Digital Testing FAQs

Most U.S. schools can order the digital PSAT 8/9 on the test ordering website. The digital SAT and PSAT 10 are currently available through state contract only.

Digital tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments are the same tests students take on paper, with the same benefits—plus the advantages of an online experience. Learn how digital testing helps students do their best on test day.

Before deciding to test digitally, confirm that your school can meet staffing and technical requirements. Go to Digital Testing Requirements.

No. We provide online training, documentation, and other support to help your school prepare for a successful test day. You will need a technology coordinator to set up the Cambium Assessment, Inc.™ (CAI) testing platform.

No formal training is required, but students should be familiar with the device they take the test on.

Yes. Students take digital tests on a secure browser. Once installed, it prevents students from visiting websites, using unapproved applications or tools, or copying test content.

No, all students taking the PSAT 8/9 at your school must test in the same mode, except for students with accommodations who require paper testing.

Score delivery for the digital PSAT 8/9 begins in December. Exact timing varies by test day. Go to Important Dates.

The digital PSAT 8/9 costs the same as the paper PSAT 8/9.

The ordering deadline is about 35 days before the week when you give the test. View a complete list of deadlines.

Keeping student data private is very important to us. We follow generally accepted standards to protect personal information. Read our full privacy statement.

We deliver the digital tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments in partnership with Cambium Assessment, Inc., (CAI). Get an overview of the testing system.

Yes. You'll need to download a College Board-specific version of the CAI secure browser and manage the test administration through a College Board-specific version of its Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) platform. Find out more about digital preparedness.

1:1 isn't a requirement, but your school will need to provide supported devices for every test taker and proctor. You can test groups of students on different days within the testing window.

Yes, a secure browser must be installed on all test-taking devices before test day.

No, schools with a bring-your-own-device policy aren't currently eligible. All testing devices need to be school owned.

All test day staff should be comfortable working with computers. Technology coordinators need to be familiar with setting up networks and configuring browsers and operating systems.

The free, required training for test day staff is available through our online learning system about six weeks before test day. Test coordinators get an email with instructions when it's available.

The total training time is about three or four hours for test coordinators and SSD coordinators, and about 30 minutes for proctors. You can complete the training at your own pace, and you don't have to finish in one sitting.

You'll learn about digital testing policies, space and equipment needs, and the CAI test delivery system. We recommend the training for paper testing as well, in case you need to give a paper makeup test or use paper to test students with disabilities.

Proctors can start by clicking through a simulation. They can also get hands-on experience in the CAI sandbox environment. Practice administering digital tests now.

You’ll need to select the appropriate accommodations for each student in TIDE’s Test Settings and Tools section. Learn how to configure settings and enable assistive technology at Delivering Digital Tests with Accommodations..

Yes, but it's minimal. Test coordinators just need to identify SAA students by selecting the correct setting in TIDE.

Yes, as long as students in the same room have the same break and timing accommodations and no other accommodations that could disturb other students.

Students taking the SAT with SAAs must be told that their scores won't be reported to colleges.

No. The digital tests are compatible with many different screen readers for Windows and Mac operating systems. We recommend testing students' screen readers before test day. For more information about screen readers and other assistive technology, go to TTS and AT Settings.

Students can practice using screen readers. Go to Taking a Digital Test with Assistive Technology for instructions.

Students can practice in the secure browser, where they can adjust the settings to simulate their test day experience. Learn more about helping students get comfortable with digital accommodations.

EL supports include translated test directions, approved word-to-word bilingual dictionaries, and time and one-half (+50%). Learn more about English learner supports.

No. EL students requiring time and one-half (+50%) need to be identified in SSD Online. Students will be automatically approved, and no supporting documentation has to be submitted.

Yes, but it's minimal. Test coordinators just need to identify students with EL supports requiring time and one-half (+50%) by selecting the correct setting in TIDE. Learn how on Delivering Digital Tests with Accommodations.

English learners can use one of the printed word-to-word bilingual dictionaries approved by College Board (.pdf/551 KB). Schools provide dictionaries to students on test day, collecting them when testing is complete.

No. Students who require only translated directions or a dictionary should test in a standard testing room unless they require time and one-half (+50%). Their scores can be reported to colleges. They don't need College Board approval to use these supports, and their test settings should not be configured in TIDE.

If you're testing students with accommodations that require paper testing materials, you may need to order them. Order PSAT 8/9 materials on the test ordering website. For other tests, follow the instructions provided in your school's training materials or by your department of education.

Your school should receive hard copies of all testing manuals and related materials about two weeks before the test. If you've ordered materials for students with accommodations that require them to take a paper test, you'll receive test booklets, answer sheets, and any other necessary materials. Materials for paper testing and digital testing may arrive in separate shipments.

Test coordinators should destroy any scratch paper or proctor materials and send back any test day forms. You'll find detailed instructions in the coordinator manual for each test.

If your school is part of a contract, your state or district bulk registration coordinator will upload files with student information.

If your school is not part of a contract, we'll provide a bulk registration access code to the coordinator who ordered the test, and they'll upload files. Learn about bulk registration.

Student information is available in the testing platform the day after your file is successfully submitted.

Your bulk registration coordinator can add new students until the day before test day.

No, you'll need to submit student data through the College Board bulk registration tool. Find out how to upload bulk registration files.

Ask your bulk registration coordinator to submit a new file with the correct data. If there are errors in most or all of your data, call us at 855-373-6387.

No, there won’t be backup paper test materials, but students may be able to take a makeup test.

Keep the Digital Testing Room Quick Start Guide (.pdf/1.73 MB) in your testing rooms on test day.

If you need more help, call us at 855-373-6387. Phone support is available 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday.