Dominate the SAT Exam with These Study Guides
The 2025-2026 school year will see the SAT, a crucial college entrance exam, taking place on several occasions. Here's a breakdown of the test dates, registration deadlines, and helpful study tips to help you prepare.
SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
The SAT will be administered on the following dates in the 2025-2026 school year: Aug. 23, Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Nov. 8, Dec. 6, March 14, May 2, and June 6.
When registering for the SAT, it's essential to do so well in advance. The registration deadlines and late registration deadlines are as follows:
| SAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | | ------------- | --------------------- | -------------------------- | | Aug. 23, 2025 | Aug. 8, 2025 | Aug. 12, 2025 | | Sept. 13, 2025 | Aug. 29, 2025 | Sept. 2, 2025 | | Oct. 4, 2025 | Sept. 19, 2025 | Sept. 23, 2025 | | Nov. 8, 2025 | Oct. 24, 2025 | Oct. 28, 2025 | | Dec. 6, 2025 | Nov. 21, 2025 | Nov. 25, 2025 | | March 14, 2026 | Feb. 27, 2026 | March 3, 2026 | | May 2, 2026 | Apr. 17, 2026 | Apr. 21, 2026 | | June 6, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 |
Preparing for the SAT
To succeed in the SAT, it's crucial to start preparing well in advance. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Take a diagnostic test to assess your readiness, set a goal score, and determine how much you need to improve your score.
- Look for an SAT prep book with a skill or subject diagnostic test.
- Seek out an SAT prep book offering at least three SAT practice tests with answer keys included.
- SAT prep books now include various supplementary materials like online videos, additional online practice tests, and smartphone apps.
- If you want to improve up to 70 points on the SAT, you should dedicate at least 20 hours to studying. If you need to improve by 100 points, you'll need to dedicate at least 40 hours.
- Make a study schedule by dividing the total hours you'll need to study by the number of weeks you have until the exam.
- Follow the instructions for using your SAT prep book included in the introduction, and target your weakest areas first for optimal score improvement.
Recommended SAT Prep Books
There are several SAT prep books available to help you prepare for the exam. Here are some of the top choices:
- The Test Prep Books' Digital SAT Study Guide 2025 and 2026 - A budget-friendly SAT prep book that includes seven practice tests and a comprehensive overview of the exam.
- Kaplan SAT Total Prep 2026 - A comprehensive SAT prep book that includes four practice tests and supplementary online materials.
- The Mike and Patrick Barrett SAT Prep Black Book - A concise, strategy-focused book with detailed walkthroughs and actionable advice for each type of question on the SAT.
Exam Day Preparation
On the morning of the SAT, you'll need a charged approved testing device with the Bluebook application installed and exam setup completed, a graphing calculator, pencils, your photo ID and your SAT admission ticket.
The SAT is a digital-only college-entrance exam that takes 2 hours and 14 minutes. The current version of the SAT consists of two main sections: writing and language, and mathematics.
By following these tips and using the recommended resources, you'll be well on your way to acing the SAT and securing your place in the college of your dreams. Good luck!
A student who aims to excel in the SAT can benefit tremendously from education-and-self-development resources tailored for online-learning, such as SAT prep books or interactive online courses, to help boost their learning and prepare effectively. Moreover, focusing on health by ensuring adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise can also contribute positively to a student's performance during the SAT.
