Tests
SAT, ACT and English tests for international applicants
Which tests you need, when you can still sit them, and when your scores arrive — measured against your deadlines.
SAT dates 2026–27, international test centers
Scores reach you about two weeks after the test. To use a sitting for a deadline, its scores should arrive before that deadline.
| Test date | Registration deadline | Late registration | Scores released | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2026 | Aug 7, 2026 | Aug 11, 2026 | Sep 4, 2026 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Aug 28, 2026 | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 22, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 | |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | Oct 27, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | |
| Mar 6, 2027 | Feb 19, 2027 | Feb 23, 2027 | Mar 19, 2027 | |
| May 1, 2027 | Apr 16, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | May 14, 2027 | |
| Jun 5, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | Jun 21, 2027 |
Registering after the first deadline adds a late fee.
Register on the College Board siteHow US universities use the SAT and ACT
Where the 1,078 US universities on the Common App stand on the SAT and ACT this year.
Heads-up: these are the rules for American applicants. Some universities treat international students differently, and a few that are test-optional for Americans still expect scores from certain countries. Check the testing page linked on each university's page.
- 51RequiredScores are required.
- 131FlexibleOther tests (AP, IB…) can replace the SAT or ACT.
- 319Sometimes requiredRequired for some programs or applicants.
- 558OptionalYou choose whether to send scores (test-optional).
- 19Not consideredScores are ignored even if you send them (test-blind).
Should you take the SAT?
- If any university on your list requires it
- Take it. Aim for a sitting whose scores arrive before your first deadline.
- If your list is test-optional
- A strong score can still help, especially when your school system is unfamiliar to US readers. A weak score you don't send costs nothing but the fee.
- If you apply for financial aid
- Some universities use scores for merit scholarships. Check each university's scholarship page.
The ACT
The ACT is accepted wherever the SAT is. ACT only publishes its US test dates; availability at international test centers varies by country, so check the official schedule and your nearest center.
ACT official test datesEnglish proficiency tests
If English isn't your first language, most universities will ask for a test. 466 of them name the tests they accept; 611 spell it out on their own site.
Minimum scores and exemptions (for example, if you studied in English) change from one university to the next. Check each one's international page.
- TOEFL iBTaccepted by 465 universities
- IELTS Academicaccepted by 436 universities
- Duolingo English Testaccepted by 356 universities
- PTE Academicaccepted by 157 universities
- Cambridge Englishaccepted by 69 universities
Get your personal test calendar
Add your universities: the plan picks the SAT sitting that fits your first deadline and warns you if none does.