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Spring 2026 AP Music Theory Technical Pilot Terms and Conditions

Introduction 

This is a legal contract between you and College Board.

Table of Contents:

Section 1. Taking the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot  
Section 2. Items You Cannot Bring to the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot  
Section 3. Behaviors That Are Not Allowed  
Section 4. Test Incentive Cancellation  
Section 5. Privacy  
Section 6. Miscellaneous  
Section 7. Policies and Requirements  
Section 8. Intellectual Property Rights  
Section 9a. ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER  
Section 9b. Venue and Waiver of Jury Trial  
Section 10. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY  
Section 11. Disclaimer of Warranties  
Section 12. Severability  
Section 13. Restricted Registrations
Section 14. Accessibility of These Rules

Note: See Section 9(a) for how disagreements between between you and College Board will be handled. 

Requirements for the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot

The AP Music Theory Technical Pilot is taken at a test site as defined below. It is administered on the College Board Bluebook™ digital testing application (“Exam App”) that is downloaded to your Testing Device.  

You will be taking an exam prototype for a hybrid AP Music Theory exam. The exam you will take is not a sample exam. It does NOT approximate an actual AP Music Theory exam. You will NOT have access to your answers or the essays you write after the exam. Your answers and essays will NOT be scored; however, we ask that you test just as you would in an actual AP exam.

As an incentive for your participation (“testing incentive”), you will be provided with a $100 gift card if you complete all required steps, including:

  • bringing a fully charged personal testing device ("Testing Device") and a wired headset with microphone
  • Installing the Exam App on your Testing Device
  • completing all sections of the digital AP Music Theory exam in accordance with the policies listed in Step 5 below
  • reporting any issues to your test proctor
  • completing the post-exam survey sent to you by email in a timely manner 

You will receive your testing incentive only if you complete all the steps listed above.

Section 1. Taking the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot

  • The AP Music Theory Technical Pilot is a digital test. You will take the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot on a testing device, using an app called Bluebook.
  • You must bring the following items (“Required Items”).
  • Fully charged Testing Device with the Exam App installed
  • Pencil for scratch work.
  • Wired Headset with Microphone.
  • You must bring an acceptable photo ID. ID Requirements are on the College Board website at satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital/what-to-bring-do/id-requirements.
  • Your testing device must be one of the following:
    • Windows laptop.
    • Mac laptop.
    • Windows tablet (external keyboard is required with a Windows tablet), or other tablet. iPad.
    • Chromebook managed by your school.
  • You cannot use any other devices to take the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot. You cannot take the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot on a mobile phone.
  • Your testing device must have enough charge to last the duration of the exam and setup.
  • Make sure your device is running on an approved operating system. See bluebook.collegeboard.org/students/approved-devices for more information.
  • Bluebook must be downloaded to your testing device before you can take the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot. If your testing device is managed by your school, your school may download Bluebook for you. It is your responsibility to check whether your school did so. If you are using your own testing device, you will need to download Bluebook yourself. You can download Bluebook from the College Board website at bluebook.app.collegeboard.org.
  • You must sign in to Bluebook using your College Board online account username (email address) and password, sign the “Privacy Policy and Use of This App” rules, and complete exam setup before the test. Bluebook will generate your admission ticket once you have completed exam setup. You will receive an email with the authentication details you’ll need to log into Bluebook and begin testing.
  • If we determine that there is a difference between your photo ID and your registration for the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot, or if the photo ID doesn’t meet our requirements (for example, if your nickname is on one field but your full name is on another), we may, in our sole discretion, deny you admission to the test site. We may also dismiss you from the test site.
  • Staff at your test site will direct you to your testing room.
  • You will connect to your testing site’s internet.
  • You MAY bring the following to the test:
    • A power cord and/or a portable charger. There is no guarantee that you will have access to an outlet for charging.
    • An external mouse and mouse pad.
    • Pen or pencil for scratch work. This pencil does not have to be a No. 2 pencil. Proctors will give you paper before the test begins.
  • Close all applications other than Bluebook before the test begins. You are not allowed to have any other apps open on your testing device during testing. You are not allowed to paste work into Bluebook from another program or application. Certain testing accommodations may allow for exceptions to this rule.
  • An internet connection is required to start the test and to submit your answers at the end of the test. You will receive instructions from your proctor on test day if there is an internet outage.
  • The AP Music Theory Technical Pilot exam consists of two sections. In the first section, you will respond to a set of multiple-choice questions. In the second section, you will answer a set of free-response questions. Once time runs out in a section, you cannot return to any questions from it. 
  • You must stay for the full length of the standard time test. You cannot submit your answers before the standard timer runs out.
  • Enter all your answers into Bluebook.
  • Do not close the lid or cover the screen of your testing device until your answers are submitted. Doing so may prevent your answers from being submitted.
  • If your answers were successfully submitted, you will see a confirmation screen. If your testing device is not connected to the internet when the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot ends and your answers are not submitted, you have until 11:59 p.m. local time the next day to reconnect to the internet and submit your answers.

