Dear Sophomore and Junior families,
The PSAT is a great practice opportunity for the SAT. PSAT Day will take place on Friday, October 17th. This year, the PSATs will be digital to help students prepare for the digital SATs starting in March. This guide is to provide students with information and resources to prepare for PSAT day.
Overview of Testing
The digital PSAT/NMSQT is substantially shorter than its paper and pencil predecessor—lasting 2 hours and 14 minutes, instead of almost 3 hours. You’ll have more time, on average, to answer each question, meaning that the digital PSAT/NMSQT measures your skills and knowledge, not test-taking speed. There will be shorter reading passages and a built-in calculator that can be used on the entire math section.
The digital SAT Suite of Assessments uses multistage adaptive testing. Each test section (Reading and Writing, Math) is divided into two equal-length, separately timed parts, called modules. Students answer a set of questions in the first module before moving on to the next. The questions that students are given in the second module depend on how they performed on the first module. This type of adaptive testing allows for a much shorter, but just as reliable, assessment that delivers scores more accurately.
What to Expect from Testing is a short video provided by CollegeBoard.
CollegeBoard Student Guide
CollegeBoard provides a comprehensive student guide with test-taking strategies, sample test materials, and a full section regarding the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Bluebook
Bluebook is the custom-built application you’ll use to take the PSAT/NMSQT. Starting in spring of 2024, Bluebook will also be used for the digital SAT, so taking the digital PSAT/NMSQT will be good practice. You will be able to familiarize yourself with key aspects of the app before the test during your school’s digital readiness activities.
If you want to preview Bluebook, you can download the application to your device. You can download Bluebook by visiting-https://bluebook.app.collegeboard.org/. Bluebook includes plenty of test tools for students. Here are some examples:
Mark for review: You can flag and return to any question within a given test module that you want to come back to later.
Testing timer: A clock counts down the time remaining in each module. You can hide the timer, and you get an alert when 5 minutes remain in the module. When there are only 5 minutes remaining, the clock can no longer be hidden.
Calculator: A built-in Desmos graphing calculator is available for the entire Math section. The calculator is provided in the practice test on Bluebook to allow you to practice using the calculator before the test. (You can also bring your own acceptable calculator; please see psat.org/calculator for a full list.)
Reference sheet: On the Math section, you have access to a list of common formulas.
Annotation: You can highlight any part of a passage and leave yourself a note. This tool is only available for Reading and Writing questions.
Option eliminator: If you think an answer option is wrong, you can cross it out.
Bluebook will keep running, even if your connection drops momentarily. If your device battery runs down, you can simply plug in, restart your device, and pick up where you left off—all your work will be saved, and you won’t lose testing time. If the app crashes during your exam, just relaunch it and hit Resume Testing to get back to the question you were on. The testing timer will be paused until you resume testing.
Testing Devices
You are allowed to use your personal device for testing. Personal devices can include a Mac or Windows device or an iPad. You are not allowed to use a personal Chromebook. Your device must also be able to connect to Wi-Fi and be charged enough to stay on for roughly 3 hours. We recommend you bring a power cord or portable charger, but we can not guarantee you will have access to an outlet. You are permitted to bring an external mouse for your device and an external keyboard if your device is a tablet. You can not use detachable device privacy screens. All other applications and programs must be closed during the test.
Only complete this form if you do not have a personal device or if your personal device does not meet the above qualifications. The deadline to complete this form is October 3rd.
Digital Readiness Check
A digital readiness check will take place during the week of October 7th during English classes. More details will follow regarding the digital readiness check. This is to ensure your device is prepared for PSAT day. Please download the Bluebook app prior to this day.
Practice Test
Take an official PSAT/NMSQT practice test to become familiar with Bluebook, including the types of questions you’ll answer and the exam tools you’ll use to take the test.
1. Download the Bluebook app at bluebook.app.collegeboard.org
2. Go to Practice and Prepare on the Bluebook homepage, and select Full-Length Practice.
3. After you’ve finished the practice test in Bluebook, go to My Practice at mypractice.collegeboard.org and sign in with the same credentials provided by your school to view your score results and review your practice exam questions, answers, and their explanations.
Testing Day
Students will be grouped by last name and grade level. Rosters with testing locations will be posted around the school starting the week of testing. Students will need to report to their testing location by 8:40. Attendance will be taken by the proctor in your testing room.