SSD Updates
College Board will be making the following changes beginning in Spring 2025:
- Embedded Text to Speech in Bluebook
- Extended Time
- Temporary Supports
- Accommodation Names
Embedded Text to Speech in Bluebook
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. This built-in tool eliminates the need for external technology, reducing configuration issues and provides a more standardized experience for students across different devices. No configuration will be required.
Students who wish to use their own third-party screen reader or text to speech technology will still be able to do so. However, this is another option to assist students who need it.
Embedded text to speech will be available for all tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9 and practice tests), and for digital AP Exams (fully digital and hybrid digital).
FAQs:
- Will students need to submit an accommodations request for Text to Speech in Bluebook?
- What needs to be done for students who currently are approved for Screenreader who want to use the new embedded tool?
- Will students approved for Text to Speech (Embedded) receive extended time?
- Will students be able to practice with the new TTS functionality in Bluebook?
- Will the technical requirements for Bluebook change as a result of adding embedded TTS?
- Will students have the ability to change the speed that the test is being read via the TTS tool?
- What other functionality will be included in the embedded TTS tool?
- Will students who want to use third-party software still be able to?
- How do I know if a student needs Text-to-Speech (Embedded) or Screen Reader (Non-Embedded)?
Extended Time
Starting in Spring 2025, students with extended time (time and one-half, double time, or more) will have the option of moving to the next part of the test before their full extended time expires, once the standard testing time has passed. While students are encouraged to use all of the time that they need and are approved for, they will not be required to stay for their full extended time if they finish testing or are ready to move on sooner.
This new policy applies to all exams in Bluebook, including the full SAT Suite of Assessments (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9) and also to AP Exams. It applies to students who are approved for an accommodation of extended time, as well as, for applicable exams, to students who are approved for extended time as an English Learner accommodation (EL), State-allowed accommodation (SAA), or temporary support.
- For example, in Section 1, Module 1, of the SAT, where standard time is 32 minutes and time and one-half is 48 minutes, students will be able to move on after 32 minutes. On the Check Your Work screen, which students see after completing the last question of a module, a Next button will appear.
- The button will be inactive until after the standard time for that module (e.g., 32 minutes) has passed.
- Once a student leaves a module or part, regardless of how much time they take once the standard time has expired, they will not be able to return to it to view, change, or give answers.
- Students will be required to confirm their understanding of this when they click Next.
FAQs:
- How will this policy change work for the SAT Suite of Assessments?
- How will this policy change work for digital AP Exams?
- Will students testing over multiple days have the same options?
- Does this change the accommodations request process?
- Will breaks/break screens change?
- Why is College Board changing its policy regarding how extended time is used by students?
Temporary Supports
Beginning in Spring 2025, the process for requesting supports for students with a temporary impairment (such as a broken arm) will be streamlined. SSD Coordinators will be able to request temporary supports in SSD Online in the same way that other accommodations and supports are requested. From the SSD dashboard, Coordinators will select New Request, and then select Request Temporary Impairment Support. Documentation can be uploaded through SSD Online, and the students will appear in the school’s SSD Online dashboard.
Temporary supports are available for SAT (seniors only) and AP Exams (all grades). For state-provided assessments
only, temporary supports are available for SAT (all grades), PSAT 10 and PSAT 8/9.
FAQs:
- When should temporary supports be submitted?
- Why are temporary supports available only for seniors for the SAT?
Accommodation Names
In 2025, some accommodation names will be updated to increase clarity and consistency with digital testing. For example, Large Print Test Book - 14 point will be changed to Large Print for Paper Exams (AP and Other if Approved) - 14 Point to reflect that the accommodation does not apply to digital tests. There will be no changes in the way that the accommodations are requested or administered – Only the names will change. Additionally, extended time accommodations (e.g., Reading: Time and One-Half, Math: Double Time) will be changed to Reading: Up to Time and One-Half and Math: Up to Double Time to reflect that students will no longer need to stay for the entire amount of extended time.