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Student Readiness Check

If you're taking a test during a school day, the student readiness check gives you chance to get familiar with the Bluebook testing application, confirm your personal information is correct, and verify your device is ready for testing. Completing exam setup during the readiness check can boost confidence, reduce stress, and allow you to get the most out of what the SAT Suite of Assessments has to offer.

Before testing, we highly encourage you to complete exam setup either during your school's student readiness check or at home with a sign-in ticket if you're a homeschooled student. Ask your test coordinator if your school is conducting a readiness check.

Find out how the readiness check can help you prepare:

Get Familiar with Bluebook

Taking a test preview or full-length practice test in Bluebook lets you get to know the app's helpful testing tools, sample the different types of test questions, and try out the built-in Desmos calculator. You'll confirm that your name, date of birth, and accommodations are correct. If you're approved for assistive technology, you can experience how digital tests work with the technology you use.

Visit How to Use Bluebook Practice Tests for more information.

Check Your Testing Device

If you plan to test on a personal device, you can make sure it will work on test day. Learn how to prepare a personal device.

Learn about the BigFuture School Mobile App and Connections

If you provide your mobile number during exam setup, you can use the free BigFuture School mobile app to get your test scores easily and explore customized college and career guidance right on your phone. If you're taking the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, or PSAT 10, you can opt in to Connections™ to discover nonprofit colleges, scholarship providers, and government agencies offering educational programs that may be a good fit and are looking for students like you. BigFuture School and Connections are only available in the domestic United States to students 13 and older. Your school, district, or state may choose not to provide access to Connections. Connections is not available to students taking PSAT 8/9. Learn more about BigFuture School and Connections.

Connect to Awards

If you're in 10th or 11th grade and take the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, you may be eligible for the College Board Recognition Program, which awards academic honors to high-performing students to help them stand out to colleges and celebrate their hard work. Students of all backgrounds may qualify for one or more award designations: School Recognition Award, First Generation Recognition Award, and Rural and Small Town Recognition Award.

Enter the National Merit Scholarship Program

(PSAT/NMSQT Only)

When you take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit® Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), you'll have the opportunity to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by answering a few questions to determine eligibility. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships administered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Read the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide or visit www.nationalmerit.org for more information.

Select Four Free Score Sends

(SAT School Day Only)

When you take the SAT, you'll have the opportunity to choose up to four colleges, universities, or scholarship programs to receive your scores for free. Review the codes you'll need to provide during exam setup ahead of time at bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges and bring them on test day. (You can send additional scores later online, for a fee. Visit Sending SAT Scores for more information.)

Review and Agree to the Testing Rules

You'll review and be required to agree to the testing rules during exam setup. Review the testing rules ahead of time.

Find Out What to Bring on Test Day

You can see a checklist of what to bring on test day during the readiness check. There are only a few things you need to bring on test day, and a lot of things you'd be better off leaving at home. See the Pages section to preview the lists ahead of the readiness check.

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