SAT Test Dates 2026/2027: Schedule, Polish Test Centers, and Fees

SAT Dates in 2026: March 14, May 2, June 6, August 22, September 12, October 3, November 7, and December 5. Registration closes approximately 2–4 weeks before the exam. In Poland, you can take the SAT in Warsaw (American School of Warsaw) and Krakow. The cost for international students is $111 (approx. 447 PLN).

I know students who lost their chance to apply to Harvard because they registered for the SAT one day after the deadline. One day. A friend from Wrocław, prepared, motivated, with a practice test score above 1400 – couldn’t take the October SAT because she clicked “register” 25 hours too late. She had to wait until December, which meant her scores reached universities at the last minute, with no margin for a retake. Stress she could have avoided.

And this isn’t an isolated case. Every year, dozens of Polish students learn about the SAT too late, register in a panic, or choose an unsuitable date – because no one showed them the full calendar in advance. Yet, choosing the right SAT date isn’t a matter of preference; it’s a strategic decision that can determine whether your application is complete or if you’ll have to send scores “at the last minute” with bated breath.

In this article, I provide you with all SAT dates for 2026, registration deadlines, estimated dates for 2027, a list of test centers in Poland, and a detailed breakdown of costs. You also get a decision matrix – which date is best depending on whether you’re aiming for Early Decision, Regular Decision, or European universities. Treat this article as your roadmap. Bookmark it, print the calendar, and set reminders. One missed deadline can truly cost you a year’s delay in your application.

One caveat: The College Board updates the schedule several times a year. Spring dates (March–June 2026) are officially confirmed. Fall dates (August–December) are based on the published calendar and historical patterns, but always verify them on satsuite.collegeboard.org before registering.

If you’re looking for a general guide to the SAT exam – its structure, strategies, sections – check out our complete SAT guide. This article focuses solely on logistics: when, where, and for how much.

SAT Calendar 2026 – All Confirmed Dates

The College Board has confirmed eight SAT dates in 2026. For Polish students, this is good news – just a few years ago, there were fewer international dates. Since the transition to the Digital SAT in 2024, the schedule has been unified: the same dates apply in the USA and abroad (with minor exceptions, which I’ll discuss below).

Here is the complete calendar for 2026:

March 14, 2026 (Saturday) The first date in the calendar year. Ideal for students who want to have their score before the end of their 11th grade (junior year). Registration closes February 27, 2026, late registration until March 3. Scores available online from March 27.

May 2, 2026 (Saturday) A popular spring date. Many treat it as their “main attempt” in 11th grade. Registration deadline: April 17, late registration: April 21. Scores from May 15.

June 6, 2026 (Saturday) The last date before the summer break. Good as a retake after March or May. Registration deadline: May 22, late registration: May 26. Scores from June 22.

August 22, 2026 (Saturday) The first date after the summer holidays. Historically, the August SAT was only available in the USA, but since 2025, the College Board has made it available to international students as well. Registration deadline: estimated approx. July 31, late registration: approx. August 4. Check exact dates on collegeboard.org, as fall deadlines may be updated. Scores approximately 2 weeks after the exam.

September 12, 2026 (Saturday) A new date in the SAT calendar – the College Board added September starting from the 2025/2026 academic year. This provides an additional opportunity for students who missed August. Registration deadline: estimated approx. August 28, late registration: approx. September 1. Scores approximately 2 weeks after the exam.

October 3, 2026 (Saturday) A crucial date for 12th-grade (senior year) students applying Regular Decision. It allows time for a potential retake in November or December. Registration deadline: estimated approx. September 18, late registration: approx. September 22. Scores approximately 2 weeks after the exam.

November 7, 2026 (Saturday) A solid date for a retake. Scores should be ready before most Regular Decision deadlines (usually January 1–15). Registration deadline: estimated approx. October 23, late registration: approx. October 27. Scores approximately 2 weeks after the exam.

