Technical glitch disrupts thousands of SAT test takers

In March 2025, a significant technical issue affected the SAT exam administered by the College Board. Over the weekend of March 8-9, more than 268,000 students participated in the test, with reports indicating that over 8,800 international students and 1,200 domestic test takers were directly impacted. This disruption stemmed from an error that caused the automatic submission of some students' tests before their allotted time had expired, resulting in students losing valuable testing moments. In addition to these students, many others across the Americas might have experienced interruptions as their devices prompted reboots to circumvent the glitch. Particularly concerning was the response from one district, the Knoch School District, in the Pittsburgh area. This district took proactive measures, notifying its students and families about the issue through a formal communication. The College Board issued a public apology for the complications that arose, acknowledging the frustration experienced by students and their families as a result of the testing error. They expressed deep regret for any distress caused to the affected individuals, reinforcing their commitment to rectifying the situation. To alleviate the impact of the issue, the College Board has announced several measures for those affected. Students whose tests were submitted prematurely will receive both a refund and a voucher to retake the test at a later date. They have been given the option to either retain their scores or cancel them while being allowed to schedule a makeup exam on March 22. This approach aims to give students flexibility and assurance as they navigate their next steps in the college admission process. Furthermore, the College Board has stated that it will not submit any March 8 test scores unless explicitly requested to do so by the students affected. The College Board has assured that it is communicating with colleges and scholarship organizations to ensure that students who requested their scores from the disrupted test understand the situation. Emphasizing the organization's confidence in the cooperation of higher education institutions, it was stated that flexibility concerning deadlines would likely be granted. Such support may help alleviate the anxiety students face in considering future college applications as they proceed following the technical challenges of the SAT.