The remaining 2026-2027 Standard paper SSAT dates are November 14 and December 12, 2026 and January 9, January 30 and March 13, 2027; October 10 has passed. The Elementary Level tests only in November and December. SSAT at Home runs Tuesday to Saturday in select weeks, and Prometric centers test most days. Registration closes the Wednesday before each paper test, with a $59 late fee from three weeks out and a $100 rush fee from two weeks out.
The Standard paper SSAT is the most established testing format and the one most boarding school applicants choose. Six national paper administrations are offered for Middle and Upper Level students between October 2026 and March 2027. Tests run on Saturdays at approved test centers — usually independent schools — across the U.S. and abroad.
| Test date | Levels | Late fee ($59) from | Rush fee ($100) from | Registration closes | With accommodations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 10, 2026 (passed) | Middle, Upper | September 20 | September 27 | October 7 | September 26 |
| November 14, 2026 | Elementary, Middle, Upper | October 25 | November 1 | November 11 | October 31 |
| December 12, 2026 | Elementary, Middle, Upper | November 22 | November 29 | December 9 | November 28 |
| January 9, 2027 | Middle, Upper | December 20, 2026 | December 27, 2026 | January 6 | December 26, 2026 |
| January 30, 2027 | Middle, Upper | January 10 | January 17 | January 27 | January 16 |
| March 13, 2027 | Middle, Upper | February 21 | February 28 | March 10 | February 27 |
See what each Standard paper date costs if you register today, the last day to register, and whether paper scores (about two weeks) arrive before your earliest school deadline.
Prices are for U.S. and Canada testing. Last verified against admission.org: October 26, 2026. Paper scores are typically released within two weeks, and occasionally take up to three.
The six 2026-2027 SSAT Standard paper test dates are October 10, November 14, and December 12 in 2026, followed by January 9, January 30, and March 13 in 2027. There is intentional spacing between dates so students can sit, see scores, and decide whether to retake before the next administration. The break between January 30 and March 13 also gives students room to focus on areas they want to improve.
Standard paper SSAT administrations begin at 9 a.m. local time of the test center. Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes early so you can check in, find your seat, and settle in before the proctor starts the exam. Bring your admission ticket, a photo ID acceptable at your level, and several sharpened No. 2 pencils. Calculators are not permitted on any SSAT level.
Paper SSAT scores are typically released to families and schools on the same day, within about two weeks of the test date. The SSAT notes that release can occasionally take up to three weeks, and there is no expedited scoring. A student who tests on December 12 should usually see scores in late December, ahead of a January 15 deadline. If you need scores sooner, Prometric and SSAT at Home results usually come out within about a week.
The Elementary Level SSAT is designed for students in grades 3 and 4, and it follows a much shorter calendar than Middle and Upper Level. Only two Standard paper dates are offered each year, and unlike the older levels, Elementary has no SSAT at Home or Prometric option. Families need to plan around this tight window.
Elementary Level SSAT is offered on November 14, 2026 and December 12, 2026. Both dates share registration deadlines with the Middle/Upper Level Standard paper dates: registration closes the Wednesday before the test, the $59 Late Fee begins three weeks out, and the $100 Rush Fee begins two weeks out. Domestic Elementary registration costs $112; international registration is $229. (See the full fees table later in this guide.)
The Elementary Level SSAT is a shorter, age-appropriate version of the test administered exclusively on paper at established test centers. Computer-based at-home and Prometric formats are reserved for Middle and Upper Level students. Because the paper schedule is the only path forward for younger applicants, families should secure a registration as early as possible — ideally 8 to 10 weeks before their preferred date.
Elementary Level students can also take one Flex test per testing year. Flex testing is administered by approved schools and educational consultants outside of the national Standard dates, giving an extra option if November 14 and December 12 do not fit the family's calendar. With both Standard dates and one Flex, Elementary students can test up to three times in a single year.
The SSAT at Home option lets Middle and Upper Level students test from their own quiet space using a personal computer. It is available only to students who are physically in the United States, a U.S. territory or Canada on test day, and only for the Middle and Upper Levels. Testing runs Tuesday through Saturday in select weeks, and you must schedule at least 72 hours before your start time.
| Testing week | Days | Status |
|---|---|---|
| October 13-17, 2026 | Tuesday-Saturday | Passed |
| November 3-7, 2026 | Tuesday-Saturday | Published |
| December 2026-June 2027 | To be announced | SSAT says more dates are coming soon |
SSAT at Home scores are typically released on the Wednesday after your Tuesday-to-Saturday testing week. Testing on Tuesday or Wednesday doesn't get you scores that same Wednesday. For the November 3-7 week, expect scores around Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Testing times are generally 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET (7 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT). After registering, you book a specific start time from your SSAT account. A remote proctor checks the room and ID and watches by webcam. You can reschedule free until 11:59 p.m. ET three days before your appointment, but you can't switch an at-home registration to paper or Prometric.
You need a computer (Mac, Windows PC, iPad or a Chromebook that runs Android apps), a second camera device such as a phone on a stand, internet of at least 15 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up, and a quiet room with a clear desk. Only the student may be in the room after check-in, and a parent must stay nearby. Run the official system check at least a week ahead. Each Middle or Upper Level student can take one SSAT at Home per testing year, on top of paper and Prometric tests.
