If you’re taking the SAT at a test center on a weekend, you may be wondering what to expect. Here are a few things to know.
1. Understand Why You’re Taking the Test
The SAT is about more than standing out on college applications, and your scores are more than just a number. Together with your high school grades, the SAT can help you identify the strengths and skills you need to improve and can help you plan for life after high school, to college, career, or wherever your path leads you. Find out why students like you take the test.
2. Keep an Eye on Your Test Center
Depending on when and where you’re testing, your test center may need to close due to reasons such as severe weather. Test centers report closures or reduced capacity as early as possible to ensure students are informed and to reduce uncertainty ahead of test day. Be aware that there may be a delay between the test center closing and an email notification. In the days leading up to each test, we’ll give updates about test center closures as often as possible. We also suggest you check directly with the test center and visit the test center’s website the day before and morning of the test, especially if you're planning to travel to the test center.
3. Know What Test Day Will Be Like
Arrive on time on test day. Be sure to check your admission ticket for your arrival time and the address of your test center. Test centers open at 7:45 a.m. and doors close at 8:00 a.m., unless otherwise noted on your admission ticket.
Starting this year, the SAT is digital. If you took the digital PSAT/NMSQT in school, then you know what to expect. Watch the video below to find out how to get your admission ticket and how test day will work.
More specifics on testing times, breaks, and what to expect can be found here.
4. Find Out What You Should Bring and What to Leave at Home
Because the SAT is now digital, you won’t need to bring pencils, but we do recommend you bring a pencil or pen for scratch work.
A few other things you can prepare to bring include:
- Your fully charged testing device with the Bluebook™ application installed and exam setup completed (see detailed device requirements).
- Your up-to-date admission ticket from the Bluebook app. Bringing a printed ticket is preferred, and you can access the ticket after completing exam setup (available starting 5 days before the test).
- Acceptable photo ID. This must be a physical document, not electronic.
- Pencils or pens for scratch work.
- Your College Board username and password.
- An acceptable calculator for use on the Math section of the test (there will be an embedded graphing calculator available to use within Bluebook).
- Epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) are permitted without the need for accommodations. They must be placed in a clear bag and stored under the student's desk during testing. For policies on other medications and medical devices, contact Services for Students with Disabilities.
These items are not necessary to have, but can be nice to bring with you just in case:
- A watch without an audible alarm. (The Bluebook application has a built-in timer that tells you exactly how much time you have left, but you might still want to time your break.)
- A charging cable or portable charger.
- A bag or backpack.
- A drink or snacks (for your break).
- A backup testing device.
Learn more about SAT preparation and how you can set yourself up for success on testing day at College Board’s SAT blog.
