Exam Accommodations

If you have a disability that affects how you test, you may be eligible for accommodations on your AP Exams.

Keep in Mind

You may be able to test with accommodations.

If you have a documented disability, you may be able to receive an exam accommodation. There are a wide range of accommodations available, including extended time, large-print exams, a written copy of spoken test instructions, and permission to use a braille device, computer, or magnifying device. Accommodations are also available for digital AP Exams. Speak with your AP coordinator and SSD coordinator if you have questions.

If you get accommodations at your school, you’re likely eligible.

If you already receive accommodations from your school or have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, you will also likely qualify.

Most students work with their schools.

Schools usually have an SSD coordinator who helps students during the accommodations request process. Most students work with their schools to submit accommodations requests online.

College Board has to approve your accommodations in advance.

In order for you to receive accommodations on the exam, College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office has to approve your request. If you test using accommodations that haven’t been approved by us in advance, your scores will be canceled.

Next Steps

FAQ

How do I know if I’m eligible for accommodations?

If you have a documented disability that limits your ability to participate on College Board exams, you may be eligible for accommodations. Some examples of disabilities include blindness and visual impairments; learning disorders; physical and medical impairments, such as cerebral palsy and diabetes; and motor impairments. There are many others.

If you already receive accommodations at your school, have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, you will also likely qualify.

Where can I find more information on which disabilities qualify for exam accommodations and how to place the request?

The Services for Students with Disabilities site offers in-depth resources for students, parents, and coordinators outlining what qualifies for accommodations, what documentation is required, how to place the request, and more.

I’ve been granted exam accommodations by College Board in the past. Do I need to apply again?

If you have previously been approved by College Board for testing accommodations (for example, when you took the PSAT/NMSQT or SAT), you do not need to submit a new request.

Once your accommodations are approved by College Board, they remain in effect until one year after high school graduation (with some limited exceptions) and can be used on the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and AP Exams.

However, keep in mind the following:

Some accommodations are administered differently across College Board programs. For example, for AP, if you’re approved for extended time, you won’t be automatically provided extra breaks. Extra breaks would need to be requested as a separate accommodation for AP.
AP Exam subjects have different components and what may be appropriate for one exam subject may not apply to another exam. For example, if you’re approved for extended time for math only, you wouldn’t receive extended time for an AP English Literature and Composition Exam.
If you’ll be taking a digital AP Exam and need to test with a human reader or human writer/scribe, your SSD coordinator will need to contact the College Board SSD office to request this.

If you have any questions about whether your existing approved accommodations are applicable for AP, talk to your school’s SSD coordinator.

I want to request accommodations without the help of my school. What should I do?

Your family can submit a paper request for accommodations without the participation of your school. Documentation must be provided for College Board to review. To download the form you’ll need and to learn more, visit How to Fill Out the Student Eligibility Form. 

In most cases, however, students work with their school to request accommodations—the fastest and easiest method. At this time, the online system, SSD Online, is not available to parents or students.

I’m a transfer student. How can I ensure that I’ll receive exam accommodations at my new school?

If you transferred schools after being approved for testing accommodations, let the SSD coordinator at your new school know about the accommodations you were previously approved for. If you need different accommodations, your school’s SSD coordinator may submit an Accommodations Change Request form for you.

Can I take a digital AP Exam with accommodations?

Yes. If you’ve been approved for any accommodations by the College Board SSD office, you’ll be able to take a digital AP Exam with the necessary accommodations. Many accommodations work the same way for digital exams as they do for paper exams, but there may be some differences. Speak with your SSD coordinator or AP coordinator if you have questions about taking a digital AP Exam with accommodations.

You may be able to test with accommodations.

If you get accommodations at your school, you’re likely eligible.

If you already receive accommodations from your school or have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, you will also likely qualify.

Most students work with their schools.

Schools usually have an SSD coordinator who helps students during the accommodations request process. Most students work with their schools to submit accommodations requests online.