Section 2. Items You Cannot Bring to the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot

You may NOT bring the following items to the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot. Prohibited items include:

  • Electronic equipment including phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, wearable technology, cameras, recording or listening devices, or any other type of electronic or communication device except for your Testing Device used for the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot and, if applicable, any assistive technology that you have been approved to use for testing as an accommodation by College Board.
  • Books, reference guides, notes, compasses, protractors, dictionaries, highlighters, or colored pencils.
  • Papers of any kind.
  • Watches that beep, make a noise, or have an alarm.
  • Detachable privacy screens for a Testing Device.
  • Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions.
  • Ear plugs.
  • Weapons or firearms.

If you do not bring the required items, or if you bring prohibited items, you may be denied admission to the in-person AP Music Theory Technical Pilot.

Section 3. Behaviors That Are Not Allowed

You are NOT allowed to do or attempt to do the following:

  • Attempt to cheat or otherwise obtain an unfair advantage on the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot.
  • Remove or attempt to remove any test questions or responses or any notes or scratch paper from the testing room, including through memorization, give them to anyone else, or discuss them with anyone else through any means, including, but not limited to, email, text messages, or the internet.
  • At any time, improperly access or attempt to improperly access the test site, the test (or any part of the test), an answer key, or any information about the test.
  • Engage in any way in (i) theft or attempted theft of test content including through Exam App intrusion; (ii) post-exam manipulation of test content, responses or test administration data; (iii) attempting to adversely impact or adversely impacting College Board or your test site’s network or Exam App through any means including cybersecurity means.
  • Attempt to give or receive assistance, including by copying or through the use of an answer key.
  • Discuss, record, copy, or share information about the test including questions, answers, or form of a test, or any other information that might compromise the security of the test at any time (including before the test, during the test, during breaks, or after the test).
  • Communicate with other test takers or other individuals in any form while testing is in session.
  • Allow anyone to see your test questions or answers or attempt to see or copy others’ test questions or answers.
  • Consult notes, other people, electronic devices, textbooks, websites, or any other resources during the test or during breaks.
  • Have subject-related information on your clothing, shoes, or body.
  • Use or access any prohibited items including devices or aids such as, but not limited to, mobile phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, other oral or written communication devices or wearable technology, cameras, notes or reference books, etc., during or in connection with the test, including during breaks.
  • Have any applications running on your Testing Device other than the web browser you are using to access the Exam App or approved assistive technology or visit any other digital resource(s) or website(s) during the test.
  • Fail to turn in or store away a mobile/smartphone in accordance with your test site’s collection process.
  • Leave the testing room permanently prior to the conclusion of all sections of the test. Students may only test in their assigned testing room.
  • Go to a locker or leave the designated testing area at any time during the test administration, including during breaks.
  • Deliberately attempt to and/or take the test for someone else or attempt to have someone else impersonate you to take the test.
  • Provide false information to College Board.
  • Disturb others during the test.
  • Consume food or drink in unauthorized areas or times.
  • Exhibit or engage in confrontational, threatening or unruly behavior, conduct, or communication toward or concerning others including, without limitation, any test taker, test administrator, proctor, employee of College Board, or College Board contractor.
  • Allow an alarm or a personal item to sound in the testing room.
  • Fail to follow any of the test administration rules set forth in these Terms and Conditions or in other registration information or directions given by the testing staff or rules of the test site.
  • Utilize or attempt to utilize any artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools, including, without limitation, AI writing solutions such as Generative Pre-trained Transformer (“GPT”) 3 and 4 and subsequent versions or developments.
  • Deliberately sabotage, damage, or attempt to remove the Testing Device from the testing room or test site during the administration of the test.

