PSAT on a School Day
Art credits to Joyce An!
November 12, 2015
The 2015 PSAT was administered during school hours on Wednesday, October 14, taking place on a weekday for the first time since its inception in 1971. This shift in scheduling was only one of several changes for the PSAT, foreshadowing changes to the SAT later this school year.
According to the College Board, the change in test dates was made to accommodate the many requests by students and schools over the years. Weekend testing in previous years meant that students were forced to miss extracurricular activities, including athletic practices and games, creating a negative impact on team performance.
Additionally, weekday testing allows students to take their regular weekday transportation to school, eliminating the need for additional weekend transportation to a potentially unfamiliar test site. The familiar surroundings and staff were also cited as a way to potentially lower test-related stress. However, Saturday testing will be offered again in 2016 in order for schools to see whether this change is truly necessary.
Sophomore Vishaal Kasinath ‘18 admits that the PSATs are “much more convenient now that they are on Wednesdays. It doesn’t just make the school day shorter, but now I can go to practice on Saturday or hang out with friends.” Many students feel similarly that having the PSAT on a weekday helpfully frees up an extra day of the weekend.
Even freshmen find this new change to be much more convenient: Albert Gu ‘19 admitted that “taking a standardized test at Ridge High School with a teacher I know is a lot more reassuring. Even though Ridge is still an unfamiliar place, taking the PSAT here will help me rather than taking it on a weekend and having to go to another school.”
In addition to the new weekday schedule, the College Board also made significant changes to the format and content of this year’s PSAT, reflecting similar changes that will be made to the SAT beginning in the spring of 2016. These format and content changes are the reason that the PSAT is only offered once this fall with one make-up date (as opposed to twice with one make-up, as has occurred in past years).
A final change, coming as extremely welcome news to some students, is the removal of the requirement to write in cursive on an initial exam certification statement. Finally, the source of unnecessary frustration for many test-takers who have long forgotten their elementary school education has now been eliminated.
The new program of having SAT tests on a Wednesday is a radical change for Ridge High school and students. College Board continues to try new things and experiment to accommodate the needs of students throughout the country.
nate crowley • Nov 16, 2015 at 2:30 pm
psat testing during school takes away from students education.
Amy Zhang • Nov 16, 2015 at 2:28 pm
I agree that holding the PSATs on a school day makes it more convenient for students taking the test. Although some instruction time is lost, I believe that it increases the amount of students taking the PSAT and therefore allows students to get a taste of the SAT earlier in their educational career( many freshmen felt compelled to take the test). The cheaper cost also increases participation.
Alex Roberts • Nov 16, 2015 at 2:10 pm
Taking the PSAT and SAT during the school day is more convenient because you can get your regular transportation to school and you don’t have to go somewhere over the weekend that your parents may not be able to take you too
Joseph Brown • Nov 16, 2015 at 2:09 pm
I agree with this comment because holding the PSATs during a school day would definitely restrict the students learning time which is extremely precious. If it was held on a weekend, then the student’s free time would be restricted even more.
Sishir Peyetti • Nov 16, 2015 at 2:06 pm
I agree with you, holding the PSAT’s during the school day restricts the students learning time and takes away from class time which is already precious
humzah ahmed • Nov 16, 2015 at 2:03 pm
I believe while making PSATS on school days is more convieneint it takes away from school time. I would rather have PSATs on the weekend so I do not miss class time.
Jenna Hennessey • Nov 16, 2015 at 2:01 pm
I think that placing the PSAT and future standardized tests on school days is much better considering it does not cut from a students weekend and during the school week they still have school on their mind.
Alex Chen • Nov 16, 2015 at 1:31 pm
I agree, not having to write in cursive anymore while signing the exam certification statement is the best thing ever.
Rachel Breslau • Nov 16, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Standardized testing is not good for kids because a test cannot assess their knowledge and if they do bad on the tests they could feel bad about themselves which would be bad.
Rachel Breslau • Nov 16, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Even though it was convenient to have the PSATs on a school day, I still think all standardized testing is ruining our education.
Aditya Agarwal • Nov 16, 2015 at 1:20 pm
This article supports the views of many Ridge students. Allowing the PSAT’s to be taken on a school day creates a friendlier environment for students, resulting in higher scores. Overall, this is more convenient as well as helpful.
Emma Hale • Nov 16, 2015 at 1:15 pm
As a participant of the 2015 PSAT, I would have to agree with the familiar atmosphere that Ridge High School gives, and say that it is indeed reassuring. However, I disagree with having the PSAT on weekdays; it would only increase the stress levels of students, under the impression of already losing schooltime and future assesments.
Emma Hale • Nov 16, 2015 at 1:12 pm
I think that the PSAT should be during the school day so the other grades dont have to go to school
riley handabaka • Nov 16, 2015 at 1:07 pm
I dont think PSAT during a school day should be apart of the day. students should not have to worry about the SAT during the school day.
Ben R • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:43 pm
I agree that having the PSAT on a weekday is much more convenient for those who take the test, and as a senior it was also nice to be able to come in late to school. However, having the PSAT during the school week reduced class time significantly and put a lot more stress on teachers to get instruction in before the AP tests in May.
Kaitlyn Madden • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:43 pm
I think it is better to take the PSAT on the weekends rather than the school day because once you are done you don’t have to continue working and actually doing things in class. you can just go home and chill out and relax
Lucy Choi • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:43 pm
I agree that the elimination of additional transportation may be beneficial to the school. However, as a student who took the 2015 PSAT, I believe that taking the PSAT during a Saturday is better because takin git on a school day really messed up agendas and schedules.
Emmalee Lafean • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:40 pm
I didn’t take the PSAT but I think that taking any standardized test in your own home school can definitely help in terms of stress levels. Its just like performing competitively in your home stage versus a different school. When you’re asked to do something in a new environment, the amount of pressure and stress sky-rockets.
Sanath Nagaraj • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:34 pm
I really enjoyed the psat being on a school day because it was a much deserved break from
School for seniors. I think that all us seniors really enjoyed having a half day on Wednesday as this time is year is quite busy for us. It was good to catch up on sleep.
Lauren Economy • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:34 pm
I agree that it is beneficial to take standardized tests during the school week, but it also is stressful having to take a big test and then continue the stressful school day. Therefore, I think it would be better to take it on the weekend. I would like to look forward to going home after taking a stressful test.
emma shaw • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:29 pm
I agree, being able to take standardized tests is extremely beneficial because it allows more practice and more experience, which will increase scores ultimately
Avani Sheth • Nov 16, 2015 at 12:24 pm
I really agree with the article’s claim, I believe taking the PSAT on a school day is much more convenient. I am someone who would have to miss sports practice if the test was on a Saturday, and I only have a certain amount of days I can skip per month. Additionally, I believe its easier to take it on a school day when you’re already prepared to think.