Taking the SAT can be a stressful time for students. To help minimize stress, students are often told to finalize their scores by the end of junior year of high school. However, sometimes things don’t always go as planned.
Luckily, your child still has time to finalize their SAT scores in their senior year. Just know waiting this late comes with risks, which could be mitigated by taking the test earlier.
Are SAT Scores Still Important in Test Optional Admissions?
SAT scores are still important even with test-blind and test-optional policies. High SAT scores can qualify students for full-ride and partial scholarships at their college of choice, which can eliminate or reduce the need for student loans to pay for their education.
More importantly, SAT scores give your child’s application an edge if they apply to test-optional schools.
About 50% of the Class of 2027 submitted test scores with their applications to test-optional schools. While submitting test scores is optional, a good test score can make an applicant more competitive.
For the Class of 2027:
- 68% of students admitted into Boston College, a test-optional college, submitted a standardized test score.
- 66% of students admitted into Brown University, which was temporarily test-optional in 2023, submitted a standardized test score.
While test-optional policies remain common among colleges, an increasing number of top schools have returned to requiring standardized test scores. Some schools requiring SAT or ACT scores include:
- Brown University
- California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
- Dartmouth College
- Fisk University
- Florida State University
- Georgetown University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of Georgia
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
- Yale University
Colleges can and do change test policies, sometimes with little notice. Students should always review the testing policies of each school on their list prior to applying.
What are the SAT Test Dates for 2024-25?
As of November 2024, these are the SAT test dates for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year:
| SAT* Test Date | Registration Deadline | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, and Late Registration |
| December 7, 2024 | November 22, 2024 | November 26, 2024 |
| March 8, 2025 | February 21, 2025 | February 25, 2025 |
| May 3, 2025 | April 18, 2025 | April 22, 2025 |
| June 7, 2025 | May 22, 2025 | May 27, 2025 |
Below are the anticipated test dates for 2025 and 2026:
- Aug. 23, 2025
- Oct. 4, 2025
- Nov. 8, 2025
- Dec. 6, 2025
- Mar. 14, 2026
- May 2, 2026
- Jun. 6, 2026
*Students planning to borrow a device from the College Board should request their device at least 30 days before their test day.
SAT scores are typically released less than two weeks after the test is taken. Your child will have until December of their senior year to finalize their test scores, so they can be released in time for most regular decision application deadlines. However, we recommend finalizing their test scores before then to help relieve some of the stress they may feel when taking the exam. This can help improve their performance and offers them more time to prepare.
We strongly encourage your child to finalize their test scores no later than the summer after their junior year. The earlier test scores are finalized, the smoother the application process will be.
The SAT is administered on specific test dates throughout the year, providing multiple opportunities for students to take the exam. Registering for the SAT is a straightforward process that can be completed online or by mail.
How To Register for the SAT
To register for the SAT, your child should:
- Start by creating an account on the College Board website.
- Choose their preferred test date and location from the available options.
- Fill out the registration form with the required information and pay the registration fee.
- Provide a recent photo as part of the registration process.
- Double-check their form prior to submitting.
It’s important to stay aware of registration deadlines, as registering after the regular deadline can incur additional fees. If your child qualifies for fee waivers, they can register for the SAT at no cost.
Is It Too Late for High School Seniors To Take the SAT in Senior Year?
While your child can finalize their scores in senior year, we strongly recommend doing so before then. If for some reason they’re unable to earn their target score during junior year, encourage them to finalize scores the summer between junior and senior year.
Incoming seniors already juggle a lot: personal statements, college applications, extracurriculars, and school work. Waiting until fall of senior year to test increases the number of tasks already on a senior’s plate and adds to what can already be a stressful time. Plus, it gives your child a much narrower room for error, which can increase the stress students are under during the exam.
While students can take the SAT during their senior year, students must have a clear plan to optimize their time. Enrolling in an SAT prep program can help seniors earn their dream test score the first time.
Do Colleges Look at Senior Year SAT?
Each college has its own policies regarding SAT scores. Some schools only view the highest scores while others want to see all test scores. Your child should review the standardized test score policy for each of their dream schools ahead of time. This gives them an ideal range to aim for prior to taking their first exam.
When Should You Send Official SAT Scores to the College Board?
Your child can submit their test score any time prior to their application deadline. The College Board sends your child’s SAT scores to their selected schools within 10 days after the scores are available. We recommend your child submit their scores alongside their college application, so everything is received at the same time.
Increase Your Child’s Chances of Earning Their Ideal Score
Performing well on the SAT could increase your child’s chances of being accepted into their dream school and help them earn money for their tuition. Many universities offer merit-based scholarships based on standardized test scores which can reduce the financial burden of higher education.
Planning ahead for the SAT gives your child ample time to prepare for and retake the test, if necessary. By finalizing their test scores by the fall of junior year, your child can also reduce the stress tied to the exam.
While there are more benefits to taking the SAT sooner, finalizing scores in December of senior year isn’t the end of the world. Your child will need to use their time effectively and stay on top of upcoming deadlines to ensure their scores are submitted before college applications close.
Ready to start preparing for the SAT? Visit our website to get started!