Section 4. Test Incentive Cancellation

We may cancel your testing incentive if we determine that you did not follow these rules.

Section 5. Privacy

  • Privacy Policies. College Board recognizes the importance of protecting your privacy. Our privacy policies located on the College Board website at collegeboard.org/privacy-center  (“Privacy Policies”), and also available to you under Help on the Exam App homepage, are part of these Terms and Conditions. You consent to the collection, use, and disclosure by College Board of your personally identifiable information as described in our Privacy Policies and these Terms and Conditions. College Board may update its Privacy Policies from time to time, and they are subject to change up to 1 week prior to your test /dry run date and any subsequent test dates that you register for. You are required to review the Privacy Policies located at collegeboard.org/privacy-center  prior to each test administration.
  • Testing Device and Activity Data.
    Testing Device Data: When you download and use the Exam App, College Board will receive certain information about your Testing Device, including device type, operating system type and version, applications and processes running on your device, Internet Protocol (IP) address, screen size and resolution, number of screens, available memory, storage and disk bytes, disk mount, type and size, battery level, and other device-specific information for the purposes described below.
    Activity Data: We also capture and monitor the actions you take in the Exam App, including your responses, where you click, where you put your mouse on the page, how long you spend on each page, ctrl/alt/delete attempts, and how you navigate through the Exam App.
    Testing Device Data and Activity Data: Testing Device Data, Activity Data, and Voice Recordings (collectively, “Data”) may be used by College Board to make sure your device is compatible with the Exam App, for test security purposes, for test validation and research, and to develop and improve College Board products and services. Data may be disclosed to trusted vendors, but only in their provision of services to College Board, and we may disclose aggregated and deidentified Data. Data is not sold or licensed to third parties, including without limitation for their marketing purposes or other commercial purposes. We may share Data with your school, district or state education department related to the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot you take on the Exam App, including any misuse of the Exam App. You will also be asked to type specific sentences in the Exam App. Neither data nor those typed sentences are used for biometric identification.

Section 6. Miscellaneous

  • Use of Artificial Intelligence. College Board may use artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other computational methods (collectively, "AI"), including in the development of the test and for test security purposes. The use of AI is monitored and is designed to help improve efficiency and fairness
  • For security purposes, College Board may, in its sole discretion, decline to register you or administer a College Board test to you. College Board may also cancel your registration.
  • If College Board determines that you may be in danger, we may contact your parents, your guardians, your high school, law enforcement, and others. We may share information about you, including your personal information, with those we contact.
  • Personal property that you bring to the testing site, such as purses, bags, and backpacks, may be searched. College Board may use tools that detect prohibited devices such as metal detecting wands used on individuals and personal property. College Board and testing staff may take personal property that could be used in violation of these rules. College Board will hold this property for a reasonable amount of time for investigation.
  • College Board is not responsible for any personal property.

Section 7. Policies and Requirements

  • All College Board policies and requirements described in these rules, as well as those located at https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/exam-policies-guidelines and ap.collegeboard.org and linked information therein, are part of these rules.
  • College Board may update its policies and requirements from time to time. These updates may relate to the types of testing devices that you can use for the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot. These policies can be changed up to 1 week prior to your test date. You must review these prior to each test.

Section 8. Intellectual Property Rights

  • All content contained within the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot, other practice AP/SAT tests, the Student Question Bank, the Educator Question Bank, Bluebook, College Board’s websites (CollegeBoard.org), and all software, processes, algorithms, and other technologies used in connection with these (called “CB Property”) belong only to College Board and its licensors. You have no rights in or to CB Property other than a personal license to use CB Property for its intended purposes and subject to its terms.
  • Attempting to copy, download, decompile, or reverse engineer any CB Property is strictly prohibited. Taking pictures or screenshots of the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot is strictly prohibited.
  • Test answers and other testing materials you submit to College Board are owned by College Board.

