SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy
Decide whether your student will complete pre-survey questions
Pre-Survey for SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Exams
Before taking the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day assessment, students see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. Pre-survey questions are part of the PSAT digital readiness check completed prior to test day. Student participation in this pre-survey is not required to take the exam.
Pre-survey questions are designed by the College Board to help connect students with colleges and additional scholarship opportunities. Through Student Search Service, answers to these questions may be shared with nonprofit educational organizations. The College Board strongly recommends that students answer all pre-survey questions, because the answers:
- Guide school counselors and college admission officers in helping you plan your future.
- Help College Board ensure that exams are fair and accurate for all students.
In the case of the SAT pre-survey, provide information to colleges and universities to create a picture of the academic preparation, extra- and cocurricular involvement.
Right to Opt Out
Parents and guardians may opt out of having their students complete the pre-survey portion of the test. When choosing to opt out, it is important to communicate this decision to the student so he or she knows not to answer pre-survey questions.
Opt-Out Process
Parents and guardians who choose to opt-out from pre-survey participation for their students should email the school's assessment coach or identified SAT/PSAT School Day Coordinator. The email must include the student's full legal name and FCPS student ID number.
Opt-out communication must be received by Friday, September 20, 2024.
Previewing Questions
Parents and guardians are invited to preview pre-survey question content within the PSAT and SAT School Day digital readiness check process to aid in their decision on whether to opt out. When choosing to opt out, it is important to communicate this decision to the student so he or she knows not to answer the pre-survey questions shown below.
Digital Readiness Check and Pre-Survey Questions
Steps in the PSAT Digital Readiness Check
Including Pre-Survey Question Content
During the digital readiness check, students complete a quick exam setup. All students must complete exam setup before they can test. The PSAT and SAT School Day digital readiness check includes 9 components that represent instructions, information, and optional pre-survey questions.
- Students confirm that their name and approved accommodations are listed.
- Students read and agree to the testing rules for their exam.
- Students have the option to share their phone number so they can get their scores delivered via a new mobile app called BigFuture School.
- If students provide a phone number, the College Board will text them a link to download the BigFuture School app, send a code they’ll use to sign in, and let them know when their scores are ready. The College Board will not use the phone number for any other reason.
- The BigFuture School app is not available to students under 13 or students testing internationally—those students won’t see this page.
- If students are taking the PSAT/NMSQT, they will answer a few questions to determine their eligibility to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program administered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. These are the same questions that have historically appeared on the PSAT/NMSQT exam.
- Students review the privacy notice.
- Students are asked a series of pre-survey questions about themselves. All questions are optional. Students whose family has opted out of the pre-survey should not answer these questions. Pre-survey questions address:
- Basic contact info (email and address)
- Race and ethnicity; first and best language
- Grade point average (GPA), intended college major, and level of educational aspiration
- Highest education level for their parents/guardians
- If the school, division, and state choose to provide students access to Connections, students can opt in to the Connections program. Connections is a free program that lets them hear directly from nonprofit colleges, scholarship programs, and educational organizations.
- If students opt in to Connections, none of their personal information will be shared with those organizations.
- Connections is not available to students under 13 or students testing internationally—those students won’t see this page.
- If students are taking the SAT School Day, they’ll be able to select 4 institutions to send their scores to for free.
- Students see a checklist, letting them know what to bring on test day.
- Students see a final screen, letting them know their exam setup is complete.
The digital readiness check process and pre-survey questions are copyright of the College Board and are used here with permission.