AP CSP Accommodations FAQ
FAQ
What is the Personalized Project Reference and does it require accommodations?
During Section II of the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Exam, students refer to their Personalized Project Reference (PPR) to complete their written responses. Prior to exam day, AP coordinators need to print the PPR, which students submit through the AP Digital Portfolio, for each student taking the exam. The PPR for each student testing must be provided to the proctor along with exam materials on exam day.
Specific guidance applies for students testing with certain accommodations, such as braille, large-print, or assistive technology. This guidance is detailed in the following FAQs.
A student is taking an AP Computer Science Principles Exam at our school. How will the Personalized Project Reference needed be provided?
The AP coordinator will need to print a copy of the student’s Personalized Project Reference (PPR) for the student to use during Section II of the exam.
If a student is approved to use screen magnification software, the PPR may be downloaded onto a computer by the AP coordinator before the exam, which the student can use only during Section II of the exam with their screen magnification software. The computer used for this purpose must be separate from the computer the student will use to test in Bluebook, and must be school-owned and -controlled; a student may not use their own or a family member’s computer. The computer must be disconnected from any networks and the internet. Alternatively, the student can use a printed copy of the PPR, printed at a size large enough to meet the student’s need.
If a student is approved to use screen reader assistive technology with their digital exam, they will need to have a human reader assist them only for reading the PPR during Section II.
An accommodations request needs to be submitted through SSD Online for any student who needs to be assisted by a human reader during Section II of the exam and who does not already have an approval for a human reader on record with the College Board SSD Office.
Any student testing with a human reader will need to be tested in a 1:1 setting for the entire exam, even though the human reader will assist the student only during Section II.
A student is taking a braille AP Computer Science Principles Exam at our school. How will the Personalized Project Reference be provided?
For students taking a braille exam, schools may either braille the Personalized Project Reference (PPR) or the student may receive assistance from a human reader for the printed (not braille) PPR during Section II of the exam.
An accommodations request needs to be submitted through SSD Online for any student who needs to be assisted by a human reader during Section II of the exam and who does not already have an approval for a human reader on record with the College Board SSD Office.
Any student testing with a human reader will need to be tested in a 1:1 setting for the entire exam, even though the human reader will assist the student only during Section II.
As a reminder, in order to take a braille version of a digital exam subject, a student must be approved for a braille paper testing accommodation. Details are in the AP Accommodations Guide.
What is the procedure for a student approved for raised line drawings?
Schools will need to provide the printout of the Personalized Project Reference (PPR) for students. The student will need a human reader only during Section II to assist them in reading the printed PPR.
An accommodations request needs to be submitted through SSD Online for any student who needs to be assisted by a human reader during Section II of the exam and who does not already have an approval for a human reader on record with the College Board SSD Office.
Any student testing with a human reader will need to be tested in a 1:1 setting for the entire exam, even though the human reader will assist the student only during Section II.
Is there specific criteria for a human reader assisting a student during Section II of the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?
A human reader must be familiar with the signs, symbols, terms, or words that are specific to the exam content. Review the AP Accommodations Guide (available in the AP Coordinator Resource Library) for complete reader eligibility criteria.
A student is taking a large-print AP Computer Science Principles Exam at our school. How will the Personalized Project Reference be provided?
Schools will need to print the Personalized Project Reference (PPR) at the appropriate size for students taking a large-print AP Computer Science Principles Exam.
If a student is approved to use screen magnification software:
- The PPR may be downloaded onto a computer by the AP coordinator before the exam, which the student can use only during Section II of the exam with their screen magnification software. The computer used for this purpose must be school-owned and -controlled; a student may not use their own or a family member’s computer. The computer must be disconnected from any networks and the internet.
OR
- Provide the student with a printed copy of the PPR, printed at a size large enough to meet the student’s need.
Reminder: A student may use screen magnification software only if they’ve been approved for this specific accommodation by the College Board SSD Office.
What types of extended time are applicable to Section II: Written Response of the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?
Extended time for reading, writing, and mathematical calculations are applicable to Section II: Written Response of the AP Computer Science Principles Exam. Details about extended time for this exam are in the extended time table for AP CSP in the AP Accommodations Guide.