Section 9a. ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER

All disputes between you and College Board (each a “party”) that relate in any way to registering for, participating in, or taking the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot, including but not limited to requesting or receiving test accommodations, the use of your data, test security issues, will exclusively be resolved in binding arbitration or small claims court. By agreeing to arbitration in accordance with this section, you are waiving your right to have your dispute heard by a judge or jury except as set forth below. Either party can seek to have a claim resolved in small claims court if the rules of that court will allow it. Additionally, if the claims asserted in any request or demand for arbitration could have been brought in small claims court, then either you or College Board may elect to have the claims heard in small claims court, rather than in arbitration, at any time before an arbitrator is appointed, by notifying the other party of that election in writing. Any dispute about whether a claim qualifies for small claims court will be resolved by that court and not by an arbitrator. If either party elects to have their claims heard in small claims court, the arbitration proceeding will remain closed unless and until there is a decision by the small claims court that the claim should proceed in arbitration.

All claims that are not decided in small claims court must be resolved through binding, individual arbitration before a single arbitrator. The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules, supplemented by the AAA Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules as applicable, in effect at the time a request for arbitration is filed with the AAA. Copies of the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules and the AAA Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules are located at adr.org. The arbitrator will have the authority to resolve any dispute regarding the scope or enforceability of these Rules, except only a court can decide claims that a party violated the intellectual property rights of the other party. In addition, only a court can decide issues relating to (a) the pre-arbitration requirements contained in these Rules or (b) the interpretation of the prohibition of class and representative actions contained in these Rules.

Before commencing a small claims court or arbitration proceeding, that party (the “complainant”) must provide the other party (the “respondent”) with a written notice of dispute that includes the complainant’s name and contact information, a detailed description of the dispute, relevant documents, the specific relief sought, and the complainant’s physical signature (signature by counsel to the party is not sufficient). If you are the complainant, send the notice of dispute by first class mail, FedEx, or UPS. Please address to Legal Department, 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10281. Alternatively, you (or your counsel) can send the notice of dispute to [email protected]. A member of College Board’s Legal Department will then contact you (or your counsel) to attempt to resolve the dispute through informal good faith negotiations as described below. College Board will send its notice of dispute to your address as reflected in College Board’s records.

Also, before the complainant may commence a small claims court or arbitration proceeding, the parties must attempt to resolve the dispute through informal, good-faith negotiation. If the parties have not resolved the dispute within 60 days of the respondent’s receipt of the written notice of dispute, the parties will mutually schedule a settlement conference which must occur within 14 days of the completion of the 60-day period, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties. Each party must personally appear at the settlement conference (if a party is represented by counsel, their counsel may also participate), and appearances may be made telephonically or by video. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute at the settlement conference, either party may commence arbitration or file a small claims court proceeding. The statute of limitations and any filing fee deadlines will be tolled while the parties engage in this informal dispute resolution process. If any aspect of the requirements in this Subsection 9(a) has not been met, a court can enjoin the filing or prosecution of an arbitration or the assessment of any arbitration fees. In addition, unless prohibited by law, the AAA cannot accept or administer an arbitration, nor assess any fees for an arbitration, that has not met the requirements of this Subsection 9(a). If the arbitration is already pending, it must be dismissed.

If the dispute proceeds to arbitration, the complainant must personally attend all arbitration conferences, hearings, and mediations scheduled by the AAA or by an arbitrator or mediator appointed by the AAA. If the complainant is represented by counsel, the complainant’s counsel may also participate, and all participation may be made telephonically or by video except as directed by the arbitrator or mediator. If a complainant fails to personally appear at any conference, hearing, or mediation scheduled by the AAA or by an AAA arbitrator or mediator, regardless of whether the complainant’s counsel attends, the arbitrator will administratively close the arbitration proceeding without prejudice, unless the complainant shows good cause as to why the complainant was not able to attend the conference, hearing, or mediation.

This arbitration will be conducted as a documents-only arbitration (i.e., there will be no in-person or telephonic hearing) unless otherwise agreed by the parties or required by the arbitrator. If the parties agree to or the arbitrator requires proceedings, such proceedings should be conducted at a location that is reasonably convenient to both parties with due consideration of their ability to travel and other pertinent circumstances. If the parties are unable to agree on a location, the parties agree that the proceedings will be conducted via a video or telephonic call or, if face-to-face proceedings are agreed to by the parties or required by the arbitrator, at a location that is reasonably convenient to both parties in accordance with the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator may consider rulings in arbitrations involving other individuals, but an arbitrator’s rulings will not be binding in proceedings involving different individuals. The existence and content of the arbitration proceedings, including documents and briefs submitted by the parties; any correspondence from the AAA; and correspondence, orders, and awards issued by the arbitrator, will remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to any third party without the express written consent from the other party, unless disclosure to the third party is reasonably required in the context of conducting the arbitration proceedings or related court proceedings.

