SAT Test Day Checklist for Your Retake

College Board recommends starting device preparation at least 30 days before the test. You can run Bluebook on a Windows or Mac computer, an iPad, or a school-managed Chromebook; personal Chromebooks and phones cannot be used. The device must hold a charge for three to four hours and connect to the test center's Wi-Fi. Minimum operating system versions and free-space requirements are listed on the Approved Devices page and do change, so recheck them even if you are bringing the same laptop as last time.

If you do not have a device that meets requirements, you can request one from College Board for SAT Weekend at least 30 days before test day, or use a school-managed device with help from your school.

College Board publishes required settings for personal devices. Bluebook must be allowed to auto-update, the keyboard input should be set to English (U.S.), and the clock should set the date and time automatically. Parental controls, content filters, and VPNs should be off, and startup apps such as writing assistants and messaging programs should be disabled, because Bluebook must be the only application running. On an iPad, guided access mode must be turned off.

Two more cautions. External keyboards are not permitted with laptops, though tablets may use one, and external mice are allowed. And because Apple usually releases new macOS and iPadOS versions in early fall, College Board advises Mac and iPad users not to upgrade until after the test.

Within the five days before the test, sign in to Bluebook, confirm that the personal information on your homepage matches your ID, check for updated test site information, and complete exam setup. That step generates your admission ticket. College Board prefers a printed ticket, so print it and keep it with your ID. The ticket also shows your arrival time and the test center address.

Memorize your College Board username and password. You need them on test day, and Bluebook will not store them for you. If your name has changed or you registered under a nickname, fix it well in advance; College Board asks for name changes at least 30 days before the test.

College Board's list of what to bring is short. Lay everything out the night before so the morning is only a final check.

Your ID must be an original, unexpired physical document, either government-issued or from the school you currently attend. It must show your full legal name exactly as it appears on your admission ticket and a recent photo that matches you. Worn or damaged documents, temporary IDs, and anything shown on a phone are refused. If you will be 21 or older on test day, only a government-issued photo ID is accepted.

Staff compare your ticket and ID against the roster, and a mismatch can keep you out of the room. Keep your ID with you all day, including during the break, because you may be asked to show it again.

Before you leave, connect to the internet, close and reopen Bluebook, run Test Your Device to confirm there is still enough free space, sign in, and check your homepage for last-minute messages or a changed test site. Turn off parental controls and content filters, and make sure the battery is full.

Arrive by the time on your admission ticket. You cannot be admitted once testing has started, and missing the test means registering again. Phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and other electronics must be put away; staff will collect them or have you store them away from your desk. A device that makes noise or is seen during testing or the break can lead to dismissal and canceled scores.

Once seated, you join the center's Wi-Fi, sign in to Bluebook, and enter the start code your proctor provides. There is one scheduled 10-minute break between the two sections. Leave your device open during it. If your answers fail to submit at the end, they are saved on your device, and you have until the end of the following day to complete the submission.

You already know how the day feels, so use that knowledge. If the room was cold, bring a layer. If you were hungry by the Math section, pack a more substantial snack for the break. If the first module of a section rattled you, plan a reset in advance: one slow breath and a reminder to read each question fully before touching the options.

Set your pacing plan from what your score report and practice showed, not from what felt urgent in the room. Resist grading yourself mid-test; the second module of each section depends on your first-module results, so a tougher second module is not a sign that things are going badly. In the final days, keep studying light. If you use RetakePrep, a pass through its review set of every question you missed is a better use of that time than new material.