Saturday PSAT watch timer problem

tranman123456 · 10-20-2012, 06:25 PM

Hello everyone! I took the PSAT today and I came across a problem. I asked the proctor if I could place my watch on my desk and she said that I couldn't even have it out. I told her that on collegeboard.com it says I am allowed to have a watch as long as it is silent/doesn't make any beeps (which mine is). She then made a big fuss and called someone. After talking to someone (I don't know who) on the phone, she just said that she is going to mark that I "used my own timer" on my PSAT form. She didn't tell me whether or not I could have my watch on my desk, so I just left it on my desk and used it during the test. I have used this timer on the October 6th SAT with no problems. Just curious whether anyone else has run across the same problem and what did you do? I don't want my scores to be invalidated or anything because I am near the National Merit Finalist cutoff.
Note: I have seen plenty of threads on College Confidential where people have said that they used a silent watch. I don't see what's the problem of timing myself on a timed test.

Thanks everyone in advance!!

Here's link to collegeboard: whats allowed

SAT Test Day Checklist - Bring Your Admission Ticket, Calculator, and more

Here's pictures of the watch I used: (I bought off a website that takes out beeping of the watch):

http://imageshack.us/a/img809/3870/p...t2052048pm.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img443/1663/p...t2052101pm.jpg

BuckeyeatHeart · 10-22-2012, 12:14 PM

I find it interesting that the link mentions a watch under the "nice to have" heading, but then states very clearly "timers of any type" under the "what NOT to bring" heading. Just in general, I have never heard of a testing program allowing test candidates to have watches in their possession during the actual test. Maybe College Board allows watches for the SAT program, but they don't for their CLEP exams.

tranman123456 · 10-22-2012, 05:26 PM

That is very interesting! Today, I asked some classmates who were taking the PSAT and they said they also used a watch. So I think Collegeboard allows watches on SAT/PSAT program.