The Digital PSAT Needs To Be Recircuited

After taking the digital PSAT I can confidently say that College Board needs to go back to their roots and stop trying to include technology into everything. This year College Board implemented their digital PSAT for all students. I took it a few weeks ago and didn’t like the way it went.

A negative about the digital version is not being able to freely write. This may not apply to all, but I am a visual thinker so writing down with a pencil and paper helps me learn and think. With the entire exam being digital it affected my thinking process. It was easier when I was able to annotate, circle and cross things out on my own. While this website allows students to do this it doesn’t have the same effect for me as if it was on paper.

My proctor had issues with the website pushing our test-taking over an hour behind. We didn’t begin until after 9:30 a.m. all due to technological issues. With the exam being digital now this is more likely to occur which wouldn’t happen if it were paper. Why not make it easier for everyone and keep it on paper?

It seems that it wasn’t solely my classroom, or even district, that has had these issues either. In an article by Y! News College Board stated that over a million juniors were taking the PSAT the same day and Mike Goldstein, who runs Goldstein SAT Prep, said issues were expected.

“In its first-ever digital PSAT last week, the College Board, which oversees the PSAT and SAT, ran into a few hiccups. The College Board said, ‘At the beginning of the digital PSAT administration … a surge in traffic on the application used by schools to set up and run administrations caused some schools to delay or be unable to begin testing,” said Goldstein. “‘I was sort of expecting there to be a small number of issues with the PSAT just because the digital test is new for counselors, for schools, and it seems like that’s what came to pass,” although he [Goldstein] expects most of the kinks will be resolved in time for the digital SAT next year.'”

If they knew this would cause such problems, why have it in the first place?

These tests determine a lot and putting a stunt in that because of expected technological issues is frustrating. In my testing room we were told to sit in silence for an hour while we waited for the lady in charge to one and fix the website we were to take the exam on. I don’t know how technology works or what they can do about this maybe not have everyone take it the same day on one website or change the website altogether.

For the most part, the exam should stay paper as, in my opinion, there are more cons than pros, but I do see why some may enjoy the digital version better. Call me old-fashioned, but not everything needs to be digital these days and this new PSAT is no exception.

About the Contributors

Yesenia Rosario, News & Features Editor

Yesenia Rosario is a junior at Robinson and the News & Features Editor of Knight Writers. This is her second year on staff and her first year as an editor. Rosario has a deep fondness for the community that journalism has built for her, leading her to return to the staff for a second year. "What brings me back is the community and the work, it’s very great. It’s very easy but fun at the same time," Rosario said. Although busy with her academics, Rosario manages to find time for hobbies; she especially enjoys baking and being with friends. Rosario also appreciates a wide variety of media, particularly the essence of Jordan Peele's movies. Currently, “Coraline” is ranked as one of her favorite movies due to its more dark and irreverent tone. “It's not that I don't lean over any other genres of movies, it's just that I think that thrillers and creepy movies have you on the edge of your seat more, they could be more interesting," Rosario said. "More can be done with a lesser timeframe, rather than like two-hour movies, and though they're good, they're pretty lengthy, so I think that horror and thriller movies have so much content in a short amount of time." Being a movie and music enthusiast, her favorite section to write is A&E. She often finds herself gravitating towards sections that allow her to editorialize. “I prefer writing album reviews over any other, because it's something I enjoy writing about and giving my opinion on and it gives me a reason to listen to music for fun, rather than having to write lengthy feature stories or any informative story that aren't as fun to write," Rosario said. Rosario hopes that her love for writing will continue to play a role in her future, even after high school. “One of the reasons I like journalism is that you’re able to choose and write about what you’d like and I think that’s pretty cool," Rosario said. Profile by (Jordan De La Cruz)

Cecilia Cheng, Print Managing Editor

Cecilia Cheng is a senior at Robinson and the Print Managing Editor of Knight Writers. This is her third year on staff and her third year as an editor. A self-proclaimed "Swiftie," Cheng is constantly listening to some form of pop music, but her current favorites include Taylor Swift, Clairo and Pheobe Bridgers. When she's not listening to music, Cheng can be found taking photos, hanging out with friends, thrifting or catching up on her favorite TV shows. As of right now, her absolute favorite show is "Heartstopper," but it fluctuates frequently. This love of TV and movies is reflected in her large discography of reviews on the Knight Writers website and former position as the A&E editor for two years. Cheng makes it clear that A&E is her favorite section. Although she is a big fan of A&E, Cheng enjoys writing articles regardless of their section. "My favorite thing about journalism is the storytelling aspect of it," Cheng said. "I love how I’m able to express my opinion and give people that are underrepresented a voice as well." Outside of journalism, Cheng is involved in many other aspects of the Robinson community, holding positions as the Secretary of Women in STEM and the Social Media Manager of Mu Alpha Theta. Despite her connections to the school, Cheng is excited to graduate and see what awaits her. She hopes to head to her top college, Northeastern, where she plans to major in Biology. However, she isn't prepared to forget her time as a Knight Writer and plans to pursue her journalistic interests as well. "Right now, I’m looking to go to college and major in Biology, to go the pre-med track. I haven’t decided where I want to go yet, but I really hope I get into Northeastern. Also, if it’s possible, I want to double major in Journalism or I would join my college’s newspaper." (Profile by Charlotte Stone)

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The Digital PSAT Needs To Be Recircuited

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