Prepare a Personal Device
Follow these instructions to make sure your personal device meets all requirements for the SAT, PSAT 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 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.
At Least 30 Days Before Test Day: Device Check
Make sure your device meets requirements and practice using Bluebook.
- Choose an approved device.
- If you don’t have a device 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.
- Sign in to Bluebook with your College Board account. If you’re taking SAT School Day or a PSAT assessment, you can use a sign-in ticket instead. Your school can give you one.
- Check all test information on your homepage.
- Practice using Bluebook on your testing device and try out any accommodations you’re approved for.
- To make sure you can connect on test day, take your device somewhere other than your school or home and connect to Wi-Fi.
- Make sure all required device settings are applied.
5 Days Before Test Day: Verification and Exam Setup
Verify your personal information and—if you’re taking SAT Weekend—generate your admission ticket.
- Connect to the internet.
- Close and reopen Bluebook to make sure you have the latest version.
- Sign in to Bluebook.
- To avoid issues during check-in, make sure the personal information on your homepage is accurate and matches your ID.
- Check for updated test site information
- If you’re taking SAT Weekend, complete exam setup and generate your admission ticket.
- Follow the instructions in the email we send you 5 days before the test.
- If you’re taking SAT Weekend or AP Exams, memorize your College Board account credentials.
- You can’t test without them, and Bluebook won’t save them.
Test Day Morning: Final Check
To avoid the most common issues that prevent testing, take these steps before leaving for your test center or school.
Connect to the internet.
Close and reopen Bluebook.
Click Test Your Device to make sure your device still has enough free space.
Sign in.
Check your homepage for last-minute messages and updated test site information.
Disable parental controls and content filters and check all other required device settings.
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 Your Device in the Bluebook app?
When you click Test Your Device, Bluebook checks the operating system, memory, and free space. It also identifies some settings that prevent successful testing. You’ll find out if you need to:
Update your operating system.
Clear space.
Use a different device, one with more memory.
However, a few rare but prohibited settings that prevent testing can’t be checked before test day. These are most common in school-managed devices, so if you’re using one to take SAT Weekend it’s especially important to ask for help at school. Complete a form, and we'll ask for you.
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.
What if Windows warns me about Bluebook?
If you launch Bluebook soon after an update is released, you might be interrupted by a message that Windows protected your device. This is normal Windows behavior and does not mean bluebook is unsafe.
Students with a school-managed device should ask for help at school if they experience this issue.
If you see the warning message, click More info > Run anyway to proceed. This is a one-time step.
If you can’t click Run anyway:
- Open the folder containing the downloaded file.
- Right-click the file and select Properties.
- Check Unblock on the General tab.
- Click OK.
- Run the file.
Resources
Link