December 5, 2026 (Saturday) The last date of the year. Risky for RD, as scores may only appear around December 19 – just before January deadlines. Don’t leave it until the last minute if you don’t have to. Registration deadline: estimated approx. November 20, late registration: approx. November 24. Scores approximately 2 weeks after the exam.

Important note on deadlines: Registration dates for spring 2026 (March, May, June) are officially confirmed by the College Board. Fall dates (August–December) are based on patterns from previous years and may vary slightly. Always check the current calendar on satsuite.collegeboard.org.

What about SAT dates for 2027?

The College Board usually announces the full schedule for the next academic year in the summer of the preceding year. Based on patterns from 2024–2026, we can estimate that the SAT in 2027 will take place in these months:

• March 2027 (estimated March 6 or 13)
• May 2027 (estimated May 1 or 8)
• June 2027 (estimated June 5 or 12)
• August 2027
• September 2027
• October 2027
• November 2027
• December 2027

Official SAT 2027 dates should appear on the College Board website around June–July 2026. As soon as they are announced, we will update this article.

SAT Test Centers in Poland

Let’s start with the most important information: there are 2–3 permanent SAT centers in Poland, and their availability may vary depending on the date. Not every center offers every date – so register early before spots fill up.

Warsaw – American School of Warsaw (ASW)

Address: ul. Warszawska 202, Bielawa, 05-520 Konstancin-Jeziorna Phone: +48 22 702 8500

This is the largest and most stable SAT center in Poland. Technically, ASW is located in Konstancin-Jeziorna, south of Warsaw, but you can reach it from central Warsaw in about 30–40 minutes by car (or by bus line 710 from Wilanów). ASW is an international school with an American curriculum, accredited by the Middle States Association – SAT administration is routine for them; they have been conducting exams for years and have experience and excellent infrastructure.

What you should know:

• Approximately 100+ spots for each date, but popular dates (October, March) fill up quickly – it has happened that in October, available spots disappeared within 2 weeks of registration opening.
• On-site parking is available and free, but it’s better to arrive early (7:15–7:30) because rush hour traffic on Trakt Królewski can be surprisingly heavy.
• The exam starts at 8:00 AM, check-in from 7:45 AM – don’t be late, as you won’t be allowed in after the doors close.
• The school is located in a green area – if you arrive too early, you can take a peaceful walk to calm your nerves before the exam.
• If you are traveling from another city, consider staying overnight in Konstancin or Mokotów to avoid morning travel stress.

Krakow – International Centers

In Krakow, the SAT is organized by international schools, including the International School of Krakow and Kolegium Europejskie. Availability changes year to year – some centers open and close depending on demand, and Krakow usually offers fewer spots than Warsaw.

If you plan to take the exam in Krakow, register as early as possible. Krakow centers often have 30–50 spots per date, and popular dates fill up very quickly. Tip: if you see that Krakow is full, ASW in Warsaw almost always has available slots – and a train ride from Krakow to Warsaw takes about 2.5 hours.

How to check current centers:

1. Go to satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/test-center-search
2. Select the date and country: Poland
3. The system will show all available centers with open spots
4. Note the center code – you will need it during registration

Gdansk and other cities

Historically, the SAT was also organized in Gdansk (e.g., at the Gdansk Autonomous School). However, availability in smaller cities is unpredictable – a center might operate for several years and then disappear from the list. The same applies to Wrocław and Poznań – there were sporadic centers there, but they cannot be relied upon regularly.

If you live in Tricity (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot), Wrocław, Poznań, or Łódź, realistically plan to travel to Warsaw or Krakow. Many students combine this with a weekend trip – you take the SAT on Saturday morning, and you have the rest of the day for sightseeing. This is not an ideal solution, but the reality in Poland is that we only have two stable SAT centers.

