March SAT Testing Disruption: What Students Need to Know

On the weekend of March 8-9, the SAT experienced a significant technical glitch that impacted thousands of students across the United States and internationally. At Get Smarter Prep, we want to break down exactly what happened and what steps College Board is taking to support affected students.

The Technical Issue

During the SAT test, a security setting error in College Board’s Bluebook digital testing app caused some students’ tests to be automatically submitted before they could complete their exam. The scale of the disruption was substantial:

• Over 268,000 students participated in the March SAT
• 8,855 international students (12.8%) were impacted
• 1,231 domestic students (0.6%) experienced the auto-submit error
• Several thousand additional students had testing time interrupted due to device reboots

College Board’s Response

In response to this significant testing disruption, College Board has outlined a comprehensive support plan for affected students:

Compensation and Options

• Full refund of March 8 registration fees
• Free voucher for a future SAT administration
• Option to either:
  1. Keep existing March 8 test scores
  2. Cancel scores and take a makeup exam on March 22 (if available in their area)

Score Transparency

• Affected students received a score preview on March 14
• This preview will help students decide whether to keep or cancel their scores

Additional Support

• No automatic score reporting to colleges
• Students can choose when and if they want to release their scores
• College Board is communicating with higher education institutions to ensure flexibility

What Students Should Do

1. Check if you were affected by the technical issue
2. Review your score preview on March 14
3. Decide whether to keep or cancel your scores
4. Contact College Board customer service if you have specific concerns

Our Perspective

While technical issues are frustrating, College Board’s response demonstrates a commitment to student support. They’ve taken steps to minimize the impact on students’ college application processes. However, the SAT has gone through numerous ups and downs throughout the past 10 years, which is one of the reasons we recommend students prepare for the ACT as this test has been more consistent.

At Get Smarter Prep, we recommend:

• Carefully reviewing your score preview
• Consulting with your school counselor
• Considering a makeup exam if you feel the technical issue significantly impacted your performance

Remember, one test does not define your academic potential. Stay calm, be strategic, and focus on your overall college preparation. Contact our tutors if you need help reaching your goals.