Digital Audio Capture (DAC) App Running on iPad and Chromebook

In March 2024, AP coordinators will receive an email with instructions about downloading the Digital Audio Capture (DAC) app for the 2024 AP French, German, Italian, and Spanish Language and Culture Exams and AP Music Theory Exams. Note: As of 2024, the DAC app for iPad supports operating systems 13 and higher —iOS 10, 11 and 12 are no longer supported.

Now Available:AP Digital Audio Capture (DAC) App Overview for Chromebook and the  AP Digital Audio Capture (DAC) App Overview for iPad.These step-by-step guides include:   

  • Instructions on downloading, installing, and using the DAC app   

  • FAQs   

  • Information specific to using the app for practice before the exam   

The DAC app is a special-purpose audio recording app available for the AP French, German, Italian, and Spanish Language and Culture Exams and AP Music Theory Exams. It is for use on Apple iPad tablets and Chromebooks. The iPad tablets and Chromebooks must be school owned and controlled and may be used in a one-to-one computing environment. The DAC app is the only recording program permitted on iPad tablets and Chromebooks; no other recording software may be used on these devices during an AP Exam

  • For Apple iPad tablets, the DAC app can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store. 
  • For Chromebooks, the DAC app can be downloaded free of charge from the Chrome Web Store. 

Schools that choose to use the DAC app to record student responses for the 2024 AP Exam administration must use the 2024 version of the app. Files recorded using previous versions of the DAC app will not be accepted by the DAS portal

If your school is using iPad tablets and downloaded the DAC app for a previous exam administration, you’ll be prompted to update to the 2024 version when you open the DAC app on your iPad tablets. Be sure to complete this update before the 2024 AP Exam administration.  

Using the DAC App 

  • After AP coordinators receive the email in March 2024 announcing that the DAC app is available, download and install the DAC app on iPad or Chromebook models that will be used during the exam administration. 
  • Follow the proctor script for the DAC app in the AP Exam Instructions to use the app to record students' speaking or sight-singing responses on exam day. 
  • The DAC app correctly names students' files and directly uploads them to the Digital Audio Submission (DAS) Portal.
  • The AP coordinator or other authorized staff person logs in to the DAS portal from a computer connected to the internet after the exam administration to submit the files for scoring.


     

  • For Chromebook: The AP Program expects that schools that choose to use the DAC app for Chromebooks:
    • Are already experienced with the operation of Chromebooks.
    • Will work closely with their IT staff to evaluate and confirm that their approach to recording with Chromebooks satisfies the requirements listed below, and in the Digital Audio Capture (DAC) App Overview for Chromebook

Technical Requirements 

  • Previous versions of the DAC app will not work. To use the DAC app for the 2024 AP Exam administration, you must download or update to the latest version when it's available in March.
  • iPad tablets and Chromebooks running the DAC app may be in a one-to-one computing environment, where devices are assigned to specific students and may leave the school. Devices must be school owned and controlled. Student- owned devices may not be used under any circumstances. 
  • All coordinators must have a DAS portal account to obtain the DAC Activation Key. Proctors will need the activation key on exam day so students can unlock the app for testing. Log in to the DAS portal to get your school’s unique DAC Activation Key
  • There must be a Wi-Fi connection in the testing room, in order to upload files directly to the DAS portal. 


     

  • For iPad:
    • The DAC app can be used on iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad Pro running iOS version 13 or higher as the operating system.  
    • Apple iPad tablets (including iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad Pro) must be school owned and controlled. Student-owned devices may not be used under any circumstances. (It’s recommended that backup iPad tablets be available in case of equipment failure.) 
    • The iPad must have a minimum of 20 MB of storage space available for the app. If the iPad has insufficient storage space, a warning message will give instructions on how to remedy the problem. 
  • For Chromebook: 
    • Chromebooks must be school owned and controlled and under management control of Google Workspace for Education. 
    • Chromebooks must be running the latest version of Chrome OS. 
    • Google Workspace for Education must be in place for your school’s domain. 
    • The Chromebook must have a minimum of 20 MB of storage space available for the app. If the Chromebook has insufficient storage space, a warning message will give instructions on how to remedy the problem. 
    • The Chromebook’s Bluetooth, external camera, or built-in webcam must be disabled or inaccessible to the recording application.