SAT abroad – an alternative for Polish students

If you are currently abroad (on vacation, exchange), you can take the SAT at any center worldwide. Popular centers close to Poland:

• Berlin – several centers, high availability
• Vienna – stable center, good organization
• Prague – International School of Prague
• Copenhagen – worth considering if you are on an exchange in Scandinavia

Simply select a center in another country during registration. You don’t have to be a resident – the SAT is a global exam.

What to bring to the exam?

Exam day is not the time for improvisation. Prepare everything the day before and double-check. Here’s a complete checklist:

• Valid passport – for international students, this is the only reliable form of identification. A Polish ID card (dowód osobisty) may not be accepted if it’s not in an English-language format. Your passport must be current (not expired). The photo in your passport must clearly match your current appearance.
• Admission ticket – printed from the College Board website. Some centers accept a phone version, but the College Board officially requires a printout. Don’t risk it.
• Fully charged laptop or tablet with the Bluebook app installed. Since 2024, the SAT is fully digital – there is no paper version. Make sure Bluebook is updated to the latest version and that you have downloaded the test module (exam setup) the day before.
• Charger – just in case, although centers usually have outlets available at the desks. Your laptop battery should last for the entire exam (approx. 2.5 hours), but why risk it?
• Calculator – allowed in the Math section (graphing or scientific). The built-in Desmos calculator in the Bluebook app also works, so a physical calculator is not mandatory, but many students feel more confident with their own.
• Snack and water – for the 10-minute break between modules. A banana, an energy bar, a small bottle of water. Nothing heavy – you don’t want to feel sluggish in the second half of the test.
• Watch (optional) – Bluebook has a built-in timer, but an additional watch on your wrist gives you a sense of control.

Arrive by 7:45 AM. Check-in includes identity verification (the proctor compares your ticket photo with your face and passport), ticket check, and seat assignment. After 8:00 AM, the doors close – no exceptions, even if you are a minute late.

How to choose the best SAT date?

This is the most important section of this article, because simply knowing the dates is not enough. You need to choose a date that fits your situation – and that depends on which universities you’re applying to, what grade you’re in, and how much time you need to prepare.

Scenario 1: Applying to the USA – Regular Decision

Regular Decision deadlines are usually January 1–15. This means the College Board must deliver your score to universities by then. Here’s your optimal path:

• Ideal date: October of 12th grade (senior year) (October 3, 2026). You get your scores around October 17. You have time for a retake in November, and scores from both attempts reach universities on time. Superscore? No problem.
• Safe date: May/June of 11th grade (junior year). This gives you almost a year for improvement if your score doesn’t meet your expectations. Many people take it in May, analyze mistakes, practice over the summer, and retake it in September or October.
• Risky date: December of 12th grade (senior year) (December 5, 2026). Scores appear around December 19 – just 2 weeks before the deadline. You no longer have time for a retake. If it doesn’t go your way, you’re stuck with the score you have.

Scenario 2: Applying to the USA – Early Decision / Early Action

This changes everything. ED/EA deadlines are usually November 1 or 15. You must have your SAT score ready at least 2–3 weeks beforehand.

• Essential date: latest August (August 22, 2026). You get your scores around the first week of September – you’ll make it.
• Optimal date: May or June of 12th grade (senior year) (or even earlier, in 11th grade). You have peace of mind, time for a retake, and no stress when submitting your EA/ED application.
• October 2026 = too late for most ED/EA programs. Scores from October 3 will appear around October 17, which theoretically gives you 2 weeks, but in practice, universities prefer scores submitted earlier, and you don’t have time for a potential retake.

Scenario 3: Applying to European universities

European universities accepting the SAT (Bocconi, IE, Sciences Po, schools in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden) usually have deadlines from January to March. This gives you much more flexibility:

• You can comfortably take the SAT in October, November, or even December.
• Beware of universities with rolling admissions (e.g., many universities in the Netherlands, Denmark). The earlier you submit your application with an SAT score, the better – spots fill up.
• Bocconi usually has a deadline in mid-January – a December SAT is tight; it’s better to aim for October or November.

