Since the college board introduced the PSAT, the tests have been held in high schools across the country, where hundreds of students arrive with #2 pencils and calculators. The students sit and listen to proctors explain how to use and fill out scantrons for half an hour, and finally begin the test at 8:30 a.m. 

 For many current seniors, it is hard to imagine taking the PSAT any other way, but for the class of ‘25 and beyond, they are spared this trouble through technology. 

This past fall, the college board wanted to take advantage of digital testing and decided to use this year’s PSAT to transition into online college testing. The college board’s decision proved very helpful for this year’s juniors, as many juniors shared that the PSAT this year was much easier than last year’s. 

“The test was less stressful because the digital PSAT is shorter and they adjust the test questions to your level based on previous answers,” Jacky Qi (‘25) said. 

The digital PSAT is shorter than its paper counterpart, only lasting two hours and 14 minutes instead of pushing three hours. Another advantage to digital testing includes having more time to think through and answer questions, as the built-in calculator and shorter reading passages allow faster responses.  

“I thought it was easier that the PSAT was digital since our generation is more comfortable with charging and using laptops than having #2 pencils and making sure we fill in the right spots,” Jarra Jallow (‘25) said. 

The digital PSAT resulted in extremely positive feedback with Webb students and made many wonder whether the new digital era of college testing is here to stay. Rumors that the SAT will soon shift to online platforms still float around, sparking curiosity about this major change. 

Since the digital PSAT was easier for both students taking the test nationally and those scoring the test, it is likely that the SAT will soon follow its practice test counterpart onto the computer screen. Questions surrounding a digital SAT include those regarding SAT inequality and if the digital version of the test will help close that gap, according to the New Yorker. 

 “Taking the test on a laptop, instead of having to worry about bubbling in answers, felt like it removed a lot of the stereotypes about the test that make the experience feel kind of robotic, or otherworldly.” Eren Orbey said. 

This feedback shows that in general, students found the SAT much easier and more comfortable, especially with the system giving students questions based on the accuracy of their previous responses. This approach considers individual students’ skill level rather than fitting students of different backgrounds and abilities into the same mold––lessening the inequality gap that comes with standardized testing.  

 Although digital testing is still in its early pilot mode stages, it may begin an era that gradually resolves the disadvantages that students face throughout the college process.