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Testing Context and Next Steps

Seattle Academy College Advising closely monitors changes to standardized testing and the college landscape. Please find more guidance for standardized testing below our instructions for 11th graders taking the PSAT.

IMPORTANT: 11TH GRADE PSAT REGISTRATION

General Information about PSAT 11 at SAAS

  • PSAT is not required. Colleges will not see the scores.
  • Around half of each graduating class chooses to take PSAT. The choice is an individual one. 
  • This test is offered only on October 9. There are no make-up dates. 
  • There are other ways to practice testing (see below).

Instructions for Taking PSAT 11 at SAAS

  • If you choose to test, registration is required. Register here by Friday, September 18, at 3 PM.
  • This is a firm deadline. Afterward, we send your information to College Board for processing. 
  • After 3 PM on Friday, September 18, please see below for other practice test opportunities. 
  • If you plan to test with accommodations, please read the instructions and additional information on the SAAS College Board tests webpage. 
  • College Board accommodations are NOT automatically granted, and students must meet the College Board's document requirements and sign a consent form before a request can be made.
  • The deadline to request PSAT accommodations is August 17. 

Before you Take PSAT 11 at SAAS

  • Testers are required to download the app Bluebook to their usual laptop before test day.
  • Doing this allows students to run a “readiness check” and to practice using Bluebook.
  • We strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 11. You cannot run Bluebook on a personal Chromebook or mobile phone. 
  • Testers should not test on a personal Chromebook or on a mobile phone.
  • Other device readiness details are here. 
  • If you downloaded Bluebook some time ago, check that you are running the most recent version and for critical updates. 
  • Completely power down and restart your device the night before the exam.
  • Bring your laptop and your charging cord to the exam. (We will not have extra power cords.)
  • While Bluebook provides the Desmos calculator, consider bringing your own calculator (requirements here). 
  • Students are responsible for what to bring on test day and what to leave at home.
  • Click here if you have questions about how your accommodations work with the exam. 

On the Day of the Test

  • Testers should arrive at the Vanderbilt Building by 8:15 AM, as they would for school. 
  • Standard time testers should expect to finish around 11:30 AM. Find standard timing here and accommodations information here. 
  • We will provide parking information closer to the exam. 

Other Ways to Practice Testing

  • Sometimes students prefer other ways to practice testing.
  • Compass Testing provides free, virtual, at-home practice ACT and SAT exams each Fall. 
    More information is here.
  • Please find other practice test information here.
  • Some students also prep for free through Khan Academy, which is affiliated with the College Board. 

GENERAL: STANDARIZED TESTING CONTEXT AND INFORMATION

Our work requires strategic advice for a wide range of testing profiles and a variety of testing policies. Well before the pandemic, approximately 1000 colleges were already test optional. It is a myth that “everyone” is returning to testing. The reality is more tester- and institution-specific. Our experience is that testers fall into one of three groups and that none of these groups necessarily has an advantage. 

From either the PSAT or an official exam, you may be able to determine whether you should:

  • Keep prepping and testing for additional / future tests 
  • Explore testing further until you determine whether or not testing is for you 
  • Discontinue prepping and testing because your application will emphasize other strengths

Other thoughts about Testing

  • There is not a “one size fits all” recipe for testing.
  • A student with a perfect score may not be admitted to the college of their dreams, while a student who did not submit scores may be admitted to their first-choice college.
  • In this era of test-optional, because generally strong testers submit scores, scores need to be high to be “additive” to an application. 
  • Forever chasing a score has costs. 
  • Sometimes students devote a lot of resources to prep and testing but ultimately not submit scores. 
  • Reach out to College Advising at collegeadvising@seattleacademy.org for a list of test prep providers. 
  • Reach out to Upper School Accommodations to ensure your accommodations are in place with enough time before your first exam. 

Testing Events - see Seattle Academy calendar 

  • September PSAT 101 virtual overview program (all grades)
  • October PSAT 11 and post-PSAT drop-in score review office hours (11th)
  • November Compass free, virtual practice ACT and SAT (10th and 11th)
  • November Guide to Standardized Testing webinar (all grades) - recorded
  • March PSAT 10 and post-PSAT drop-in score review office hours (10th)
  • May AP testing (registration available in Fall)

Next Steps for 11th Graders Curious about Testing

  • Consider taking the official PSAT at SAAS in October (see above).
  • 11th graders curious about taking an official standardized test may want to take one ACT or SAT in the winter of 11th grade.
  • While winter isn’t the only - or even the most popular - time to take a first exam, registration is sometimes easier in December. 
  • Testing at this time may yield official results to bring to your College Advisor and to determine next steps.