How to Proctor a Digital AP Exam
Detailed information is in the AP Proctor Exam Day Guide, which will be available in March 2026. Review the guide before exam day and have it available to reference while proctoring the exam.
Additional resources for proctors will be available throughout the school year.
Access Test Day Toolkit
Proctors follow instructions in Test Day Toolkit to administer digital AP Exams. Students take their exams through the Bluebook testing application.
On exam day, proctors open Test Day Toolkit on their device, sign in using their College Board account, and navigate to their assigned room before students arrive.
When an AP coordinator adds a proctor to Test Day Toolkit, the proctor receives an email with “Test Day Toolkit” in the subject line. Accessing Test Day Toolkit the first time requires 2-step verification, which can take a while, so it should be done before exam day.
Ensure Room Readiness
Proctors work with their AP coordinator to ensure all necessary materials and conditions are in place for administering the exam. Additionally, Test Day Toolkit provides prompts for proctors to check the seating and exam room to make sure they meet requirements and that all supplies needed for the exam are available.
The toolkit also provides instructions for the proctor to distribute scratch paper and any applicable exam materials, and to write the Bluebook check-in instructions and room code on the board.
Take Attendance and Complete Check-In
As students enter the exam room, the proctor will collect any prohibited devices, check identification (if needed), and begin Bluebook check-in. Students will follow the written instructions on the board to sign in to Bluebook with their College Board account information and enter the room code.
After students enter the room code, the proctor marks them present in Test Day Toolkit. This allows the student to complete Bluebook check-in, which typically takes less than 10 minutes. During check-in, students read important information about exam security and timing.
Start the Exam
Proctors monitor student progress in Test Day Toolkit. Once all students have completed check-in, the proctor distributes exam materials if applicable.
Once students have all their exam materials, the proctor reads a short script from Test Day Toolkit, checks desks, and provides students with the start code.
Students need an internet connection at the start and end of the exam, but they can keep testing if the connection drops momentarily. Their answers are saved to the testing device throughout the exam.
Monitor During Testing and Breaks
Although proctors use Test Day Toolkit to monitor student progress, they should spend most of their time observing the room. The exam room must always be supervised and break rooms should be monitored.
Note: Students start their own exam when they enter the start code. As a result, their breaks may begin and end at different times.
Except for AP Seminar, digital AP Exams have two sections with a scheduled break between them. For exams with a scheduled break, Bluebook ends the first section and starts the break when each student’s time runs out. When their break is over, the student starts the second section by clicking Resume Testing.
Note: Students may also take an unscheduled break (e.g., restroom breaks), but they will lose testing time.
Dismissal
When each student’s time runs out, Bluebook ends the exam, submitting answers automatically if there’s an internet connection. Note: For hybrid digital AP Exams, proctors need to ensure students stop writing when time is up at the end of Section II and that their exam booklets are closed.
When all student exams have finished, proctors follow dismissal steps in Test Day Toolkit to:
- Check students’ testing status to make sure it says Submitted
- Collect scratch paper and any applicable exam materials
- Return prohibited devices
Proctors should follow additional guidance about dismissal in the AP Proctor Exam Day Guide for the following scenarios, if applicable:
- Helping students with unsubmitted answers
- Dismissing students who are approved to test with timing accommodations