Getting Students Ready for Digital AP Exams

Share this information with students to help them prepare for digital testing, try a test preview in the Bluebook™ testing app, and understand accommodations for digital AP Exams.  

The Digital Testing Experience  

Students should expect a new experience when they take a digital AP Exam. It’s not just about clicking instead of bubbling, it’s about a more self-directed exam day. 

Students should be ready to: 

  • Sign in to Bluebook with their College Board account. 
  • Read most instructions on their device—students will only hear a few instructions from their proctor before they start testing. 
  • Take their break (if applicable) when Bluebook notifies them to. 
  • Use digital equivalents of the accommodations they use on paper exams. 

Try a Test Preview in Bluebook 

Encourage students to try a test preview in the Bluebook testing app. 

As soon as Bluebook is downloaded to a student’s device, and they have signed in with their College Board account, they should explore sample AP Exam questions and get familiar with the testing tools in the app.

Test previews are not timed or scored, and students won’t receive feedback on their answers.

Digital Testing Accommodations 

Help students understand digital testing accommodations. 

AP coordinators and SSD coordinators should meet with students to make sure they understand how their College Board–approved accommodations will work on exam day.  

Specific configuration steps are needed for some types of assistive technology used with the Bluebook testing app. Share configuration details with students who will be testing using assistive technology prior to exam day. Encourage these students to try a test preview using their assistive technology alongside Bluebook. 

Learn more about accommodations for digital AP Exams. 

Resources