. on Saturday 21 November in India. In the UAE it is 8:59 a.m. and in Singapore 12:59 p.m. on 21 November.
When do 5 December SAT scores come out?
Friday 18 December 2026. Free score sends end four days earlier, on Monday 14 December.
Is 5 December the last SAT of 2026?
Yes. After 5 December the next SAT is 6 March 2027, which is too late for most 1 January application deadlines.
Can I see my November score before registering for December?
Usually, yes. Scores from 7 November come out on 20 November, the same day as the December deadline. If your score hasn't appeared by the evening, you can still register late until 24 November for $38 more.
How much does late registration cost for the December SAT?
$38 on top of the $68 registration fee, until 24 November and only while seats are left. Changing an existing registration to a different centre costs $34.
Will December SAT scores arrive in time for a 1 January deadline?
Yes. Scores come out on 18 December. Send them as soon as you see them, and check whether the college also accepts a self-reported score while the official report arrives.