With first term coming to an end, it means the yearly PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) is being held! On October 11, Oakdale had its adjusted PSAT day, where students participated in the PSAT test. This test is meant to help students prepare for the SAT during their junior or senior year, which can help them advance in colleges. But, there were some changes and difficulties with the PSAT this year.

The biggest and most noticeable change this year is the previous paper test is now online. Through College Board, a website meant to expand access to higher education, Oakdale and other schools in the county were able to take the test virtually. With 54 English questions and 44 math questions, the PSAT was shorter this year than past years. 

Because of the virtual test, some problems occurred. With over 600 students trying to access the test from Oakdale, along with hundreds of other students across all of the nation, College Board essentially shut down. Teachers were unable to access the testing link to give the code for students to begin testing. Two classes from Oakdale had to postpone the PSAT until the following week, while many other classes from other schools had to do the same. 

Assistant Principal Daniel Grimm shares, “The way college board testing works- you can’t delay 2 rooms and start them later because everyone has to finish at the same time. So eventually it just became too late for people to access it, and there was nothing we could do and we had to move it.” Since there is a time limit for the test, after a certain amount of time of teachers being unable to access it, the test had to be moved for the two classes.

Junior Shane Watson, who was in one of the two classes that had to be moved, states, “When it got moved it meant that on the PSAT day, I sat around and did nothing, but the following week I had to miss academic time and had to make up work for classes.” Moving the test not only impacted students’ schedule on the PSAT day, but it also affected their academic time on the following makeup day.

Once the test makeup day was decided for all students, things went smoothly. Overall, this year’s online test was more efficient than the paper one. Grimm claims, “What’s nice is when you’re done you’re done. In the past, when it was on paper and pencil, we had to collect all the tests, count everything numerous times,and make sure all the things had been returned.” This year, with it being digital, once students were done, everything was already in College Board’s possession, ready to be assessed for scores.

Overall, this year’s PSAT had some negatives, but it also had positive outcomes. The test was shorter and scored more efficiently than previous years, but some issues occurred with allowing students access to the test. Now that testing is finished- students can begin preparing for the SAT in March!