SAT Device Lending
College Board is committed to helping students take the SAT, regardless of access to a device.
You can take the SAT with any personal or school-managed Windows laptop or tablet, personal or school-managed Mac laptop or iPad, or school-managed Chromebook (personal Chromebooks aren't permitted). If you don't have a device, we recommend you borrow one from your school, a family member, or a friend so you can download the testing application and get familiar with the device. Check out SAT Device Readiness to see if your device will work. If you don't have access to a device and cannot borrow one from your school or a family member, College Board may be able to lend you a device to use on test day.
As noted under Borrowing a College Board Device below, If you're approved for a loaned device, you'll need to arrive 30 minutes early at the center to complete exam setup. Also, submitting a request does not guarantee that College Board will provide you with a loaned testing device.
Borrowing a College Board Device
If you don't have access to a device and cannot borrow one from your school or a family member, College Board may be able to lend you a device to use on test day. To request a device, you must first register for the SAT.
During the SAT registration process:
- Select a test date that is at least 30 days before test day. This will allow enough time for the device to be shipped by test day.
- Select I don't know if I have access to the necessary device when asked to choose the device you intend to use on test day. If you complete the registration without selecting this option, you will need to contact us for assistance.
After you register for the SAT, the option to select Request a device will appear as part of your registration information on My SAT, which will link to a brief questionnaire that asks for an adult reference (like a teacher, counselor, or adviser). Remember to complete your request at least 30 days before your test day. Submitting a request does not guarantee that College Board will provide you with a loaned testing device.
Important: If you don't see the option to Request a device on your registration card, send us a message. You can also call us at 866-756-7346 (U.S.) or +1-212-713-7789 (international).
If approved, we will make a device available to you at your test center on test day. You will need to arrive 30 minutes early on test day to sign in and complete exam setup. You'll get an admission ticket once this exam setup is complete.
FAQ
How do students request to borrow a device?
During the SAT registration process, students must indicate which type of device they intend to use. If they need to borrow a device, they must choose I don't know if I have access to the necessary device. After the student completes the registration, the Request a device option will appear as part of their registration information in My SAT, which will link to a brief questionnaire that asks for an adult reference (like a counselor, sponsor, school administrator, or teacher).
If they don't see the Request a device option on My SAT, they'll need to contact us for assistance.
How far in advance should I register if I need to borrow a device?
Students who need to borrowing a device from College Board can request one during registration or later, as long as they submit their device request at least 30 days in advance of test day to allow for adequate shipping time. If they don’t meet that deadline, they can register for a later test date or borrow a device from their school, a friend, or family member.
Please note if a student changes their test center within 30 days of the test date, we may not be able to support sending a loaned device to the new location.
Who is eligible to borrow a device?
College Board is lending devices to support students taking the SAT.
Any student who doesn’t have a device they can use to take the test and won’t be able to borrow one from their school, a friend, or family member to use on test day may request to borrow a device from College Board.
Why are you requiring a counselor or other sponsor to verify eligibility to borrow a device?
We may need additional information to verify a student's eligibility. For international students who are already working with one of College Board's international programs, and for students who have fee waivers, we're expediting this process.
How are you shipping devices around the world?
Devices will be shipped directly to test centers for students to use on test day. Shipping depends on what works best for each geography, including shipping from local warehouses, shipping from the U.S., and even using devices supplied by the test center.
Who can verify eligibility on a student's behalf?
Any adult that isn't a family member can verify eligibility—this could be a counselor, sponsor, teacher, school administrator, or an employee of a college access program the student is working with.
How will students receive their device?
We will ship devices in advance of test day to test centers. Students will receive their device when they arrive at the test center. If approved to borrow a device from College Board, students will need to arrive 30 minutes early on test day to sign in and complete exam setup. Students will get an admission ticket once this exam setup is complete.
What kind of device will students receive?
In most circumstances, we'll be providing students with managed Chromebooks in new or like-new condition. In certain geographies, students may receive a different model of laptop or tablet.
How do students set up their borrowed device?
Devices will arrive at the test center already configured for taking the SAT. When students arrive at the test center and receive their device, they'll be instructed to log in to the Bluebook™ testing app and complete the exam setup process. Students will need to arrive 30 minutes early on test day to log in and set up their test. They'll get an admission ticket once this exam setup is complete.
How can students who borrow a device practice for the SAT?
Students can practice on any device where they can download the Bluebook™ app, including school computer labs and public computers. Students will need to be connected to Wi-Fi to download the practice tests and resources, but like the test itself, they won't need to be connected the entire time.
Official SAT Prep on Khan Academy® is available any device that connects to the internet through a browser, including mobile phones.
Will using a borrowed device put students at a disadvantage compared to their peers who are using more high-end devices?
No. Our Bluebook™ testing app is designed so that no student will have an advantage based on the type of device they use.
The app functions the same regardless of which type of device students choose to use. We have also completed multiple comparability studies that show there is no difference in scores based on the type or age of device used.