What Seniors’ Parents Need to Know
Your Last SAT Date for UF, FSU and Other Florida Universities
Two SATs are left this fall: November 7 and December 5. Which one your child can still use depends on when they apply.
- Applying Early Action: at UF, USF and UCF, it’s too late. November scores come out after their deadline. At the University of Miami (UM), it’s very tight. At FSU and FIU, the November 7 SAT still counts.
- Applying Regular Decision: the December 5 SAT works at all six universities in this guide.
- Aiming for Bright Futures: there’s more time. Scores count until August 31 after graduation.
This guide shows the SAT dates left, how six Florida universities handle late scores, and how to decide whether one more test is worth it.
Last updated: October 2026 · Written by Fred Dufays, founder of UKE Tutoring
First, the three application plans
- Early Decision (ED): apply early and commit to attend if admitted. Binding.
- Early Action (EA): apply early, with no commitment.
- Regular Decision (RD): apply by the later deadline, usually December or January in Florida. The University of Miami also offers Early Decision II in January, which follows the Regular Decision testing calendar.
The earlier the deadline, the fewer SAT dates your child can still use. That is why the application plan and the testing plan have to be decided together.
The SAT dates left this year
| Test date | Register by | Late registration | Scores released |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 7, 2026 | October 23 | October 27 | November 20 |
| December 5, 2026 | November 20 | November 24 | December 18 |
| March 6, 2027 | February 19 | February 23 | March 19 |
Dates from the College Board. Students who need to borrow a testing device must register at least 30 days before test day.
Last SAT date for six Florida universities
Here is what each university says for this application cycle (entering summer or fall 2027):
| University | Early round | Regular round |
|---|---|---|
| University of Florida (UF) | Early Action: application November 1, materials (including scores) November 8, before November 7 scores come out. Later scores are considered only if space allows. | Application January 15, materials January 22: the December 5 SAT works. |
| Florida State University (FSU) | Early Decision and Early Action (Florida residents): application October 15, but additional scores accepted until December 1: the November 7 SAT works. | Application December 1, additional scores until January 1: the December 5 SAT works. |
| University of Miami (UM) | Scores due by the Final Credentials Deadline: November 13 for Early Decision I (too early for November scores) and November 20 for Early Action (the day November scores come out, very tight). | January 25 for Early Decision II and February 5 for Regular Decision: the December 5 SAT works. |
| University of South Florida (USF) | Early Action: application November 2, materials November 16, before November 7 scores come out. | Application December 16, materials January 15: the December 5 SAT works. |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) | Early Action: application October 15, materials November 15, before November 7 scores come out. | Fall deadline May 1, so the December 5 SAT works. Ask UCF before counting on a later test. |
| Florida International University (FIU) | First deadline November 2 (too early for November scores). Early Action: complete by December 16, so the November 7 SAT works, but December 5 scores arrive two days late. | Complete by March 2, 2027: the December 5 SAT works. FIU asks students to test no later than the fall of senior year. |
Two details that trip families up: Florida State only accepts self-reported scores on its own Admissions Portal, not through the Common App, and FIU asks for official scores sent directly by the College Board (code 5206). Policies change every year, so confirm on each university’s admissions page before registering.
Applying out of state too? Highly selective national universities follow similar rules: most accept November scores for early rounds and December scores for Regular Decision, but always check each college.
Bright Futures: the SAT that still counts after applications
College applications are not the only deadline. For Florida Bright Futures, SAT scores keep counting after senior fall: tests taken through August 31 of the graduation year count, so a March, May, June or August SAT can still raise your child’s award.
The SAT score needed depends on your child’s graduating class. For the Class of 2027 (current seniors): 1330 for Florida Academic Scholars (100% of tuition) and 1190 for Florida Medallion Scholars (75% of tuition). For the Class of 2028, the thresholds rise to 1350 and 1200. Students also need a weighted GPA of 3.50 (Academic) or 3.00 (Medallion), the required courses and service hours. A student just below a threshold can turn one more SAT into thousands of dollars.
Should your child take one more SAT?
Before registering, ask three questions:
- Which plan, at which university? List every application and its testing cutoff from the table above.
- Is the current score already strong? Compare it with each university’s middle 50% SAT range. A score in or above that range rarely needs another try, unless a Bright Futures threshold is within reach.
- Is there enough time to improve? Four weeks between the November and December tests is enough to review, not to build new skills. A retake makes sense when your child has a clear, fixable weakness, such as pacing or one math topic.
Not sure whether your child’s score is strong enough? Compare it with the ranges in our guide: SAT Scores for Florida’s Top 10 Universities.
Three common situations
Applying Early Action, and happy with the score
Your child is done with the SAT for admissions. Focus on the rest of the application, and keep Bright Futures in mind if the score is just below a threshold.
Applying early, and hoping for a higher score
Check the table first: at UF, USF and UCF, November scores arrive after the Early Action materials deadline, while FSU and FIU Early Action can still use them. Submit on time with the current score, then add the new one if the university accepts it.
Applying Regular Decision
Your child has two chances left. Many students take November 7, see the results on November 20, and decide by the November 24 late deadline whether to take December 5. UF superscores, as many universities do, combining the best Reading and Writing and the best Math scores across test dates, so a second try is rarely risky.
How UKE Tutoring helps seniors with the last SAT dates
With about six weeks before the December 5 SAT, preparation is tight but still useful. Our 1:1 online SAT prep starts with a full practice test as soon as possible, then another one every two sessions, so each session targets the mistakes that cost your child the most points. When the test date is close, we can schedule two sessions per week. Short on time before the test? Text or WhatsApp Fred and we’ll find the right option. Our tutors attend top US universities.
We work with families across South Florida (Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties) and beyond, since every session is online.
Not sure whether another SAT is worth it? Text or WhatsApp Fred at (754) 707-1070 with your child’s current score, universities and application plan, and we’ll give you an honest answer.
Other questions parents ask
Is there a January SAT?
No. After December 5, 2026, the next SAT is March 6, 2027.
What if the score goes down?
Universities that superscore keep the best section scores, so a lower retake usually does not hurt. Check each university’s score policy before sending.
Does this apply to the ACT too?
The logic is the same, but the ACT has different test dates. Check the ACT calendar and each university’s cutoff.
More free help for South Florida families: see our Family Resource Guide, with official SAT and ACT practice, AP resources, Bright Futures, FAFSA and college planning links.
Sources: College Board test dates · College Board score release dates · UF · FSU · UM · USF · UCF · FIU · Bright Futures Student Handbook 2026-27 · WLRN on Bright Futures changes
UKE Tutoring is an independent tutoring service and is not affiliated with the College Board, the Florida Department of Education or any university. Policies and dates can change: always confirm with each university.