Technology Overview for Digital AP Exams

Bluebook and Test Day Toolkit work together to make digital testing possible for AP Exams, PSAT-related assessments, and the SAT.  

Bluebook is the testing app students use to take exams. The app must be installed on student devices before exam day. Students can access test previews in the app and try out the tools. 

AP coordinators use Test Day Toolkit to prepare for testing and oversee exam day. Proctors use it to take attendance, read the script, provide students with codes, monitor testing, and dismiss students. The toolkit doesn’t need to be installed and can be used on any device that connects to the internet. Staff sign in with a College Board professional account. AP coordinators receive an email in the spring to access and set up Test Day Toolkit.

Technical Readiness To-Do List 

AP coordinators need to complete these tasks: 

• Consult with school or district technology staff to choose testing rooms with enough network speed and strength to support the expected number of students.
• Make sure technology staff complete all other network and device readiness tasks, described below.
• Recruit 1 or more technology monitors who can use the tips in the AP Technical Troubleshooting Guide to help students with issues on exam day.  
• Direct students to download Bluebook at bluebook.app.collegeboard.org if they’re testing on personal devices. 

Contact technology staff at your school or district early so they can complete all technical readiness tasks, including these:   

• Assess school-managed devices and help decide which devices students should test on. 
• Install Bluebook on school-managed testing devices if your students are using them. 
• Shortly before exam day, confirm that testing devices have the latest version of Bluebook. 
• Make sure all necessary content filters, firewalls, and proxy servers are open on exam day. 

More details are available on the Technical Readiness Checklist.

Devices

Bluebook can be installed on these devices:  

• Personal and school-managed Windows and Mac laptops and desktops 
• School-managed Chromebooks 
• Personal and school-managed iPads and Windows tablets

Managed devices can be assigned to students 1-to-1 or shared (from a laptop cart or in a computer lab, for example).  

For Bluebook device specifications and installation instructions, go to Device Readiness.

Networks

Students need an internet connection at the start and end of the exam, but they can keep testing if their connection drops momentarily.  

Keep in mind: 

• Assigning too many students to a room can delay testing and prevent answer submission. It is critical to check your room selections with technology staff. 
• Depending on school or district policy, students and testing staff may need to access your network using personal devices.  
• Answers are saved to the testing device and submitted automatically if students are connected when the exam ends. 
• If students are not connected when the exam ends, schools must ensure that they can get back online and submit their answers. 

For minimum bandwidth recommendations, network requirements, and readiness guidance, go to Network Readiness.