SAT and PSAT Pre-Survey Opt-Out Policy

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. 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 communication must be received by school staff Friday, September 20, 2024.

Digital Readiness Check and Pre-Survey 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.

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. Steps 3, 6, and 7 represent pre-survey content.

1. Students confirm that their name and approved accommodations are listed. 
2. Students read and agree to the testing rules for their exam. 
3. 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. 
4. 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. 
5. Students review the privacy notice. 
6. 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
7. 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.
8. If students are taking the SAT School Day, they’ll be able to select 4 institutions to send their scores to for free.
9. Students see a checklist, letting them know what to bring on test day.  
10. 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.