You can read more about European universities accepting the SAT in our guide to European universities with SAT requirements.

Retakes – how much time between attempts?

The College Board allows you to take the SAT on every available date, but a reasonable minimum between attempts is 8 weeks. You need time to analyze mistakes, change strategies, and prepare again. Taking it every month without changing your approach is a waste of money – and mental energy.

Here’s what a retake plan should look like:

• Week 1–2 after the exam: Rest and wait for scores. Don’t study – give yourself time to mentally reset.
• Week 3: Score analysis. Bluebook and the College Board report show which question categories you lost points in. Write down your 3 weakest areas.
• Week 4–7: Intensive work on weak points. This is where practicing on okiro.io comes in – an adaptive platform with hundreds of Digital SAT questions that identifies your gaps and serves questions tailored to your level.
• Week 8: Full practice test under exam conditions (morning, with a timer, no phone breaks). If the score is better than before – register for the next date. If not – you might need more time or a different study strategy.

Practical advice: don’t take the SAT more than 3 times. After three attempts, the gains from further attempts are marginal (diminishing returns). It’s better to dedicate that time to perfecting application essays, developing extracurricular activities, or preparing for other exams (TOEFL, AP). Remember also that each attempt costs $111 – three attempts are already $333 (approx. 1,340 PLN).

SAT Exam Costs in 2026

Forget the amounts from Polish internet forums two years ago – fees have changed. Here are the current costs effective from August 2025 (testing year 2025/2026):

Base fee: $68. This is the price for the exam itself, paid by students in the USA.

International fee: $43. As a student taking the exam outside the USA, you pay this automatically. It cannot be avoided (unless you take the exam in the USA, e.g., during a campus visit).

Total for a Polish student: $111 (approx. 447 PLN at an exchange rate of $1 = 4.03 PLN from February 2026).

This is not the end of potential costs. Here is the full list:

• Late registration: +$38. You pay this if you register after the regular deadline but before the late registration closes. Total: $149.
• Change fee (date or center): +$29. Decided on a different date? You’ll have to pay extra.
• Rush score reports: +$31 per report. Standard scores reach universities in 2–4 weeks. Rush shortens this to a few days.
• Additional score reports: 4 reports are included in the registration fee (you must designate universities during registration or up to 9 days after the exam). Each additional report: $14.

Realistic budget

For a typical Polish student who takes the SAT once and sends scores to 4 universities, the cost is $111 (approx. 447 PLN). If you take it twice, a retake is another $111. Add to that any study materials, and the total SAT cost is usually $222–$350 (approx. 900–1,400 PLN).

Let’s compare: the IELTS exam costs approx. 1,000 PLN, Cambridge C1 Advanced approx. 750 PLN, and TOEFL iBT approx. 1,050 PLN. The SAT for 447 PLN is a relatively affordable price for an exam that opens doors to global universities. And if you apply to universities that accept the SAT as a substitute for an English proficiency test (e.g., some Dutch universities accept a high R&W score instead of IELTS/TOEFL), you save twice.

It’s also worth remembering that the College Board offers fee waivers for students in financial need. In Poland, this is less common than in the USA, but if you qualify, contact your school counselor or the College Board directly. A fee waiver covers the full cost of the exam, including the international fee.

SAT Registration Step-by-Step – Quick Overview

You can find full instructions with screenshots in our step-by-step SAT registration guide. Here’s a quick summary:

1. Create a College Board account at collegeboard.org. You’ll need an email, basic personal details, and an address.
2. Choose your test date and center. Go to the SAT Registration section, select a date, then search for a center in Poland (or another country).
3. Upload a photo. The College Board requires a photo that meets their guidelines (face clearly visible, white background, current). The photo is printed on your admission ticket and verified on exam day.
4. Pay by card. $111 for international students. Accepted cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover. PayPal is not supported.
5. Download and install Bluebook. This is the College Board app for taking the Digital SAT. Install it on your laptop or tablet and run it before exam day to download the test module.
6. Print your admission ticket. You won’t be allowed into the exam without it.

