Mark Your Calendars: Fall 2025 ACT® & SAT® Dates and Deadlines
The start of a new school year always shakes up a family’s calendar. Between after-school practices, weekend tournaments, and everything else that pops up in the fall, test dates can sneak up quickly. That’s why it’s so important to help your students and their parents choose a test date—and get registered—before the deadlines arrive. Early commitment means better testing center options, fewer headaches with SSD/TAA approval timelines, and enough runway for an October or November first attempt (with December still in play for a retake if needed).
So, when exactly are those test dates? Let’s take a look at the Fall 2025 ACT® and SAT® schedules so you and your clients can start planning.
Fall 2025 Test Dates, Deadlines, and Score Release
Whether your students are aiming for an early September test or saving their shot for December, these dates lock in the rhythm of their prep plan. Notice how the score release windows line up—this timing is what makes fall testing so valuable, especially for seniors who want results in hand before college deadlines.
To register for an upcoming Fall 2025 ACT®, visit MyACT.
For more information, such as Fee Waivers, ACT® TAA system, or EL supports, visit ACT.org. ACT also lists “photo upload & standby” deadlines; see official schedule.
To register for an upcoming Fall 2025 SAT®, sign in to MySAT.
If you need details on Fee Waivers, SSD Accommodations, or supports for English Learners, visit CollegeBoard.org.
Turning Test Dates Into a Fall Game Plan
Now that you’ve got the calendars in front of you, the real question is: What’s the game plan?
Here’s how I like to frame the fall season—it’s all about pacing, checkpoints, and building in that crucial backup plan.
Early Fall (Now through Early September)
This is the “let’s get organized” stage.
Encourage your clients to secure their test dates as soon as possible, as seats at popular test centers fill up quickly.
It’s also the perfect time to run a diagnostic test (or one of each test if they’re still deciding between ACT® and SAT®) and lay out a realistic prep schedule.
If a student needs test accommodations or EL supports, start those conversations now. The paperwork takes time, and deadlines can sneak up quickly.
Mid-Fall (September to October)
By now, your clients should be in a steady prep rhythm (ideally, 2–3 focused lessons per week plus timed section practice). That prep time is where you target the weak spots revealed in their diagnostic test while reinforcing strategies they already know.
As test dates get closer, this is also the time to loop parents in so they can double-check registration, confirm test-day logistics, and carve out consistent study blocks at home so prep doesn’t slip to the bottom of the to-do list.
Two Weeks Before Test Day
Now the countdown is real. If you haven’t already, now is the time to have your clients experience taking a practice test that mimics test day conditions. The goal is to build stamina and get comfortable with the energy and pace of test day.
From here, the emphasis shifts to polish and confidence. Students should focus on tightening up their weak areas without ignoring their strengths. A balance of confidence-building (reviewing what they already do well) and fine-tuning (tackling recurring mistakes) can make the difference between a “good enough” score and a “goal” score.
This is also the ideal time for a parent check-in. Have families confirm details like test date, test center location, and any approved SSD or TAA supports. When parents handle the logistics, students are free to focus entirely on showing up ready to perform.
Test Week
Less is more. Have your clients do quick review sets, particularly of those weak areas, and revisit their highest-value topics, but no heavy lifting.
Check in and remind parents to make sure their child has printed admission tickets, packed their IDs, and knows exactly where they’re going on test day. Trust me—taking care of those little details can lower anxiety more than another round of math drills.
After Scores Come Back
This is the debrief stage. Go through the score report with your student, celebrate the wins, and pinpoint areas that still need work. If there’s still room for improvement, set your sights on the next available test date as a retake option. Keep the momentum going— it’s much easier to build on current progress than to restart after winter break.
Tutor Marketing Tips for Fall 2025
Fall test dates aren’t just important for your clients—they can also be a marketing goldmine for your tutoring business. Every registration deadline, score release date, and retake window is a natural opportunity to check in with families, keep your roster full, and position yourself as the go-to resource for test prep.
Here are a few ways to use the calendar in your favor:
Leverage deadlines as reminders. A quick email or text that says, “Don’t forget—SAT® October 4 registration closes September 19!” does double duty: it helps families stay on track and keeps your name top of mind.
Build urgency around retakes. When October scores drop, that’s your moment to remind students about December as a final chance to boost their scores.
Plan your social media content around test dates. Share quick study tips, mini practice questions, or countdown graphics in the two weeks leading up to each test. It’s an easy engagement and reinforces your role as a reliable guide.
Turn score release days into touchpoints. A well-timed “How did it go?” email can lead straight into conversations about additional lessons, retakes, or even referrals.
The key takeaway? Don’t just prep your students for test day—use the ACT® and SAT® calendars as a built-in marketing framework for your business.
Clear Choice Can Help You Do Both
At Clear Choice, we know that tutors need two things to thrive: strong results for clients and smart ways to grow their businesses. That’s why our fully-branded ACT®/SAT® curriculum gives you everything you need to deliver high-quality lessons and a professional image that sets you apart.
With step-by-step lesson plans, realistic practice questions, and full-length exams, you’ll have the tools to guide students toward higher scores—and keep families confident they’ve made the right choice in working with you.
Request a free Demo of Clear Choice’s ACT®/SAT® Curriculum and see how our resources can support both you and your clients this testing season.