UNDERSTANDING THE NEW DIGITAL PSAT/SAT FOR A SUCCESSFUL TESTING DAY

STUDENT DIGITAL READINESS CHECK

OCTOBER 6, 2023 - OCTOBER 10, 2023

DR. JESSICA KEMLER, ROSLYN UFSD DISTRICT TESTING COORDINATOR

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Same structure and timing as new digital SAT (Beginning in March of 2024)
• The test is 2 hours and 14 minutes and offers more time to answer each question.
• Each test section (Reading/Writing, Math) is divided into two equal-length, separately timed parts, called Modules.
• There is one, 10-minute break between test sections. Since everyone might be taking a break at slightly different times, read the directions on your computer, leave your device open, and leave the room quietly (you do not need to notify the proctor.) If you need to take an unscheduled break, click on the more button and select “unscheduled break” - your countdown clock WILL NOT be stopped and you will lose testing time.
• Is a Multistage Adaptive Test (The questions in the second module get easier/harder depending on how you performed in the first module). You will not be penalized for wrong answers.
• You MUST complete all sections of the test based on your approved timing, and get to the Congratulations screen to confirm that your answers were submitted. If you leave before dismissal, and/or you receive a Congratulations screen, your test may be considered incomplete and your scores may be ineligible for scholarship consideration or may be subject to cancellation.
• Should you lose power or your internet connection during the test, all is not lost! The testing platform saves your work locally on your device and it will be recorded once you reconnect to the internet.

TEST FORMAT - Reading/Writing

The PSAT/SAT will feature a greater range of topics, tones, and styles, with more questions stemming from the humanities and a few poetry questions added (often by authors from the early 1900s and before). However, the passages and their corresponding questions will be grouped by the skill set they’re testing rather than by the reading topic. You can expect each Reading and Writing module on the digital PSAT/SAT to assess these skills:

1. Information and Ideas (12–14 questions): Use details from brief texts, tables, and infographics to determine the main idea, choose the best evidence to support a claim, answer comprehension questions, or infer the most logical way to complete an excerpt.
2. Craft and Structure (13–15 questions): Define words and phrases that appear in lines of poetry or sentences of prose, evaluate how passages are making arguments, or connect ideas presented in two excerpts (e.g., determining whether one idea builds on another or whether two paragraphs are making similar or different claims).
3. Expression of Ideas (8–12 questions): Select the transitional word or phrase that makes the author’s meaning clearer for readers, or use a short set of provided notes to decide which of the answers achieves a particular purpose (e.g., which answer represents a comparison, or which answer represents a contrast).
4. Standard English Conventions (11–15 questions): Choose answers that reflect your knowledge of conventional grammar and mechanics.

TEST FORMAT - Math

The digital PSAT/SAT will no longer test reading skills in the Math section. The online format will feature more concise, straightforward questions that focus on your mathematical understanding rather than your reading ability.

The Math topics tested on the digital SAT remain the same as those in the paper test, but they’ve been renamed:

1. Algebra (previously called Heart of Algebra; 13–15 questions): Develop, analyze, or solve linear equations and inequalities as well as systems of equations.
2. Advanced Math (previously called Passport to Advanced Math; 13–15 questions): Create, interpret, or solve a variety of problem types, such as quadratic equations, polynomial operations, or absolute-value equations.
3. Problem Solving and Data Analysis (no name change; 5–7 questions): Answer prompts about ratios, rates, or proportions; convert units; calculate percentages; analyze data with one or two variables; or infer data and evaluate claims from statistics.
4. Geometry and Trigonometry (previously called Additional Topics in Math; 5–7 questions): Solve problems involving perimeter, area, or volume; angles, triangles, or trigonometry; and circles. The digital SAT will have nearly double the number of geometry and trigonometry questions as the paper version (15% of the section as opposed to the previous 8%).

Within these four topics, you’ll also see two question formats:

• Multiple choice: You’ll select one out of four possible choices supplied on the test.
• Grid-in, aka student-produced, response: You’ll need to develop your own answer and then input your answers digit by digit rather than choosing from a group of possible solutions.

