If you are taking a digital SAT this fall, it is very important not to upgrade your Mac to the newest macOS right before test day. The testing app, Bluebook, only works on specific versions of macOS. If your Mac is too old, the app will not install. If you upgrade too soon, the new version may not be fully tested and could cause problems during the exam.
This is not just me being cautious: the College Board itself says “to avoid technical issues on test day, we recommend deferring upgrades.”
What You Should Do
- Do not install the new macOS that Apple releases in early fall until after your test.
- Turn off automatic updates so your Mac does not update by itself.
How to Turn Off Automatic Updates
- Open System Settings (press the apple icon in the upper left of the screen)
- Go to General > Software Update.
- Select Automatic Updates and turn them Off.
How to Remember to Turn Them Back On
Once your test is done, you should turn automatic updates back on for security reasons. An easy way to remember is to ask Siri. Say:
“Hey Siri, remind me on October 5 to turn automatic updates back on”
This way, you will get a reminder at the right time and your Mac will stay secure once you’re done with testing.