View the End of Year testing schedule here.

_{Revised 3/15/2024.}

Digital PSAT/ NMSQT - Wednesday, October 11, 2023

On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, tenth and eleventh grade students will be taking the Digital Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) exam. 

Digital PSAT Day Schedule

All FCPS high schools will operate on a two-hour early release schedule. High school academy courses and all high school shuttles will be canceled on this day. 

Planning for the PSAT - What to Bring

Required Materials

Students must bring the following materials with them on the day of the exam, which are required to take the assessment. 

• Student ID – a method of identification including a picture. Examples include:
  •  
    • School Picture ID- your school ID (this year or last year’s) is acceptable
    • Driver’s License with Picture
    • Passport
• Your fully-charged FCPS Chromebook/ laptop with charger – this should be the device you used to complete your Digital Readiness check in Advisory during the end of September.
• Writing utensils – even though the test is digital, you will be given scratch paper should you want to work out any problems.

General logistics of note:

October 11 is a 2-hour early release day for high schools and secondary schools.  PSAT/NMSQT administration begins in the morning, according to regular school start times.   High school academy courses are not held on October 11; high school academy staff support base school activities, and all high school shuttles are canceled on this date. Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase. 

More information regarding the PSAT/ NMSQT can be found in the PSAT/ NMSQT Guide.

Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria before the test like on standard school days.

Once you are dismissed, grab and go lunch will be available for purchase and busses will be running all normal routes at 12:55 PM.

Please make sure you are in your test room no later than 8:10 AM on Wednesday, October 11.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mrs. Trieu at @email or at 703-219-2216.

PSAT Pre-Survey

Prior to test day, students will complete a PSAT digital readiness check during an advisory lesson at school. During the PSAT digital readiness check, students will see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. You may opt out of this pre-survey for your student. Additional information about the content of the PSAT pre-survey and how to opt out can be found on the SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/node/36639. 

If you choose to opt your student out of the pre-survey, please notify Ashley Stanger (@email) by Friday, September 22, 2023, and include your student’s full legal name and FCPS ID number in the email. Please be sure to talk to your student about your opt out choice so your student knows they should not answer the survey questions during the PSAT digital readiness check.

Transportation

FCPS transportation is available for all students participating in the PSAT/NMSQT. Regular bus routes will be provided in the morning and after the early release.  Families of students requiring alternate transportation arrangements due to accommodated testing will be contacted directly by the PSAT School Day Coordinator.

Schedule and Logistics for Exam Day

FCPS Leadership approved Wednesday, October 11 as an “unscheduled day” for most students who are not participating in PSAT or SAT assessments or specific services.

Students receiving low incidence special education services receive a normal instructional program if not participating in the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day. Grade 9 students do not attend school this day.  Grade 10-11 students take the PSAT/NMSQT, with limited exceptions. Grade 12 students are encouraged to participate in the SAT School Day; those choosing not to take the SAT do not attend school this day.

Prohibited Materials

Students are prohibited to use the following materials in the testing room and during breaks.

Use of electronic devices is prohibited from the time the student is admitted to the building until they are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times. Specifically:

• Students may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
• All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight.

Permitted Materials

Students are permitted to bring the following materials. 

Approved calculator - The digital testing platform has a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, so you do not need to bring a hand-held calculator. However, you may bring one if you wish. Further details regarding approved calculators can be found here.  Food/water - May be taken into the exam room but must remain underneath the desk while the exam is underway and may be accessed outside of the testing room only during breaks, unless a specific accommodation allows otherwise.

Please arrive at Fairfax High School between 7:50 and 8:00 AM (normal school arrival time).  Busses will be running their normal morning routes.

Room Assignments will be sent directly to seniors the week of October 9th via their @FCPSschools.net email accounts.

Planning for SAT School Day - What to Bring

Required Materials

Students must bring the following materials with them on the day of the exam, which are required to take the assessment. 

• Student ID – a method of identification including a picture. Examples include:
  •  
    • School Picture ID- your school ID (this year or last year’s) is acceptable
    • Driver’s License with Picture
    • Passport
• You do NOT need a testing ticket for this test.
• No. 2 pencils- do NOT bring mechanical pencils or pens – pencils will NOT be available on Test day.
• Emergency contact information - this is simply a piece of paper with your name and a contact phone number in case of emergency (since many of us don’t have phone numbers memorized in this technological era anymore)

Permitted Materials

Students are permitted to bring the following materials. 

• Hand sanitizers and/or wipes - May be taken into the exam room but must remain underneath the desk while the exam is underway.
• Approved calculator - Schools will not provide calculators on the day of testing. Further details regarding approved calculators can be found here.     .
• Food/water - May be taken into the exam room but must remain underneath the desk while the exam is underway and may be accessed outside of the testing room only during breaks, unless a specific accommodation allows otherwise.

Prohibited Materials

Students are prohibited to use the following materials in the testing room and during breaks.

• Use of electronic devices is prohibited from the time the student is admitted to the building until they are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times. Specifically:
  • Students may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
  • All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight.

Testing Room Assignments

Students should receive their testing room assignment via email no later than Monday, October 9.

More information regarding the SAT School Day can be found in the SAT School Day Student Guide. Hard copies of this document are available in the Student Services office.

Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria before the test. Once you are dismissed, grab and go lunch will be available for purchase and busses will be running all normal routes at 12:45 PM.

Please make sure you are in your test room no later than 8:10 AM on Wednesday, October 11.

If you have any further questions, please contact Mrs. Trieu at @email or at 703-219-2216.

Transportation

FCPS transportation is available for all students participating in SAT School Day. Regular bus routes will be provided in the morning and after the early release. Families of students requiring alternate transportation arrangements due to accommodated testing will be contacted directly by the SAT School Day Coordinator. If you know your student will need alternate transportation requirements due to accommodated testing, please reach out to Leslie Trieu, SAT School Day Coordinator, as soon as possible.

SAT School Day Pre-Survey

At the beginning of the exam session, students see a voluntary pre-survey that asks questions about a variety of topics. You may opt out of this pre-survey for your student. You may view the pre-survey questions and access further information about this option on the SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/node/36639.  

If you choose to opt your student out of the pre-survey, please notify Leslie Trieu, FHS SAT School day Coordinator, by Friday, October 6, 2023, and include your student’s full legal name and FCPS ID number in the email. Please be sure your student knows they should not answer the pre-survey questions at the beginning of the test.

Information will be posted near ACT time.