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TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND PREPARATIONS

• You MUST use your district-issued Chromebook to test.
• Chromebooks must be fully charged on test day.
• The Bluebook kiosk will be installed on all Chromebooks and can be found in the bottom left of the log-in screen.

*Additional Chromebooks and district technology staff will be available on test day if an issue arises with the network, kiosk, or your device.

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TEST NAVIGATION AND FEATURES (BLUEBOOK TOOLS)

The Desmos Onscreen Calculator

If you own and regularly use a personal handheld calculator, you’re allowed to bring it to the test if it’s an approved device. But built into the Bluebook testing application is a Desmos graphing calculator that you can use on the entire Math section. It allows you to graph lines and curves, plot points, locate x- and y-intercepts, and complete various other calculations.

If you’re planning to use the Desmos calculator, experiment with the device online and in practice tests to familiarize yourself with its various capabilities well before test day. The embedded onscreen device also includes updated accessibility features, such as compliance with screen readers and other assistive technologies, so you’ll want to test out those elements as well if you’ll be using them.

The Online Notepad

In Bluebook, you won’t be able to mark up graphs, charts, or diagrams in the test. But the digital PSAT/SAT features an online notepad if you tend to do scratch work when completing math problems. Alternatively, you can bring a pen or pencil, and the proctor will provide paper if requested.

You won’t receive credit for any of your scratch work. But using the online notepad or provided paper can be useful for sketching out calculations or double-checking your solutions.

The Countdown Clock

The digital SAT format will feature a countdown timer at the top of your testing screen so that you’ll know how much time is remaining in any given stage. If the clock causes you anxiety, you can choose to hide it. Whether on screen or hidden, you’ll be alerted when you have five minutes remaining on the module.

Mark-for-Review and Strikethrough Tools

The digital PSAT/SAT allows you the flexibility to move back and forth between questions as long as they are in the current module.

The new format also features a tool that allows you to mark questions that you want to return to.

This can be a terrific time-saver: if you arrive at a prompt that’s challenging you, you can mark it, move on to other questions in the same stage, and then return to those you flagged after you’ve finished the easier prompts.

You’ll notice that you can also strike through answer options you know to be incorrect. So if you read through a question and can eliminate even one or two of the four possibilities but can’t quite choose between the remaining choices, you can strike through the incorrect options, mark the question for review, and then come back to it later when you have more time to think through it.

A Math Reference Popout

For the Math section, you won’t have to memorize common formulas because during the test, you’ll be able to access a reference popout. It includes reminders such as how to calculate the circumference or area of a circle, the hypotenuse of a right triangle, and the volume of cylinders and cones.

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GETTING READY

• In a few moments, you will be logging into the Bluebook Kiosk using the district credentials provided.
• You will have the chance to confirm personal information, review and agree to the Digital PSAT/NMSQT Testing Rules, and make sure your device is working properly.
• You will see questions about yourselves, your educational experience, and plans for after graduation. All questions are optional.
• You will have an opportunity to complete several practice questions now. Please try out ALL the tools we reviewed today so that if you have any questions, I can answer them for you. I will not be able to assist you in using these tools on testing day.
• You can take your log-in ticket with you to practice more at home. It is recommended that you practice on your Chromebook using the digital tools. There is a full-length practice test available for you.

*Please note that if you have testing accommodations, they will appear on your screen and will be available to you during the practice and actual exams.

On Test Day

• You MUST bring your school issued ID card (with photo).
• You MUST bring your fully-charged district issued Chromebook to school.
• You CAN bring your own calculator (must be an approved College-Board device). *A calculator is one of the online tools you will have access to on test day.
• You SHOULD bring at least two #2 pencils. Scrap paper will be provided.

Get a good night’s sleep and relax. You got this, we got you!

STUDENT RESOURCES

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• College Board Website: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt
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• Bluebook App: https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/students/download-bluebook
• Log-in to practice the online tools and take a full, digital practice test. The results of this test are not shared with colleges and do not count.
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• Student PSAT Guide: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/psat-nmsqt-student-guide.pdf