Accommodations for 2020 AP Exams

Students will be able to use their approved accommodations for 2020 AP Exams. This year the way accommodations are provided may be different because the exams are shorter and will be taken online at home.

As always, students may only use accommodations that they've been approved for by the College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).

General Information

  • Students who have received approval for their accommodations don't need to submit any further requests. Their approvals will apply to this year's AP Exams.
  • Extended time will be provided through the online exam for students approved for this accommodation.
  • Online AP Exams will be compatible with assistive technology (e.g., screen-reader software) and zoom functionality in a browser.
  • The online AP Exam is optimized for use in the latest versions of Chrome (preferred), Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Before the exam, students should ensure they have access to one of the optimized browsers for the exam and determine which browser their screen-reader software works with. Students should practice using their screen-reader software in one of these browsers before the exam. Note: The online exam won't be compatible with Internet Explorer 11.
  • Online AP Exams incorporate MathJax AssistiveMML technology, which works with screen readers and braille displays to communicate mathematical content as well as offering other accessibility features.
  • Students approved to use specific devices or aids may use what they have access to at home.
  • To check the details of a student's approved accommodation, parents or students can sign in to the BigFuture site using the username and password for the student's College Board account.
  • AP coordinators don't need to submit a Nonstandard Administration Report (NAR) form this year.
  • This year only, students approved for an accommodation such as a reader or scribe may be assisted by a family or household member while testing. Review the criteria for readers and writers.

Accommodations for 2020 AP World Language and Culture Exams

This year’s AP Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish Language and Culture Exams will be taken using a dedicated app (the AP World Languages Exam App) running on a smartphone or tablet. The timed exam content is 15−22 minutes long—shorter than other subject exams—and only have speaking tasks. There are no written responses and no reading tasks for these exams. Because these exams have a different construct and administration format than other AP Exams this year, some accommodations may be provided differently. For details about how the app will work, visit the AP World Language and Culture Exams page.

Common Accommodations

Here's how common testing accommodations will work for this year's AP Exams.

Accommodation

2020 AP Exam Details

Extended Time

50% Extended Time

100% Extended Time

All exams except world languages: Students will receive extended time within the online exam platform.

World language exams: Students approved for extended time for listening and/or speaking will receive extended time within the exam app to prepare for their spoken responses for each task. Because these exams only require spoken responses, students who are approved only for reading, math, and/or writing extended time won’t need extended time on these exams.

Note: See below for details about which types of extended time apply to which exam subjects.

Breaks

Breaks as Needed

All exams except world languages: Students will receive extended time, so they'll be able to take breaks while still having enough time to complete the exam.

World languages: Because the standard timing is shorter for this year’s World Language and Culture Exams (15–22 minutes for the timed exam content), breaks as needed isn’t applicable.

Extra Breaks

Extended Breaks

All exams except world languages: Since the standard timing is 45 minutes for this year’s AP Exams, there are no breaks during the exams. Therefore, extra breaks and/or extended breaks aren't needed.

World languages: Since the standard time is 15-22 minutes for the timed exam content on this year’s World Language and Culture Exams, there are no breaks during the exams. Therefore, extra breaks and/or extended breaks aren’t needed.

Braille*

Braille Exam Materials

Braille Graphs and Figures

All exams except world languages: Students will be able to take the online exam using a refreshable braille display or screen reader. If a student doesn't have access to these, they can have someone in their household read the exam directions and content to them.

World languages: Students will be able to take the online exam using a refreshable braille display or screen reader for the on-screen exam directions. If a student doesn’t have access to these resources, they can have someone in their household read the on-screen exam directions to them.

Braille Writer

All exams except world languages: Students will be able to use their own braille writing software, if it produces a digital product that can be uploaded, or voice recognition software. If a student doesn’t have access to these, they can have someone in their household assist them with writing their exam responses.

World languages: Writing accommodations aren’t applicable for these spoken exams.

* Update About Braille Exams: A special braille AP Exam administration will be available in September 2020 for students who are already approved for a braille accommodation and registered for the 2020 AP Exam administration. Students must notify the College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office by June 8 if they would like to test during the September braille AP Exam administration. Contact College Board SSD for more information (email [email protected] or call 844-255-7728—toll free in the U.S. and Canada—or 212-713-8333).

