Recently, starting in the fall of 2023, the College Board has made it so PSAT testing is available to be taken online.
The reason for this is because the digital version of the PSAT/NMSQT “will be easier to take, more secure, and more relevant” according to College Board. Controversy about the online PSAT extends to within RV as students and teachers have different opinions about the fact that the test was given online for the first time during the 2023-2024 school year.
As the PSAT is being made online, multiple changes are being made to it. The digital test is being made shorter than the paper and pencil version; lasting two hours and 14 minutes instead of three hours. In addition, the digital version measures more of your skill and knowledge instead of test-taking speed because students get more time on average to answer questions. For functionality and convenience of questions, reading passages are shorter and the online test is able to provide a digital calculator all throughout the math section.
“One of the [changes to the digital PSAT] is Bluebook,” said Mr. Thomas Simonet, the Assistant Principal for Technology & Innovation. “It is now an online application that students are testing for, so all of our computers needed to be be updated to the most recent operating system in order for them to accommodate for the new testing procedures for PSAT.”
However, many teachers pointed to frustration with the new online format.
“It was a little frustrating,” said Mrs. Jeanne Garvey, an English teacher. “I felt like the technology wasn’t ready or as fine-tuned as it could have been, so that was really something on the college boards end. I also was not thrilled about having to take class time to set it up because I felt like it took way longer than we were led to believe it would.”
When asking teachers and students about their opinions on the PSATs converting to a digital test, they conveyed varying answers that focused on the advantages and disadvantages.
“I am torn between both [the online and paper version],” said Mr. Simonet. “I like when students write their stuff out but for grading purposes, getting the results back quicker, and analyzing the results better, I think online is the best way to go.”
Other teachers and students pointed to digital testing as in-line with the direction of all standardized tests, including things like the Advanced Placement exams and the SATs.
“I think online makes sense,” said Mrs. Garvey. “I feel like all of the standardized tests are going in that direction. Since we have the devices, I think [digital tests are] going to be mandatory at some point, so we might as well start getting used to it. That being said, if I was a student taking it online, I don’t know how much I would like it. I like to write and annotate on things, and I understand the practicality of doing it online, but I’m not sure I would do my best work if it was strictly online.”
Olivia Dragan, a sophomore at RV, stated, “I would say that I don’t like it because I’ve always struggled with reading things on screens, especially with how bright the lights are. Even dimming doesn’t help, so I would say it’s definitely a downgrade for me but I know it can be helpful for some people.”
While the introduction of an online PSAT benefits the practicality of the test in that results are given back quicker, the test is easier overall, and grading is more accurate, teachers and students both expressed the inconvenience of the set up process and how the online version can harm an individual more than help them due to their individual preferences and requirements for test taking.
