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Prepare a Personal Device

Follow these instructions to make sure your personal device meets all requirements for the SAT, PSAT-related assessments, and digital AP Exams. Start at least 30 days before test day in case your first choice doesn’t meet requirements.

Personal Device Policies

You can’t test on a personal Chromebook or a phone.
SAT Weekend: You can use your own device or a school-managed device.
AP Exams, SAT School Day, or PSAT-related assessments: If you’re testing at the school you attend, your school will let you know if personal devices are an option. If you’re testing at a test center or a school you don’t attend, you can use your own device or a school-managed device.

30 Days Before Test Day: Device Check

If you have any problems, refer to the FAQs below for troubleshooting tips.

Choose an approved device.

If you’re unsure whether your device meets requirements, try the following steps anyways and Bluebook will check most specifications for you.
If you don’t have a Windows device, Mac laptop, or iPad that meets requirements, use a school-managed device or request a College Board device for SAT Weekend at least 30 days before test day.

Download Bluebook.

If someone else had to download Bluebook for you, you’re not the device administrator, which could cause problems on test day. Find out what to do.

Open Bluebook.
Click Test Your Device and follow the instructions to fix any problems.
SAT Weekend and AP Exams only:

Sign in to Bluebook with your College Board account.
Check all test information on your homepage.
Make sure you know your College Board account credentials; Bluebook won’t save them.

SAT School Day and PSAT-related assessments only:

Your school will give you a sign-in ticket to sign in to Bluebook; you don’t need a College Board account to take the test.
Ask your school about next steps for student readiness.

Practice using Bluebook on your testing device and try out any accommodations you’re approved for.
Take your device somewhere out of range of your school or home network and connect to Wi-Fi.
Check your device to make sure all required settings are applied.

5 Days Before Test Day: Device Prep

Connect to the internet.
Open Bluebook. It may need to perform an update.
Click Test Your Device again to make sure your device still passes all checks.
Check your device again to make sure all required settings are still applied.
If you haven’t already, follow the instructions above for your test.
SAT Weekend only: Complete exam setup. Follow the instructions in the email we send you 5 days before the test.
Charge your battery.

FAQ

What if someone else had to download Bluebook for me?

If someone else had to download Bluebook for you, they are the device administrator. They’ll need to make sure Bluebook isn’t prevented from auto-updating when you use the device and apply all other required settings.

If your school gave you the device, follow the instructions for preparing a school-managed Chromebook or a school-managed Windows or Apple device.

What happens when I click Test My Device in the Bluebook app?

When you click Test My Device, Bluebook checks the operating system, memory, and free space, and it identifies some settings that prevent successful testing.

You might need to update your operating system, clear space, turn off the content filter, or disable your virtual private network (VPN). If the device is managed by your school, you’ll probably need their help. If the device doesn’t have enough memory, you can’t test on it. Try another device or request a device for SAT Weekend from College Board.

What if I can’t open Bluebook?

If you can’t open Bluebook, you might need to disable your content filter or virtual private network (VPN). Content filters and VPNs can interfere with your internet connection and can also prevent you from signing in to your College Board account, taking practice tests, and starting exams on test day.

What if I can’t connect to Wi-Fi when I’m not at home or school?

You might need to adjust settings that prevent your device from connecting to unknown networks.

What are the required settings for personal devices?

If you’re taking a Bluebook test on a personal device, check its settings.

Enable these settings:

Auto-update: Make sure Bluebook isn’t prevented from auto-updating when you’re using the device.
Language setting: Make sure your keyboard input layout is set to English (U.S.).
Clock: Make sure your device sets date and time automatically.

Disable these settings:

Parental controls: Turn off screen time limitations and other controls that could interfere with testing.
Content filters
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Startup apps: Disable or turn off writing assistants (such as Grammarly), messaging apps, and other software that opens on startup. Bluebook must be the only application running during the test.
Guided access mode: If you’re using an iPad, make sure guided access mode is turned off.