Large-Print, Magnification, Color

Large-Print Exam (14 or 20 point)

Magnifier/Magnifying Machine

All exams except world languages: Students will be able to take the exams using zoom functionality in a browser or assistive technology (e.g., ZoomText).

World languages: Students can set their device to use its magnification capability.

Color Overlay/Color Contrast

Students can use the color settings on their home device and/or browser.

Reader, Writer/Scribe

Reader

All exams except world languages: Students will be able to take the online exam using screen reader software. If a student doesn't have access to this software, they can have someone in their household read the exam directions and content to them (review reader instructions).

Students approved to test with a reader will test with extended time.

World languages: Students will be able to take the online exam using screen reader software. If a student doesn’t have access to this software, they can have someone in their household read the exam directions to them. The reader doesn’t need to be fluent in the target language because all on-screen directions are in English.

Since the only reading necessary for these spoken exams is the instructions before the timed portion of the exam begins, extended time isn’t applicable.

Students should be aware that the screen reader may interrupt the audio portion of the exam, which automatically begins playing.

Writer/Scribe

All exams except world languages: Students will be able to take the online exam using voice recognition software, or they can have someone in their household assist them with writing their exam responses (review writer/scribe instructions).

Students approved to test with a writer/scribe will test with extended time.

World languages: Because there’s no writing portion on this year's world language and culture exams, a writer/scribe won't be needed. However, if a student requires assistance for notetaking during the preparation phase of the exam, they may have someone in their household assist them as a writer. Extended time isn’t applicable for a writer in this case.

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology

Students will be able to take the exams using the approved assistive technology software if they have access to it for their home device. If a student doesn't have access to this technology, they can have someone in their household read the exam directions and content to them, or write their exam responses.

Assistive Technology Compatible Test Format

Because all exams will be administered online, assistive technology–compatible test formats will not be needed. As noted above, students approved to use the assistive technology–compatible test format with assistive technology (such as a screen reader or refreshable braille display), or with a zoom function on their computer, will be permitted to use those devices/functions. If a student doesn't have access to these options, someone in their household can read the exam directions and content to them.

Word Processors, Calculators

Computer Word Processing (for essays only)

All exams except world languages: Students will use their own computer. This year, all students will follow the same 2020 AP Exam administration policies for device use.

World languages: Because there are no essays for these spoken exams, this accommodation isn’t applicable.

Four-Function Calculator

All exams except world languages: For applicable exams, students will use their own four-function calculator.

World languages: This accommodation isn’t applicable for these spoken exams.

Limited Time

Limited Time

Since the standard timing is 45 minutes for this year’s AP Exams (and exam content for spoken AP world language and culture exams is 15–22 minutes), most students approved for limited-time testing will be able to complete their online exam during the standard time or their approved extended time.

If a student is scheduled to take more than 1 exam in a day and their total testing time would exceed their prescribed time, contact the College Board SSD office for assistance.

Audio

Auditory Amplification/FM System

Students can adjust the sound on the device to be used for testing.

Types of extended time: Extended time is applied only on the AP Exams that correspond to the type of extended time a student is approved for:

  • Math extended time applies to Biology, Calculus AB/BC, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, and Statistics.
  • Listening/Speaking extended time applies to Music Theory and spoken world languages.
  • Reading/Writing extended time applies to all subjects except spoken world languages.

Supports for temporary medical conditions: A student who has a temporary medical or physical condition (e.g., a broken hand) may request temporary assistance if it's needed to complete the exam. This process should be used only for students who don't have a disability but who need support during the test due to a temporary physical/medical condition. Because this year's exams are shorter than normal, students might not need temporary supports. Requests must be submitted to SSD via the request form. We’re aware that some of the information may not be available due to school closures and the current situation. Please fill out the form as completely as possible. The form may be returned via fax or e-fax using the number listed on the form. If you don't have access to fax or e-fax, contact the SSD office.

Waiving accommodations: If a student wants to forgo College Board–approved accommodations on AP Exams, they must notify the College Board SSD office by email no later than April 24, 2020. The email must include SSD AP Accommodations Opt Out in the subject line; the student's full name, school, AP ID, and SSD number; the AP Exam they are taking; and the accommodation they want to waive.

  • Students under age 18 should have their parent or guardian send an email to the College Board SSD office at [email protected] acknowledging this waiver.
  • Students 18 and over may email SSD themselves at [email protected].