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Reading and Seeing Accommodations

When taking the digital SAT, digital PSAT-related assessments, or a digital AP exam, some universal tools are available to all test-takers without the need for an accommodation. Examples include zoom, annotate (highlighter), option eliminator, and others. See Using Bluebook Testing Tools for more information about universal tools. See Using Accommodations on Digital Tests for more information about accommodations.

There are a variety of accommodations offered to students who have a documented disability that impacts their capacity to read or see.

Eligibility

Disabilities may include blindness, other visual impairment, or a severe reading disability.

If a student is able to read, but read slowly, extended time may be a more appropriate request than a reading and seeing accommodation.

Examples

Requests must specify which accommodation is needed. Common examples include:

  • Text to Speech (Embedded) – Beginning in Spring 2025, the Bluebook testing application will include an embedded text to speech tool for students who require reading assistance as an accommodation. See SSD Updates for more information.
  • Screen reader for digital tests. For more information see: Accommodations and Assistive Technology. Important: Try a digital practice test on Bluebook with your screen reader to make sure that there are no issues on test day .
  • Human reader
  • Braille
  • Raised line drawings (tactile graphics to use along with a screen reader or human reader)
  • Large print test book (Paper exams only)
  • Magnification device (electronic and nonelectronic). For digital tests, students who require magnification will use their device's zoom functions. For paper AP exams, magnifiers cannot have any capabilities for recording, storage, snapshot and/or transmission of data, picture, text, or other information.

Resources

Article

Documentation Guidelines: Reading and Seeing Accommodations

Guidelines for documenting a request for one or more reading and seeing accommodation.

Article

Know Your Dates and Deadlines

If a request is not submitted in time, accommodations might not be approved and in place in time for test day. Check the calendar for this year’s test dates and deadlines.

Learn the easiest, most efficient way to request accommodations for a College Board test.