The entire registration process takes 15–20 minutes, provided you have a ready photo and card details. Tip: register in the first week registration opens. Popular centers (especially ASW in Warsaw) fill up quickly.

What if I need to change my date or cancel?

Life is unpredictable. Illness, conflict with an academic competition, travel plan changes, an unexpected school exam – there are many reasons. Good news: the College Board allows changes. Bad news: it costs money.

Changing the date or center:

• Fee: $29 (approx. 117 PLN)
• Possible until the registration for the new date closes – if you want to move from March to May, you must make the change before the May registration deadline.
• Changes apply to the same academic year – you cannot “transfer” a fee from 2026 to 2027.
• You can change both the date and the center (e.g., from Krakow to Warsaw) in one operation for the same fee.
• To change your date, log in to collegeboard.org, go to “My SAT,” and select “Change Registration.”

Canceling registration:

• If you cancel before exam day, you may receive a partial refund. The College Board deducts an administrative fee, so from $111, you’ll get back approximately $30.
• The refund goes to the card you paid with, within 4–6 weeks.
• If you simply don’t show up for the exam (no-show), you do not receive any refund – the entire fee is forfeited.
• You cannot cancel and transfer the fee to a future date – these are two separate transactions.

What if you get sick on exam day? Contact the College Board as soon as possible. In justified cases (documented illness), you may receive a full refund or a free transfer to another date, but this requires submitting an application with medical documentation.

Practical advice: if you are hesitating between two dates, register for the earlier one. It’s easier to postpone (for $29) than to risk the later date being full. Additionally, early registration gives you a better position when choosing a center – at ASW in Warsaw, popular dates can fill up weeks before the deadline.

When will SAT scores be available?

The Digital SAT has significantly sped up score release compared to the old paper test. Here’s what you need to know:

Standard waiting time: approx. 2 weeks after exam day. The College Board publishes scores online – you log in to your account and see your score. There is no separate email with scores.

What exactly you will see:

• Total score (400–1600)
• Reading & Writing score (200–800)
• Math score (200–800)
• Percentiles (how you performed compared to other test-takers)

Sending scores to universities:

• 4 reports are included in the registration fee – you must designate universities during registration or up to 9 days after the exam.
• Each additional report: $14.
• Standard delivery: 2–4 weeks after scores are published.
• Rush delivery: +$31, scores arrive in a few business days.

Superscoring – many American universities (including all Ivy League schools) consider the highest score from each section across different attempts. If in May you scored 700 in Reading & Writing and 650 in Math, and in October you scored 680 in R&W and 740 in Math, your superscore is 700 + 740 = 1440. This is a powerful tool – which is why it’s worth taking the exam more than once, provided you have time to improve between attempts.

Score Choice – The College Board also offers the Score Choice option, which allows you to choose which scores from which attempts you send to universities. You don’t have to send all scores. Note: some universities (e.g., Georgetown) require you to send scores from all attempts – check the policy of each university you apply to.

Do European universities use superscoring? Generally no – European universities accepting the SAT (Bocconi, IE Business School, Sciences Po) usually consider your best total score from a single attempt, not a superscore from multiple sessions. This is another argument for preparing thoroughly and aiming for the best possible score in one go.

You can read more about score analysis in our article on SAT scores needed for European universities.

Preparation Strategy and Date Selection

Your choice of SAT date should be linked to your preparation plan. Here are some principles:

If you’re just starting and your diagnostic test score is below 1200, give yourself a minimum of 3–4 months of intensive preparation. Take a diagnostic test on okiro.io today to know where you stand and how much time you realistically need.

