Bulk Registration

Bulk registration enables users to submit student registration information for SAT School Day, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 administrations securely and electronically.

Sign in to bulk registration.

For SAT School Day, students don’t need to register themselves online; the Admission Tickets they need to bring on test day are mailed to them directly. (Schools receive duplicates.)

Districts and states can use bulk registration for the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9; once this process is complete, schools will receive pre-identification (pre-ID) labels for student answer sheets in the mail.

Bulk registration saves time by eliminating the need for students to complete this information on test day.

Bulk registration does not replace the process for ordering tests. PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 test books must be ordered through the test ordering site.

Benefits of Bulk Registration

• Improves data accuracy: District- and state-submitted data is often more accurate, which improves the data’s usefulness.
• Reduces billing discrepancies: Contract billing is based on grade level. Using district-submitted data eliminates disputes about students who may not have bubbled in any grade or bubbled in the wrong grade.
• Save time on test day: Bulk registration reduces the time students spend filling out registration information on test day, allowing them to focus on the test.

Who Uses Bulk Registration

Bulk registration is available to districts and states with contracts for the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9, and to a small group of select districts that participate in SAT School Day administrations.

When to Upload Bulk Registration Files

Bulk registration files can typically be uploaded starting approximately 6–8 weeks prior to test day. There is an option to receive labels and Admission Tickets earlier, providing more time for pretest activities, for most administrations. See the exact dates below for each test administration.

Fall 2016 Administrations

Spring 2017 Administrations

Preparing Your Student Registration Data

Step 1: Getting Access

To participate in bulk registration, you’ll need:

• A College Board professional account. Account Help includes info about sign in, passwords, and access codes.
• A bulk registration access code. Access codes are sent by email to designated data uploaders the day bulk registration opens for each test administration.

Step 2: Preparing Files

Your registration file(s) must be in either Microsoft Excel (XLS) or Comma Separated Value (CSV) formats. Please use the templates below — your file’s first row must have the exact same column headers that appear in the template for your file type. If you're registering students for more than one test, you can upload their data in a single registration file.

Use the templates and sample files for proper formatting. Note: If you’re sharing data through Clever, you won’t need to manually prepare a file for upload. Refer to the ‘If Using Clever’ column in the Bulk Registration File Specifications (.pdf/243KB) for details on what data is shared from Clever.

Step 3: Uploading Your Files

Once your file is created, follow the directions for uploading your file in the Bulk Registration tool.

Step 4: Validating Files

Once your file has been uploaded, the system will validate that it is formatted correctly and that all required fields have been provided.

Validation can take up to an hour, but is often completed sooner. Your dashboard will indicate whether the file passed or failed and identify any problematic data. If you need to make corrections, you can upload a full replacement file or edit individual student records. If you need to upload additional registrations, upload an add-on file.

Step 5: Submitting Files

After the file has been validated and data is correct, click Submit. Files that are not submitted will not be processed. 

Next Steps

Before Test Day

Labels for PSAT-related assessments are shipped separately from test materials. Their arrival date depends on when bulk registration files were submitted (see dates above). Labels will be arranged by last name within each grade level, unless the custom sort feature was utilized. Labels should be applied to answer sheets before test day. If your school chose early delivery of answer sheets and supervisor manuals, make sure to wait until you receive your labels before conducting your preadministration session.

Students registered for SAT School Day will receive their Admission Ticket at the mailing address provided in the file. A copy of each Admission Ticket will also be sent to the school.

Students will still need to complete the Student Data Questionnaire (SDQ). As registration opens, a paper version is sent to schools for students to complete. Paper SDQs are then mailed back to the College Board and merged with the student's online account.

On Test Day

For PSAT-related assessments, each test supervisor will need a copy of the bulk registration memo (indicating the student data provided; e.g. last name, first name, date of birth, address) and a bulk registration supervisor manual. The bulk registration memo will be included in the label shipment and the supervisor manual will be included with the answer sheet shipment. Test supervisor should use the memo and the supervisor manual together when administering the test, as they will direct students to skip sections on the answer sheet for data that was already provided via bulk registration.

For SAT School Day administrations, students must bring their Admission Ticket with them on test day.

After Test Day

Score reports will reflect the data provided as part of bulk registration. Student ID numbers, if provided, will appear with student data, as well as in AP Potential.

SAT School Day takers should be reminded that they have nine days after test day to go online and send their four free score reports.

Additional Resources

Fall 2016