For disputes meeting the definition of “Mass Arbitration” under the AAA Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules, the parties agree that the dispute is subject to the AAA’s Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules and the parties agree to the appointment of a Process Arbitrator, except as may otherwise be decided by the arbitrator or the AAA.

The parties agree that the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. governs this section, and it is the intent of the parties that the FAA will preempt all State laws to the fullest extent permitted by law.

No arbitration may be maintained as a class or collective action; a party may bring a claim only on their own behalf and cannot seek a relief that would affect other individuals. Unless all parties agree otherwise, the arbitrator will not have the authority to consolidate the claims of more than 1 individual, conduct any class or collective proceeding, make any class or collective award, or make an award to any person or entity not a party to the arbitration, without the express written consent of College Board.

Payment of all filing, administrative, and arbitrator fees and costs will be governed by the AAA’s rules. If the arbitrator finds that either the substance of your claim or the relief sought was frivolous or was brought for an improper purpose (as measured by the standards set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11(b)), then College Board may seek applicable fee-shifting.

Section 9b. Venue and Waiver of Jury Trial

All disputes (disagreements) arising from or related to these rules that are not resolved under Section 9(a) shall be resolved only in the state and federal courts located in New York County, New York State, and each party to these rules irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts. Each party expressly waives any right to a jury trial in any lawsuit arising from or related to these rules.

Section 10. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT FINALLY DETERMINED TO BE PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF COLLEGE BOARD TO YOU OR ANYONE CLAIMING BY OR THROUGH YOU OR ON YOUR BEHALF, FOR ANY CLAIMS, LOSSES, COSTS, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO COLLEGE BOARD, OR ANY TEST ADMINISTRATION BY COLLEGE BOARD, FROM ANY CAUSE, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TEST REGISTRATION FEES YOU PAID TO COLLEGE BOARD (IF APPLICABLE) OR $100.00, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. IN ADDITION, COLLEGE BOARD WILL NOT BE LIABLE IN ANY EVENT FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES.

Section 11. Disclaimer of Warranties

COLLEGE BOARD MAKES NO WARRANTIES REGARDING THE AP MUSIC THEORY TECHNICAL PILOT, AP MUSIC THEORY TECHNICAL PILOT CONTENT, OR THE APPLICATION INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION A WARRANTY THAT THE TESTING EXPERIENCE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE. YOU ACCEPT THE AP MUSIC THEORY TECHNICAL PILOT CONTENT, AND TESTING APPLICATION AS IS.

Section 12. Severability

If any provision or part of these rules is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way, and, to the extent possible, the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision shall be modified so that it is valid, legal, and enforceable and, to the fullest extent, reflects the intention of the parties.

Section 13. Restricted Registrations

College Board, along with our service providers overseas, is subject to U.S. economic sanctions, laws, and regulations and is prohibited from providing testing services to, or accepting registrations from, persons residing in certain areas or designated by the U.S. government as Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (collectively, “Sanctioned Persons”), unless specifically licensed or otherwise authorized by the U.S. government. You consent to use of your personally identifiable information by College Board to verify whether you are a Sanctioned Person. If a Sanctioned Person attempts to register despite U.S. sanctions that prohibit College Board from doing business with such Sanctioned Person, College Board or a U.S. financial institution may block the registration or payments submitted by or for such Sanctioned Persons. If payment is not blocked, College Board is required to cancel the registration and may not be able to refund the payment. Please contact customer service at 888-225-5427(+1-212-632-1780 internationally) or the website of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to obtain the current list of sanctioned programs and Sanctioned Persons.

Section 14. Accessibility of These Rules

If you have difficulty accessing these rules, including our policies and requirements, please contact College Board customer service at 888-225-5427 (+1-212-632-1780 internationally) or https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/contact-us in advance of registering for or taking the AP Music Theory Technical Pilot. We will be happy to provide these rules in an alternative format or assist you in some other manner as reasonably necessary to enable you to access these rules.