This past month, students completed their testing online instead of paper as the College Board decided to move to a digital version. The SAT and AP exams are now online as well. Students were equally divided up by alphabetic order by last name and assigned a room for testing.

College Counselor Courtney Bradley said, “It is most likely that the College Board is starting to move to become completely digital.”

All students had to download the testing app Bluebook and complete a Digital Readiness Check ahead of time. Proctors and the testing coordinator had several training modules to complete to learn how to use the new online system.

Ms. Bradley commented, “Students had to ensure their devices were set up and compatible with the new testing platform.”

The Testing Coordinator had to upload and import a lot of information online such as adding students and proctors, assigning rooms, and granting access.

She commented that earlier that morning she was informed by the administration that “one of the websites College Board manages for the digital PSAT was experiencing technical difficulties nationwide.”

This resulted in some issues and delays for proctors and the Testing Coordinator but was ultimately resolved, so there was minimal disruption to students. Students had to come prepared with a fully-charged laptop as well as a power cord or charger.

Ms. Bradley collected feedback for the day. “Regarding online testing from proctors and students alike has been generally positive. The test is shorter and is easier to administer. The testing app Bluebook has a lot of very helpful functions built into the system, which saves me as the Testing Coordinator a lot of time, and it is easier for the proctors when they help students troubleshoot the day of the administration.”

Additionally, testing took approximately three hours for students. They were dismissed as the various groups completed the test.

Students will receive their scores in about four to six weeks from October’s test date, typically in mid-November.