The College Board has updated its testing calendar! Typically, the SAT is offered seven times a year, in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. However, they've recently added an 8th test date for 2025, on September 13, 2025.
Learn why the new test date has been added and the pros and cons of taking the SAT in September so you can learn if this is the right SAT test date for you.
Why Is There a New September 2025 SAT Date?
There is typically no SAT in September. (An exception was in 2020 when the College Board added a September test date to help make up for several spring 2020 test dates that had been cancelled as a result of COVID-19). Why did the College Board add a new September 2025 SAT?
The College Board made the change without any announcement, so we can't be entirely sure as to the reasoning behind their decision, but was likely done to better meet the needs of students.
Adding an early Fall test date gives high school seniors another opportunity to take the SAT and potentially use those scores in their college applications. The October SAT, previously the first SAT you could take in the Fall, would get you your scores back in time for regular decision college deadlines, which are generally in December or January, but it'd be too late for most early action/early decision deadlines, which are usually in November. The September SAT will return SAT scores in time for most early action/early decision deadlines. This is great for high school seniors who want one more chance to take the SAT before they apply to a school with an early deadline.
It's likely that, when they temporarily offered a September SAT in 2020, the College Board realized how helpful it would be for students to have it as an option, so now they're offering it again. The ACT also has a September test date, so the College Board may also have decided to add one themselves to better match what their competitor is offering.
Will the September SAT Be the Digital or Paper Version?
If you choose to take the September SAT, you'll be taking the digital version of the test. Beginning in Spring 2024, the digital SAT was rolled out for all students. It's no longer possible to take the paper-and-pencil version of the SAT unless you're one of the small number of students with specific accommodations that allow it.
The digital SAT is taken on a computer, is shorter than the paper-and-pencil version of the test, and is adaptive. To learn more information, here's everything you need to know about the digital SAT.
Will There Be a September SAT Every Year?
It's not clear if the September SAT the College Board added in 2025 is a temporary or permanent change. As we mentioned above, there was a September SAT in 2020, but that was a temporary addition due to COVID-19 exam cancellations the previous spring. The College Board hasn't announced if the change is permanent, and they haven't released official exam dates for future years either, so it remains to be seen if this is a permanent change. It's also possible that the College Board hasn't made a final decision and is waiting to see how many people register for the new September SAT and if it works well logistically.
Pros and Cons of Taking the SAT in September
The introduction of a September SAT date in 2025 means you have a new opportunity to take the test at a time that wasn't previously available. But is this the right test date for you? Like any SAT test date, the September SAT has both advantages and drawbacks. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if it’s the best fit for you.
Pros
Your Scores Will Arrive On Time for Early Action and Early Decision
If you’re applying to any colleges early action or early decision, taking the SAT in September can be a smart move. In fact, it's probably the last chance you'll have to take the SAT and meet those deadlines. Since early application deadlines typically fall in October or November, a September test date ensures you'll receive your scores in time for early deadlines but gives you a bit more study time than the August SAT.
You'll Have More Time to Prepare Over the Summer
One of the biggest advantages of the September SAT is that it allows you to use the summer for dedicated test prep without the distractions of school. If you start studying in June or July, you'll have plenty of time to be well prepared come September. This is especially helpful if you’re a rising senior aiming to get one last SAT in before applying to colleges.
You'll Still Have the Opportunity to Retake the SAT
Taking the SAT in September gives you a built-in backup plan. If you don’t achieve your goal score in September, you’ll still have chances to retake the SAT in October, November, or December if you're applying regular decision to colleges. This flexibility is particularly helpful if you're not sure how well you’ll do on the SAT or if you want to take the test multiple times in the Fall to maximize your score.
Cons
Finding Time to Study May Be Difficult
Unlike the August SAT, which occurs before the school year begins, the September SAT takes place just as most students are returning to class. Balancing test prep with schoolwork, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities may be difficult. This is especially true if you'll also be working on college applications at the same time.
Limited Time to Improve Your Score Before Early Deadlines
While the September SAT does allow time for retakes, if you're applying early action or early decision you may not have time to retake the SAT as the October SAT may not get your scores back in time for those early deadlines. That means that, if your September results aren’t as high as you’d hoped, you'd either need to submit sub-optimal scores or take the SAT again and apply regular decision.
Less Time for College Applications
For high school seniors, Fall is already a busy time of year with college applications, essays, and letters of recommendation to complete and submit. Studying for the September SAT may take time away from focusing on college applications. If you prefer to have your testing out of the way before your begin your college applications, an earlier test date (such as June or August) might be a better choice.
What's Next?
Maybe you've taken the SAT already, but you're not happy with your score. You can always retake the SAT! Here's everything you need to know about taking the SAT for the second (or third, or fourth) time.
And of course, don't forget to register for the test well in advance. Here's a complete walk-through for signing up for the SAT.
No matter when you decide to take your SAT, the key to getting a great SAT score is studying. (Sorry, but it's true!) A good place to start is by checking out our ultimate SAT study guide. Once you're done there, you can put together a study plan that works for you. And if you need extra help, be sure to check out our online SAT prep courses!