If you’re aiming for 1400+ from a 1200–1300 level, you usually need 2–3 months of solid study. Focus on weaker areas, hundreds of practice questions, error analysis. Our SAT preparation plan gives you a detailed weekly breakdown.

If you’re already at 1350–1450 and want to break the 1500 barrier, this is the longest process. The difference between 1400 and 1500 is a matter of eliminating 5–8 mistakes – and that requires surgical precision in identifying traps. Give yourself 2–3 months of targeted practice.

Golden rule: register for a date that is 2 weeks after your planned preparation completion. These 2 weeks are a buffer for review and mental rest. Don’t take the SAT the day after your last day of studying – you’ll be tired, and your score won’t reflect your full potential.

Wondering if the SAT is even worth your time? Read Is the SAT worth it for a Polish student? and check out the SAT vs. ACT comparison to choose the exam that better suits your strengths.

Tips for Exam Day

Logistical issues can affect your score more than you think. A student who didn’t sleep, arrived just in time, and is nervous about forgetting their charger won’t perform at their full potential. Here’s a detailed plan for exam day:

The day before (Friday):

• Install the latest version of Bluebook, launch the app, and download the test module (exam setup). Do this on Friday morning to have time to resolve any technical issues.
• Charge your laptop to 100%. Check that the charger works and pack it in your backpack.
• Prepare your passport, admission ticket, charger, snack, water bottle, calculator. Put everything in one place.
• Go to bed at a normal time (10:00 PM–11:00 PM). Don’t study until 3 AM – it won’t help. Your brain needs sleep to function efficiently in the Reading & Writing section.
• Plan your commute – check the route on Google Maps for 7:00 AM to see how long it will realistically take with Saturday morning traffic.

In the morning (Saturday):

• Wake up at least 2 hours before check-in, i.e., around 5:45 AM–6:00 AM. You need time to wake up, eat breakfast, and commute.
• Eat a good breakfast: oatmeal with banana, scrambled eggs on toast, yogurt with granola – anything that combines carbohydrates with a protein source. Avoid anything that causes you stomach discomfort.
• Leave with a 15–20 minute buffer. Traffic on Saturday morning in Warsaw is not as heavy as during the week, but unexpected delays can occur on the route to Konstancin.

At the exam:

• Don’t panic if the first module seems difficult – the Digital SAT is adaptive. If you get harder questions in the second module, it’s a sign that you did well in the first.
• Use the built-in Desmos calculator in the Math section – it’s powerful and saves time.
• You have a 10-minute break between the Reading & Writing and Math modules. Stand up, drink some water, eat a banana, close your eyes for a moment. Do not check your phone or talk to others about questions – this is prohibited and can result in your score being invalidated.
• If you finish a module early, use the remaining time to review marked questions. It’s not worth leaving early.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Summary – Your Next Steps

You now have the full picture: 8 SAT dates in 2026, exact registration deadlines, test centers in Poland (Warsaw and Krakow), a detailed breakdown of costs ($111 as a base), and a decision matrix to help you choose the optimal date depending on your application type. You also have a plan for retakes, tips for exam day, and answers to frequently asked questions. The only thing left is to take action. Here’s your plan:

1. Take a diagnostic test on okiro.io to know your current score and how much time you need to prepare. This will take 2 hours but save you weeks of wandering.
2. Read our registration guide – how to register for the SAT step-by-step with screenshots and tips.
3. Plan your preparation with our SAT preparation guide, which gives you a concrete weekly plan for 8 or 12 weeks.
4. Check score requirements – what SAT score you need for European universities and compare it with your diagnostic score.
5. Register for your chosen date. Don’t delay – centers in Poland have a limited number of spots, and registration deadlines won’t wait.

If you’re unsure whether the SAT is the right exam for you, read SAT or ACT – a comparison and is the SAT worth a Polish student’s time. And if you want to see what real questions look like, check out our SAT practice test.

Good luck. Or rather – good luck, but most importantly, a good plan. Because for the SAT, a plan beats talent.