During the COVID pandemic, when test sites were closed around the world, most universities in the United States waived the requirement that standardized test scores be submitted with applications.
The NCAA also suspended, then eventually dropped altogether, their requirement that prospective student-athletes take the SAT or ACT to establish academic eligibility.
While some colleges, including all public universities in California, have eliminated test score requirements permanently, others –such as MIT, Florida, Georgia, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas– have reinstated the requirement and will expect SAT or ACT scores from all applicants.
Below are the test dates for the SAT and the ACT (for domestic and international students) for the 2025-26 school year.
2025-26 SAT Test Dates – U.S. and International Students
(All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, U.S.)
| SAT Test Date* | Registration Deadline | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, and Late Registration** |
| Aug 23, 2025 | Aug 8, 2025 | Aug 12, 2025 |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Aug 29, 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 |
| Oct 4, 2025 | Sep 19, 2025 | Sep 23, 2025 |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Oct 24, 2025 | Oct 28, 2025 |
| Dec 6, 2025 | Nov 21, 2025 | Nov 25, 2025 |
| Mar 14, 2026 | Feb 27, 2026 | Mar 3, 2026 |
| May 2, 2026 | Apr 17, 2026 | Apr 21, 2026 |
| Jun 6, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 |
* Students who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day.
**Late registration is available worldwide. Additional fees apply.
2025-26 ACT Test Dates – U.S. Students
| ACT Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline** | Photo Upload and Standby Deadline |
| Sep 6, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 | Aug 19, 2025 | Aug 29, 2025 |
| Oct 18, 2025 | Sep 12, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Oct 10, 2025 |
| Dec 13, 2025 | Nov 7, 2025 | Nov 24, 2025 | Dec 5, 2025 |
| Feb 14, 2026 | Jan 7, 2026 | Jan 21, 2026 | Feb 6, 2026 |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Mar 6, 2026 | Mar 24, 2026 | Apr 3, 2026 |
| Jun 13, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | May 27, 2026 | Jun 5, 2026 |
| Jul 11, 2026* | Jun 5, 2026 | June 24, 2026 | Jul 3, 2026 |
*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.
**Late fee applies.
February: Science Included (required for composite score)
April: Science Optional (online testing only)
June: Science Optional (online testing only)
July: Science Optional (online testing only)
September: Science Optional (online and paper testing)
2025-26 ACT Test Dates – International Students
| ACT Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline** | Photo Upload and Standby Deadline |
| Sep 5-6, 2025 | Aug 8, 2025 | Aug 22, 2025 | Aug 29, 2025 |
| Oct 17-18, 2025 | Sep 19, 2025 | Oct 3, 2025 | Oct 10, 2025 |
| Dec 12-13, 2025 | Nov 14, 2025 | Nov 28, 2025 | Dec 5, 2025 |
| Feb 6-7, 2026 | Jan 9, 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Apr 10-11, 2026 | Mar 13, 2026 | Mar 27, 2026 | Apr 3, 2026 |
| Jun 12-13, 2026 | May 15, 2026 | May 29, 2026 | Jun 5, 2026 |
| Jul 10-11, 2026 | Jun 12, 2026 | Jun 26, 2026 | Jul 3, 2026 |
**Late fee applies.