Reading and Writing Accommodations

Text-to-Speech (Embedded)

Beginning in spring 2025, the Bluebook testing application will include an embedded text-to-speech (TTS) tool for students who require reading assistance and have an approved accommodation for embedded TTS.  

• This built-in tool eliminates the need for external technology, reducing configuration issues and provides a more standardized experience for students across different devices.   
• No configuration will be required. 
• Embedded TTS will be available for all digital AP Exams (fully digital and hybrid digital).   
• Students who wish to use their own third-party screen reader may still do so.

For more details about how embedded TTS will work in Bluebook, including FAQs, see the latest updates from SSD.

Reading Accommodations 

Students who require reading assistance (or students who use a human reader for paper tests) may be approved to: 

• take the digital exam using the embedded TTS tool in Bluebook or their own screen reading software; or 
• test with a human reader using a digital exam. 

Update for 2025: AP coordinators and SSD coordinators should work with students to determine whether they need to test using embedded text-to-speech or screen reader software, or if they need to test with a human reader.

• To use a human reader for a digital exam, the school must request and the student must be approved for an accommodation of human reader for digital tests. If a student is approved for human reader for digital tests, they’ll test with a human reader for the entire exam (fully digital or hybrid digital).
• For hybrid digital AP Exams, because Section II uses a paper free-response booklet which includes some text and might include graphics or images, a student might need a human reader to assist them during Section II. If a student is approved for a screen reader or embedded text-to-speech accommodation, they can test with a human reader for Section II of the hybrid exam. 
• To use screen reader software or embedded text-to-speech, the student must be approved for the accommodation they plan to use.    

Requests for accommodations should be submitted by the SSD coordinator through SSD Online by January 24, 2025. If a request must be made after January 24, the SSD coordinator should submit it as soon as possible.     

If a student is taking a digital AP Exam and will test with a human reader, all reader criteria and requirements apply. 

Students approved for a human reader for digital tests or screen reader will receive an exam format enabled with up to time and one-half (+50%) extended time. Students approved for embedded text-to-speech won't receive extended time unless also approved for extended time, screen reader, or another accommodation that provides extended time.

Note: 

• The digital AP Exam cannot be accessed on multiple devices.  
• A human reader working with a student for a digital AP Exam would need to sit close enough to see the exam screen on the student’s device for the duration of the exam.  
• AP Computer Science Principles: If a student is approved to use screen reader assistive technology with their digital exam for AP Computer Science Principles, they will need to have a human reader assist them only for reading the Personalized Project Reference during Section II. An accommodations request needs to be submitted through SSD Online for any student who does not already have an approval for a human reader on record with the College Board SSD office and needs it for this exam. 

Writing Accommodations

Students who require writing assistance may be approved to: 

• take the digital exam using their own voice recognition (speech-to-text) software, if approved for dictation; or 
• test with a writer/scribe using a digital exam. 

Update for 2025: AP coordinators and SSD coordinators should work with students to determine whether they need to test with a writer/scribe or using voice recognition (speech-to-text) software.  

• To use a writer/scribe for a digital exam, the school must submit a request and the student must be approved for an accommodation of writer/scribe for digital tests. Note that if a student is approved for writer/scribe for digital tests, they’ll test with a writer/scribe for the entire exam (fully digital or hybrid digital).
• For hybrid digital AP Exams, because Section II uses a paper free-response booklet, students might need a writer/scribe to assist them during Section II. 
• To use voice recognition (speech-to-text), the student must be approved for the accommodation of dictation. 

Requests for accommodations should be submitted by the SSD coordinator through SSD Online by January 24, 2025. If a request must be made after January 24, the SSD coordinator should submit it as soon as possible. 

If a student is taking a digital AP Exam and will test with a writer/scribe, all writer/scribe criteria and requirements apply. 

Students approved for a writer/scribe for digital tests or dictation will receive an exam format enabled with up to time and one-half (+50%) extended time. 

Note: 

• The digital AP Exam cannot be accessed on multiple devices. 
• For fully digital exams, all exam responses must be entered on the student’s device being used for testing. A writer/scribe would need to type on the same device the student has used to access the exam.