The March 8-9 Weekend SAT® Glitch: How Will the College Board Prevent Future Snags?

During the March 8th SAT® administration, a significant timing glitch occurred that affected numerous test takers. This major issue, caused by an unexpected software malfunction in the Bluebook app, led to premature test submissions. 

The SAT® glitch disrupted the typical flow of the exam, creating confusion, outrage, and concern among the test takers impacted. Many students were unable to complete sections of the test before the automatic submission occurred, which will undoubtedly affect their scores and, quite possibly, their college application prospects.

What’s the College Board’s Response?

The College Board acknowledged the problem as unacceptable and has since claimed to have taken steps to address the concerns of the affected students. They have offered to remedy the incident by offering affected test takers options such as score cancellation and a free SAT® retake. Importantly, they're providing a "score preview" feature, allowing impacted students to see their March 8th test scores before deciding whether to cancel and/or retake the test.

What to Do if Your Clients Have Been Impacted By the March 8th SAT® Glitch

To best support your students who’ve been affected by the SAT® software malfunction, advise them to:

  • Check their eligibility for the score preview and retake options if they were affected by the glitch.

  • Maintain their test prep plan, as some students may choose or need to retake the test.

  • Stay informed about updates from the College Board to relay accurate information to your students and their parents.

Is the Digital SAT® Students’ Only Option?

No. The College Board’s digital SAT® may be the latest and most popular version, but it’s not the only option. If March 8th’s digital SAT® software glitch has spooked some of your more anxious test takers, test accommodations can be requested so students can test using the paper-and-pencil version. 

Looking Ahead 

The College Board appears committed to improving the reliability of its digital testing platform to prevent future disruptions like this one. As educators, it’s important that we stay updated on these improvements and potential hiccups, which can help us better prepare our students for what to expect on their next digital SAT® day.

For more detailed information on the March 8th SAT® software malfunction, you can refer to the College Board’s official report and response.

Stay Ahead in Test Prep

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We provide a full range of ACT® and SAT® prep materials, available in both digital and paper-and-pencil formats, equipping you and your tutors with the tools they need to deliver tailored instruction to help your students reach their full academic potential.

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Matt McCorkleCollege Board Press Release, college board, SAT® software malfunction, SAT® software, test submissions, SAT®, Digital SAT®, Test Accommodations, Retake SAT®, SAT® Scores