2025–2026 SAT & ACT Testing Guide for College Access Professionals

Key Dates, Strategic Insights, and a Free Planner for Your Students

As a college access advisor, you know the impact a strong testing strategy can have on your students' admissions and scholarship outcomes. This guide provides everything you need to support students through the 2025–2026 SAT and ACT season—including key dates, advising tips, and a downloadable planner you can use in workshops or 1-on-1 sessions.

📅 2025–2026 SAT & ACT Test Dates

Below are the national testing dates for the upcoming academic year. Confirmed dates are listed in full; projected dates (based on historical patterns) are marked with an asterisk (*). Use this chart to help students map out their testing plan relative to college deadlines.

🧠 Advising Students on Testing Strategy

🔁 Start From Deadlines, Then Plan Backward

Encourage students to determine which deadlines they’re targeting—Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular—and schedule their final test accordingly. Aim for the last test date to fall 4–6 weeks before the application is due.

📈 Recommend at Least Two Attempts

Colleges often superscore, and most students improve on subsequent tries. Ensure students plan for a first attempt in spring of junior year and a retake by early fall of senior year, especially for scholarship eligibility.

📚 Help Them Align Testing With Prep Time

Students need 8–10 weeks of consistent prep per test. Support them in finding realistic prep windows that avoid conflicts with AP exams, finals, or major personal commitments.

🚫 Flag Common Testing Pitfalls

Avoid recommending test dates that fall during major school events, family travel, or burnout periods. A well-rested, focused student almost always performs better.

📝 Registration & Fee Waiver Info

Direct students to register early at the official sites:

• SAT: satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration

• ACT: my.act.org

Encourage eligible students to request fee waivers through their school counselor. Waivers cover multiple test attempts and additional services.

🎓 Why Test Planning Still Matters—Even Test-Optional

While many colleges are now test-optional, high scores still offer major advantages, especially for:

• Scholarships and merit aid

• Selective admissions

• Balancing out a lower GPA or uneven transcript

Planning ahead gives your students options, confidence, and leverage.

🧾 Free Tool: 2025–2026 SAT/ACT Test Planner

Give your students a visual roadmap. Our free planner includes:

✔️ All test dates

✔️ Registration and late registration deadlines

Use it in advising sessions or distribute at workshops.

🎯 Support Beyond the Test: Tried & True Prep

Tried & True offers supportive, flexible prep options that can meet students where they are:

• 1-on-1 and group tutoring (in-person or virtual)

• Practice tests with scoring and feedback

• Workshops on test strategy, timing, and anxiety management

Whether your students are aiming for 100 points higher or just need to build test confidence, we’ll help them build a plan—and stick to it.