Types of Digital Accommodations – AP Central

Many accommodations work the same way for digital exams as they do for paper exams. For example, students who are approved for extended time will receive a digital exam format enabled with their approved amount of extended time.
Some accommodations differ for digital testing because of features available in the digital exam application. For example, students approved for large-print test books won’t need separate exam materials. They can take the digital exam with an increased font size by zooming in as needed. All students have access to the zoom function in the exam application.
If a student has been approved for an accommodation that’s applicable to paper testing, they don’t have to request a new accommodation to use the digital alternative. For example, a student approved for a human reader doesn’t require additional/new approvals to test using a screen reader with a digital exam.

Approved Accommodation	2021 Digital AP Exam Details
Extended Time
Extended Time	Students will receive their approved amount of extended time within the digital exam. Note: See details about which types of extended time apply to which exam subjects
Breaks
Breaks as Needed	Students will receive an exam form that allows them to pause their exam to take breaks as needed. See the AP Digital Testing Guide for updated information about how students take breaks during a digital exam.
Extended Breaks	Students will receive an exam form that allows them to pause their exam to take a break that is twice the length of the regularly scheduled break between Section I and Section II.
Extra Breaks	Students will receive an exam form that allows them to pause their exam to take 5 minute breaks between the portions of the exam that do not already have scheduled breaks. See the AP Digital Testing Guide for updated information about how students take breaks during a digital exam.
Extra and Extended Breaks	Students will receive an exam form that allows them to pause their exam to take breaks that are twice the time of regularly scheduled and extra breaks. See the AP Digital Testing Guide for updated information about how students take breaks during a digital exam.
Braille
Braille Exam Materials	A braille accommodation is supported through paper and pencil exams (as usual) or through digital alternatives. Braille paper exams are available for all subjects during Administration 1 and for some subjects during Administration 2 and Administration 3. See details. Students who are approved for a braille accommodation and are taking a digital exam during Administration 2 or 3 will be able to take the exam using a refreshable braille display or screen reader or have assistance from a human reader.
Raised Line Drawings (formerly “braille graphs and figures”)	Students may: Test using the braille paper exam during Administration 1 (or a later exam administration, if the subject is available as a paper exam). OR Test using the digital exam during Administration 2 or Administration 3, using a screen reader. Note: Raised line drawing supplements are not available with digital exams.
Braille Writer	For a digital exam, braille writing software should be used. If a student uses a manual braille writer and/or does not have access to braille writing software, they can test using a paper exam during Administration 1 or a later exam administration if available using the braille writer; or test during the digital administration using voice recognition (speech-to-text) software; or they can dictate their responses to a writer/scribe. See the AP Digital Testing Guide for updated instructions about assistive technology, including voice recognition software.
Large-Print, Magnification, Color
Large-Print Exam Large-Print Answer Sheet Record answers in test book Magnification Device (electronic/non-electronic)	Students will be able to take the exams using zoom functionality available through the exam application. If a student uses the zoom function in the digital testing application, the font equivalents are: Level 1 (default): 15 point Level 1.25: 18.75 point Level 1.5: 22.5 point Level 1.75: 26.25 point Level 2.0: 30 point If larger than 30 point font is required, contact the College Board SSD office.
Color Overlay/Color Contrast	Students can use the color settings available through their operating system and/or computer monitor, or they can use a plastic overlay attached to their computer’s screen.
Reading and Writing Accommodations
Human Reader	Students approved for a human reader can take a digital exam using the screen reader functionality available through their computer’s operating system (i.e., text-to-speech) or their own screen reader software. If a student must test with a human reader, they’re encouraged to take a paper and pencil exam at school, if possible. Students approved for a human reader will receive an exam format enabled with time and one-half (+50%) extended time. This extended time will be enabled whether the student ultimately chooses to test with a human reader or using screen reader software. If a student is taking a digital exam and opts to test with a human reader, all reader criteria and requirements apply as detailed in the 2020-21 AP SSD Guidelines, with the exception that for the 2021 digital AP Exam administration, parents who are AP teachers may serve as a reader, if needed, for a student who is taking a digital exam at home. Review considerations about a human reader accommodation. See the AP Digital Testing Guide for updated instructions about assistive technology, including screen readers and text-to-speech.
Writer/Scribe	Students may take the digital exam using third-party voice recognition (speech-to-text) software. If a student must test with a human writer/scribe, they’re encouraged to take a paper and pencil exam at school, if possible. Students approved to test with a writer/scribe will receive an exam format enabled with time and one-half (+50%) extended time. This extended time will be enabled whether the student ultimately chooses to test with a human writer/scribe or using voice recognition software. If a student is taking a digital exam and opts to test with a human writer/scribe, all writer/scribe criteria and requirements apply as detailed in the 2020-21 AP SSD Guidelines, with the exception that for the 2021 digital AP Exam administration, parents who are AP teachers may serve as a writer/scribe, if needed, for a student who is taking a digital exam at home. Review considerations about a writer/scribe accommodation. See the AP Digital Testing Guide for updated instructions about assistive technology, including voice recognition software.
Pre-recorded audio (MP3 via streaming)	Students approved for pre-recorded audio can take a digital exam using the screen reader functionality available through their computer’s operating system (i.e., text-to-speech) or their own screen reader software; or they can test with a human reader. If a student must test with a human reader, they’re encouraged to take a paper and pencil exam at school, if possible. Students approved for pre-recorded audio can take a digital exam using the screen reader functionality available through their computer’s operating system or their own screen reader software; or they can test with a human reader. If a student is taking a digital exam and opts to test with a human reader, all reader criteria and requirements apply as detailed in the 2020-21 AP SSD Guidelines, with the exception that for the 2021 digital AP Exam administration, parents who are AP teachers may serve as a reader, if needed, for a student who is taking a digital exam at home. See the AP Digital Testing Guide for updated instructions about assistive technology, including screen readers and text-to-speech.
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology	Students will be able to take the exams using approved assistive technology software. If a student is testing at home and doesn't have access to the approved assistive technology, they can have someone at home assist them with reading, capturing responses, and/or navigating the exam. See the AP AP Digital Testing Guide for updated instructions about assistive technology
Assistive Technology Compatible (ATC) Test Format	Students approved for an ATC test format may test using the digital exam, or for some subjects using an ATC-format exam. ATC-format exams are available for AP Calculus (AB/BC), AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, and AP Statistics. For other subjects for which an ATC-format is typically available, students will be able to test using this year’s digital exam during Administration 2 or Administration 3. See details about ATC.
Word Processors, Calculators
Computer Word Processing (for essays only)	Students can either: Test with the digital exam, either in school or at home (if authorized), using a computer following the 2021 digital AP Exam device policies. Per usual procedures, test with the paper exam in school during an available administration using a school-issued computer to type their essay.
Four-Function Calculator	For applicable exams, students will use their own four-function calculator.
Limited Time
Limited Time Multiple-Day Testing	Digital exam options will be available to support students approved for limited time or multiple day testing over two days. Exam administration instructions will be provided to schools with students testing with these accommodations.
Audio
Auditory Amplification/FM System	Students can adjust the sound on the computer used for testing.

Accommodations with No Exam System Requirements

Accommodations that don’t involve assistive technology or a change to exam timing or breaks don’t require a special format of the digital exam. A few examples of these types of accommodations include permission for small group testing, for food/drink, to test blood sugar, and for medication. These types of accommodations can be used by students with approvals from the College Board SSD office and won’t be reflected in the digital exam platform.