Planning calendar · 2026–27

Some Important Dates

A practical calendar of dates families may want on their radar for SAT testing, AP exams and selected university application systems.

This is a planning tool, not a complete deadline list. University deadlines can vary by program, applicant type and institution. We always recommend checking the university's own admissions page first.

Dates last checked against official sources: September 9, 2026.

SATAP ExamsUK / UCASNetherlandsIreland / CAO

September–December 2026

September 1, 2026

UCAS 2027 applications can be submitted

Completed undergraduate applications for 2027 entry can be sent to UCAS.

October 3, 2026

SAT

Weekend SAT test date. College Board lists September 18 as the registration deadline.

October 15, 2026 · 18:00 UK time

UCAS early deadline

Equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/science courses.

November 5, 2026

CAO 2027 application facility opens

Ireland's CAO online application facility opens at noon for the 2027 cycle.

November 7, 2026

SAT

Weekend SAT test date. College Board lists October 23 as the registration deadline.

December 5, 2026

SAT

Weekend SAT test date. College Board lists November 20 as the registration deadline.

January–March 2027

January 13, 2027 · 18:00 UK time

UCAS equal-consideration deadline

Deadline for most undergraduate courses for 2027 entry.

January 15, 2027

Netherlands: general numerus-fixus deadline

Study in NL lists January 15 as the general deadline for numerus-fixus programs. Always check the specific university and program.

January 20, 2027 · 17:00

CAO discounted application deadline

The 2027 CAO handbook lists January 20 as the end of the discounted application-fee period.

February 1, 2027 · 17:00

CAO normal application deadline

Normal closing date for CAO applications. Restrictions apply to later applications and certain courses.

February 25, 2027

UCAS Extra opens

Eligible applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

March 6, 2027

SAT

Weekend SAT test date. College Board lists February 19 as the registration deadline.

April–May 2027

April 30, 2027

Selected AP portfolio/task deadlines

College Board lists April 30 deadlines for AP Computer Science Principles, AP Seminar, AP Research and World Languages personalized project references.

May 1, 2027

SAT + Netherlands general application date

Weekend SAT test date. Study in NL also lists May 1 as the general application deadline for non-numerus-fixus programs, while warning that institutional deadlines can differ.

May 1, 2027 · 17:00

CAO late application deadline

Late applications close, subject to CAO restrictions.

May 3–7, 2027

AP Exams — Week 1

First week of the 2027 AP examination administration.

May 7, 2027

AP Art and Design portfolio deadline

College Board lists 11:59 p.m. ET as the student submission deadline.

May 10–14, 2027

AP Exams — Week 2

Second week of the 2027 AP examination administration.

June–September 2027

June 5, 2027

SAT

Weekend SAT test date. College Board lists May 21 as the registration deadline.

June 30, 2027 · 18:00 UK time

UCAS applications with choices

UCAS states that applications received after this date are automatically entered into Clearing.

July 1, 2027 · 17:00

CAO Change of Mind closes

CAO's free Change of Mind facility closes, with restrictions applying.

July 2, 2027

UCAS Clearing opens

Clearing vacancies become available for eligible applicants.

September 23, 2027 · 18:00 UK time

Final UCAS application date

Final date for 2027 entry applications through UCAS.

2027 AP exam schedule

College Board has published the subject-level 2027 AP schedule. Below are the dates most families need for planning; students should confirm the exact start time with their school or AP coordinator because 2027 start times vary by location.

DateSession 1Session 2
May 3Human Geography; Physics C: MechanicsBiology; Italian Language & Culture
May 4Business with Personal Finance; U.S. Government & PoliticsEuropean History; Microeconomics
May 5Cybersecurity; English LiteraturePhysics 1; Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
May 6French; Physics 2; World HistoryAfrican American Studies; Chemistry
May 7German; U.S. HistoryMacroeconomics; Networking (pilot schools)
May 10Calculus AB; Calculus BCMusic Theory; Seminar
May 11Japanese; PrecalculusStatistics
May 12English LanguageArt History; Computer Science A
May 13Spanish LanguageChinese; Environmental Science
May 14Comparative Government; Computer Science Principles; Spanish LiteratureLatin; Psychology

Why we like having this page

A calendar is useful because families often discover too late that testing, application and enrollment timelines overlap. It also gives Pathways a page that can be updated every year and linked from college-planning articles, which is useful for search visibility.

We intentionally call it Some Important Dates because there is no universal European application calendar. The university's own admissions page remains the final authority.