SAT · Question-type guide 10 · 4 min read
SAT test day and Bluebook tips
How to prepare your device and the Bluebook app before the digital SAT, what to bring on test day, and how to use Bluebook's tools well.
Why test-day preparation matters
On the digital SAT, a few practical details matter as much as your preparation: a charged device, an up-to-date app, and familiarity with the tools on screen. None of these earn points directly, but any of them can cost you points or even your test session if you leave them to the last minute.
The rules on devices, identification and what you may bring are set by the College Board and can change. Treat this page as a checklist to prepare with, and confirm every detail on satsuite.collegeboard.org before your test date.
In the weeks before
Install Bluebook early. Bluebook is the College Board's testing app. Install it on the device you will use on test day, whether your own laptop or tablet, or a school-managed device. If you do not have a suitable device, find out early how to request one to borrow; there is usually a deadline.
Take an official practice test in Bluebook. The full-length practice tests in the app use the same interface and adaptive design as the real test. Take at least one in a single sitting, with the break, on the same device you will use on the day.
Learn the tools so that you do not waste time finding them:
- the question navigator, showing answered, unanswered and marked questions;
- mark for review;
- the answer eliminator, to cross out choices;
- highlights and notes in Reading and Writing;
- the Desmos calculator and the reference sheet in Math;
- the timer, which you can hide and show.
In the days before
- Complete exam setup in Bluebook before test day. The app will check your device and generate your admission ticket. You need to complete this step yourself; the deadline and process are explained in the app.
- Update the app and the operating system if prompted, well before test day rather than on the morning itself.
- Check where and when you need to arrive, using your admission ticket and registration details.
- Plan your route and allow extra time.
What to bring
Confirm the current list on the official site. In general, you will need:
| Bring | Notes |
|---|---|
| Your testing device, fully charged | With Bluebook installed and exam setup complete |
| A power cord or charger | Access to power is not always guaranteed |
| Your admission ticket | Available after exam setup; follow official instructions on whether to print it |
| Acceptable photo identification | Check which forms are accepted |
| Pencils or pens | Scratch paper is provided at the test center |
| An approved calculator (optional) | Desmos is built in, but you may bring your own from the approved list |
| A snack and water | For the break |
Phones and other electronic devices are normally collected or must be switched off and stored away during testing. Follow the staff's instructions.
On the day
- Eat breakfast and arrive in good time. Rushing in at the last minute raises stress before you start.
- Bring your device charged to full, even if you have a charger.
- Listen to the staff. They will give you a code to start the test in Bluebook.
- Do not close the app or switch to other programs during the test.
If something goes wrong with your device during the test, raise your hand. Bluebook is designed to save your work as you go, and staff can help you resume. Do not try to fix the problem yourself by restarting the device without guidance.
Using Bluebook well during the test
Reading and Writing. Use the eliminator to cross out wrong choices; it keeps your thinking visible on screen. Use highlights sparingly; with short passages, they are most useful for marking contrast words or key limits in a claim.
Math. Keep Desmos open where it helps, but do not use it out of habit for simple arithmetic. Check each student-produced response in the answer preview before moving on.
Both sections. Mark questions you want to revisit, but always enter an answer first. Watch for the end-of-module warning and fill any blanks.
After the test
Scores for the digital SAT are released through your College Board account. Release timings vary by test date and are listed on the official site. You can also choose which colleges and scholarship programs receive your scores; check the current options and deadlines on collegeboard.org.
Exam tip: the night before, put your charged device, charger, ID, admission ticket, pencils, calculator, snack and water in one bag by the door. A calm morning is worth more than an extra hour of last-minute study.
Check yourself
- What must you complete in Bluebook before test day to receive your admission ticket?
- Why should you take a practice test in Bluebook on the same device you will use for the real test?
- What should you do if your device has a problem during the test?
- Where should you confirm the current rules on identification and permitted items?
Find practice material and the rest of this series on the SAT hub.