Prometric centers offer the most controlled computer-based experience for SSAT testers. More than 5,000 Prometric locations offer the SSAT, most of them daily, and registration stays open until the day before a test date. Prometric SSAT testing is not offered in China, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Korea, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam. Prometric is a strong choice when you cannot find a nearby Standard paper administration or want to avoid the technical setup of at-home testing.
| Feature | Standard Paper | SSAT at Home | Prometric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of dates | 6 Standard dates, plus Flex | Select Tuesday-Saturday weeks | Most days at most centers |
| Score release | Within about 2 weeks | Wednesday after your testing week | Wednesday after your Monday-Sunday scoring week |
| Maximum tests per year | All Standard dates + 1 Flex | 1 per testing year | 1 for now (2 later in fall 2026, per SSAT) |
| Levels offered | Elementary, Middle, Upper | Middle and Upper only | Middle and Upper only |
| Test medium | Pencil and paper booklet | Computer (your device) | Computer (Prometric workstation) |
| U.S. and Canada fee (Middle/Upper) | $177 | $263 | $250 |
Prometric runs centers in major cities globally, and most have daily availability. Check seat availability in Prometric's scheduler before you register, then schedule from the "My Tests" link in your SSAT account. Because slots can fill quickly during peak admissions season (October through January), book as early as you can.
Prometric scoring weeks run Monday through Sunday, and scores are released on the Wednesday after the Sunday that ends your week. A Saturday or Sunday test gets scores three to four days later; a Monday test waits nine days. That is faster than the roughly two weeks for paper, which matters if your deadline is close to your test date. Rescheduling is free 29 or more days ahead, costs $35 from 3 to 28 days ahead, and isn't allowed in the last 2 days.
Both formats are computer-based and both use the same content as the paper exam, but the testing environment is the key difference. Prometric centers handle all proctoring, ID checks, and equipment, so families do not have to manage system checks, room setup, or sibling distractions. The trade-off is travel: students must get to a center for a scheduled appointment. The SSAT currently allows one Prometric test per testing year and says this will rise to two later in fall 2026.
Every Standard paper SSAT date has three deadline windows. Knowing where today falls in that timeline determines whether you pay the base price, a $59 Late Fee, or a $100 Rush Fee. The structure is the same for every test date in the 2026-2027 calendar.
All paper Standard administrations close registration at 11:59 p.m. ET on the Wednesday before the test. The surcharge goes from $0 to $59 (Late) 20 days before the test, then to $100 (Rush) 13 days before the test. SSAT at Home and Prometric registrations do not have these specific surcharges, but at-home appointments must still be scheduled at least 72 hours before the start time.
Accommodations must be approved before you register, and registration for a Standard test with accommodations closes 14 days before the test (October 31 for November 14, November 28 for December 12). The SSAT asks families to allow at least two weeks for an accommodations application, so start about a month before your target date.
If you pass the Wednesday-before-test cutoff, you can't register for that paper date. Late and Rush fees buy time but don't extend the final close. You can pick the next paper date, book Prometric (open until the day before) or SSAT at Home (72 hours before), or arrange a Flex test through a member school or approved consultant.
Paper registrations can be moved to another date, location or format, including Prometric or at home, until 11:59 p.m. ET three days before the test (the Wednesday for Standard dates), for a $49 fee. The new date must be before July 20, 2027.
Worked Example
Setup: A family wants to register a Middle Level student for the December 12, 2026 Standard paper SSAT. Today is November 17, 2026. They want to know what fee structure applies and whether they can still register at the standard rate.
The right SSAT test date depends on three things: when your school applications are due, how much prep time the student needs, and which format suits their working style. Most families benefit from working backwards from the application deadline first, then layering in prep and format considerations.
Most top U.S. boarding schools set their main application deadline around January 15. Because paper SSAT scores release in roughly two weeks, you want to test no later than the early January Standard date — and ideally by mid-December — to leave a buffer in case results come back slow. Enter your earliest deadline in the date and fee checker above to see the latest paper date that still works.
Many students feel more at ease the second time, once timing and question types are familiar. Build that into your calendar: take your first test in November or December, then keep a January date free for a retake if needed. You can wait to choose score recipients until you have seen your scores.
Standard paper testing rewards students who like marking up problems with a pencil — particularly in math, where written work pays off. SSAT at Home rewards students who can stay focused in a familiar environment. Prometric rewards students who like a controlled professional setting and want fast scores. The content, sections, and timing are identical across all three.
SSAT registration fees in 2026-2027 vary by level, format, and country. U.S. and Canada fees range from $112 for the Elementary Standard test to $263 for SSAT at Home. International paper and Flex testing costs more.
| Level / Format | U.S. & Canada | International |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary - Standard or school Flex | $112 | $229 |
| Elementary - Flex with an educational consultant | $172 | $229 |
| Middle/Upper - Standard or school Flex | $177 | $339 |
| Middle/Upper - SSAT at Home | $263 | Not available |
| Middle/Upper - Prometric SSAT | $250 | Shown when you register |
| Middle/Upper - Flex with an educational consultant | $272 | $339 |
| Late Fee (paper Standard only) | $59 | $59 |
| Rush Fee (paper Standard only) | $100 | $100 |
| Paper test change (date, location or format) | $49 | $49 |
Inside the U.S. and Canada, the cheapest path is a single Elementary Standard or school Flex registration at $112. For Middle and Upper Level students, the Standard paper fee is $177, Prometric is $250, and at home is $263. At home costs $86 more than Standard paper but adds scheduling flexibility and faster scores.
International paper and Flex testing costs $229 for the Elementary Level and $339 for the Middle and Upper Levels. SSAT at Home is available only in the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada, so students abroad choose paper Standard, Flex or Prometric.
Qualified families can request an SSAT fee waiver directly from the schools they are applying to. A waiver covers the SSAT registration fee and the official online practice. Ask early, because the waiver code has to be entered when you register. Our SSAT fee waiver guide walks through the steps.
When you sit down to register, run through this checklist to make sure nothing is missed. Each item links back to a key decision covered above.
Dates, deadlines, fees and policies last verified against admission.org on October 26, 2026. The SSAT can add test weeks and change prices, so confirm in your SSAT account before you pay.