The students fall into silence as their computers flash a loading screen. Within moments the timer will begin, starting the exam that could impact the rest of their lives. As they tread into unfamiliar territory and a new era for college admission testing, students reflect on the digital PSAT.
“Initially when I found out the test would be taken online, I was definitely upset and felt almost cheated out of a real PSAT,” junior Arianna Fontus said. “However, as more information came out about the test format, I was really excited.”
2023 marks the first year the PSAT and SAT, which are standardized tests taken by high school students and typically used for college admissions, will be administered online. Both exams are being transferred to a permanent digital format in order to make them easier to administer alongside keeping them relevant to students.
“[Taking] the PSAT online was not as bad as I thought it [would be],” sophomore Sachelle Ramroopsingh said. “It felt familiar since it was online because all of my tests in school have been online.”
Not only are the exams online, but there are modifications to their formats. For instance, on the math sections of the PSAT, which previously were split into calculator and non-calculator sections, students can now use calculators on both. Additionally, the sections of the exam (referred to as modules) are now more personalized to each student and the questions on their second math module depend on how they do on the first module. These alterations allow for a more personalized and secure testing experience for students.
“To my surprise, I actually preferred taking the test online [as opposed to on paper],” Fontus said. “The tools provided on the online exam like the timer and Desmos as well as the new, easier to read ELAR section made the test a breeze. The online test felt more laid back and not nearly as tedious.”
These added resources, as stated by CollegeBoard, include: “[A] way to flag questions in order to come back to them later, a countdown clock… a built-in graphing calculator… a reference sheet for each math question consisting of math formulas.” Additional changes to testing formats include that the PSAT is now an hour shorter as a result of these alterations.
“I personally liked everything about the online PSAT,” Ramroopsingh said. “[I also think that taking the exam digitally] will bring my score up because I am more comfortable with taking online tests as opposed to paper tests.”
One major effect of the online exam is that students can expect their results much sooner, as results of the PSAT will be released on November 6 and November 16, 2023. This will allow students to assess how they did on the exam and move towards the digital SAT.
“My mindset is definitely more confident and eager about the SAT online,” Fontus said. “However, I’ll continue to study and won’t breathe easier until PSAT scores come out.”
