March 2025 SAT Glitch

What Happened and How to Know If You Were Affected

On March 8, 2025, a significant technical issue disrupted the administration of the SAT, affecting numerous test centers in the United States and abroad. This unforeseen glitch led to the premature submission of exams, particularly during the Math section, causing considerable concern among test-takers and educators alike.

The Technical Glitch: What Happened?

The root of the problem was a software malfunction within the College Board’s Bluebook application, which delivers the digital SAT. For some test-takers, the application automatically submitted students’ tests at exactly 11:00am, regardless of whether they had completed all sections. This issue predominantly impacted test centers that experienced delayed start times and students with extended time accommodations.

College Board’s Response and Remedies

In the immediate aftermath, the College Board proposed the following solutions for affected students:

• Score Cancellation and Retake: Impacted students would have their March 8 scores cancelled before viewing them in order to opt for a makeup test scheduled for March 22, as long as their test center was available to offer the retake.
• Keep Scores Without Retaking: Students had the option to keep their initial scores but would not have the chance to retest on March 22.

However, this approach faced criticism due to the lack of clarity and the potential disadvantage to students. In response to feedback, the College Board revised its policy on March 13, allowing students the following options:

• Preview Scores Before Cancellation: Affected students will be able to view their March 8 scores before deciding whether to cancel them.
• Mutually Exclusive Scores: Students will have to choose between keeping their March 8 scores or taking the March 22 makeup test. They cannot keep scores from both dates.

Identifying Whether You Were Affected

You were likely not impacted by Saturday’s technical issues if at least one of the following occurred:

• Your SAT proctor had you restart the Bluebook app before you began your test
• You have not received an email from the College Board about problems during the test

You might have suffered Saturday’s glitches, however, if either of these occurred:

• You received an email about issues during your test from the College Board
• You noticed that your time on the March 8 SAT was cut short for any reason

If you suspect you were affected but haven’t received confirmation, contact the College Board’s customer service for clarification or call 1-866-756-7346 or 1-212-713-7789.

Recommendations for Affected Students

If you are a current Mindfish student and received confirmation that your test was impacted:

• Reach Out: Contact us at admin@mindfish.com or 720-204-1041. We’re doing everything we can to stay on top of this issue so we can offer you the best guidance possible.
• Review Scores: Take advantage of the opportunity to preview your March 8 scores before making a decision.
• Consider Retake Options: Evaluate whether retaking the SAT on March 22 aligns with your college application timeline and preparation level.
• Stay Informed: Regularly check official communications from the College Board for updates and further instructions.